AppleSox Take On Kelowna In Third Straight Rubber Match
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The Wenatchee AppleSox hit the midpoint of their six-game homestand tonight as they face the Kelowna Falcons at 6:35 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.
The AppleSox took the first game of this series on Tuesday night with a 9-4 victory but lost last night, 11-7. While a six-run sixth inning proved the difference in the series opener it was surrendering six runs in the sixth inning on Wednesday that evened up the mid-week series.
Offense has not been an issue for the AppleSox lately despite last night’s loss. They rallied to score all seven of their runs in the final three innings to mark the fourth consecutive game that they have scored at least seven runs. The AppleSox are outscoring opponents, 37-20, in that span.
Luc Stuka has been a big contributor to the AppleSox’ recent surge. He reached base three times and score twice last night to extend a pair of different streaks. His first-of-two hits, a fourth-inning double, extended his hitting streak to six games and his eighth-inning walked extended his consecutive-game walk streak to five. Stuka has started at first base in each of the last eight games and is hitting .366 (11-for-30) with all three of his multi-hit efforts in that span.
Tonight is the AppleSox’ last of 15 consecutive games against North Division foes. They stared 0-6 after dropping each game against Bellingham but have bounced back to go 5-3 since then and have a chance to win their third consecutive series if they can take tonight’s game.
Only four games remain in the first half and the AppleSox have been eliminated from winning the first half title but sit a half game out of a playoff spot. Wenatchee entered last night’s game in sole possession of fourth place for the last playoff spot but dropped down to six in a tight eight-team North Division. Bellingham sits four games ahead of Kamloops and has already clinched the first-half North Division playoff berth.
Ryan Mullan toes the rubber for his fourth start of the summer. He is coming off a brilliant effort last Friday in which he tossed the first complete game by an AppleSox pitcher in nearly four years. The incoming freshman at Loyola Marymount allowed two runs in the second inning but also retired each of the final 17 hitters that he faced in order.
Kelowna sends Brock Keller to the bump for his third appearance of the year and second start of the summer. He is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA over five innings and has struck out six, walked three and allowed five hits. He tossed two scoreless innings relief in his last time out on June 17 against the Kamloops NorthPaws, striking out three of the eight hitters that he faced.
Tonight’s game is Armed Forces Night. All active or retired military members receive free admission by showing their military ID at the gate for the 6:35 p.m. game. Tickets are available at saferseating.com and gates open at 5:30 p.m.
Tonight’s game can be listened to live on kcsyfm.com on your computer or smart phone. If you live in Washington you can listen on your radio on any of the following stations:
· Wenatchee: 93.9 FM
· East Wenatchee/Rock Island: 98.1 FM
· Lake Chelan Valley: 95.3 FM
· Brewster/Pateros: 101.3 FM
· Okanogan Valley: 101.9 FM
· Omak/Tonasket/Oroville: 97.7 FM
· Methow Valley: 106.3 FM
Coverage of tonight’s game begins at 6:10 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show. Stick around after the game to hear the postgame show with player and coach interviews.
