SPRINGDALE, Ark. — The Wichita Wind Surge (13-21) dropped the opener of a six-game series, falling 7-6 in 10 innings to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (14-20) on Tuesday night at Arvest Ballpark. A walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 10th lifted the Naturals to the victory.
Khadim Diaw paced the Wind Surge offense with his 12th multi-hit game of the season, highlighted by his second Double-A home run. Diaw has now hit safely in 15 consecutive games. Marek Houston drew a walk to extend his on-base streak to 27 games, while Caden Kendle singled to extend his on-base streak to 20 games.
On the mound, the Wind Surge pitching staff struck out 11 batters, marking its 44th double-digit strikeout game of the season. Preston Johnson was outstanding in relief, tossing four scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and striking out five.
THE RUNDOWN
The Naturals opened the scoring in the first inning with two singles and a walk before plating a pair of runs on RBI groundouts. Northwest Arkansas added another run in the second on a solo home run to take a 3-0 lead.
Wichita answered in the third when Diaw launched a solo home run, his second of the season and the hit that extended his hitting streak to 15 games. The Wind Surge later loaded the bases and added another run on a walk to trim the deficit to 3-2.
Northwest Arkansas responded in the bottom of the third with a single and a double to score one run.
The Naturals extended their lead in the fifth on a two-run home run, making it 6-2.
The Wind Surge threatened in the sixth by loading the bases with two outs but came away empty after a fielder's choice ended the inning.
Wichita rallied in the seventh, scoring four runs with the help of five walks and two wild pitches to tie the game at 6-6.
After two scoreless innings, the game moved to the 10th. The Naturals lined a walk-off RBI single down the left-field line to claim a 7-6 victory.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Wind Surge struck out 11 batters, their 44th double-digit strikeout game of the season.
- Marek Houston extended his on-base streak to 27 games.
- Khadim Diaw extended his hitting streak to 15 games and hit his second Double-A home run.
- Diaw recorded his 12th multi-hit game of the season.
- Brandon Winokur extended his on-base streak to six games.
- Andrew Cossetti extended his on-base streak to 16 games.
- Garrett Spain reached base three times.
- Caden Kendle extended his on-base streak to 20 games.
- Graham Brown made his Double-A debut as a pinch hitter.
- Kyle DeBarge recorded a hit, scored a run and drove in a run.
- Jake Rucker extended his on-base streak to 10 games.
- RHP Chris Vallimont made his 10th start of the season.
- RHP Preston Johnson tossed four scoreless innings while striking out five.
TRANSACTIONS
- OF Graham Brown assigned from High-A Cedar Rapids.
- OF Kala'i Rosario assigned to Triple-A St. Paul.
STAT OF THE DAY
15 — Khadim Diaw extended his hitting streak to 15 games with his second Double-A home run of the season.
WHAT'S NEXT