WICHITA, Kan. — The Wichita Wind Surge (19-23) took game three of a six-game series with a 5-1 win over the Corpus Christi Hooks (21-21) Thursday night at Equity Bank Park, powered by home runs from Caden Kendle and Garrett Spain, who have combined for nine homers over the last five games.
Kendle led the offense with his 10th multi-hit and seventh multi-RBI performances of the season, including a 464-foot home run that gave the Surge an early lead. Spain also went deep, launching his fifth home run in the last five games. Marek Houston collected multiple hits and drove in a run, giving him back-to-back multi-hit games.
On the mound, Riley Quick and Chris Vallimont combined for eight strong innings. Quick allowed one run over four innings while striking out four, and Vallimont followed with four hitless innings of relief and six strikeouts. The Wichita pitching staff struck out 11 batters for its 47th double-digit strikeout game of the season.
THE RUNDOWN
Quick started on the mound for the Wind Surge, and the Twins' No. 7 prospect made quick work of the top of the Hooks' order, retiring three of the first four batters he faced in a scoreless first inning.
The Surge opened the scoring in the second when Kendle crushed a 464-foot solo home run, his fourth homer in the last five games, to give Wichita a 1-0 lead.
The Wind Surge added on in the third, using a pair of leadoff walks to set up an RBI single from Houston. Wichita went on to load the bases before Kendle lined a two-run single to extend the lead to 4-0.
Corpus Christi got on the board in the fourth, using a double and a single to score a run, but Quick escaped the inning without further damage. The right-hander finished his outing allowing one run on four hits while striking out four over four innings.
Vallimont entered in the fifth and dominated out of the bullpen, tossing four hitless innings while striking out six to lower his ERA to 3.64.
Wichita added insurance in the seventh when Spain launched a solo home run to the deepest part of the ballpark, landing on the Corona Cantina in right-center field. His 21st home run of the season marked his fifth in the last five games and extended the Surge lead to 5-1.
Hunter Gregory entered in the ninth and retired the side to secure the 5-1 victory.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Wind Surge lead the series 2-1.
- The Wind Surge struck out 11 batters, their 47th double-digit strikeout game of the season.
- Marek Houston recorded his 14th multi-hit game of the season and has tallied multiple hits in back-to-back contests.
- Houston drove in his 26th run of the season.
- Brandon Winokur extended his on-base streak to 13 games.
- Caden Kendle blasted his sixth home run of the season and has homered in four of his last five games.
- Kendle recorded his 10th multi-hit and seventh multi-RBI performances of the season.
- Garrett Spain launched his 21st home run of the season and has hit five home runs over his last five games.
- Graham Brown extended his on-base streak to eight games.
- Jorel Ortega extended his on-base streak to six games.
- RHP Riley Quick allowed just one run over four innings while striking out four.
- RHP Chris Vallimont tossed four hitless innings of relief, struck out six and lowered his ERA to 3.64.
- RHP Hunter Gregory tossed a scoreless ninth inning.
STAT OF THE DAY
9 — Caden Kendle and Garrett Spain have combined for nine home runs over the last five games.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Wind Surge continue their six-game series against the Corpus Christi Hooks with game four Friday at Equity Bank Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. The game can be heard on 92.3 FM ESPN Wichita and at windsurge.com, and viewed on MiLB.TV and Bally Sports Live.