TULSA, Okla. — The Wichita Wind Surge (26-35) fell 7-4 to the Tulsa Drillers (36-25) in game four of a six-game series Friday night at ONEOK Field despite home runs from Marek Houston and Andrew Cossetti.
Cossetti led the way offensively, recording his 15th multi-hit performance of the season while launching his 18th home run, setting a new professional career high. Houston also went deep, swatting a two-run homer in the top of the eighth, while Jaime Ferrer drove in a run with an RBI double.
On the mound, Preston Johnson turned in a strong start, allowing one run over four innings while striking out seven. Kyle Bischoff, Jaylen Nowlin and Mitch Mueller all recorded scoreless relief appearances as the Wichita pitching staff recorded its 59th game with double-digit strikeouts this season.
THE RUNDOWN
The Wind Surge opened the scoring in the top of the second. Following a single from Cossetti, Ferrer lined an RBI double to plate the game's first run.
Johnson started on the mound for Wichita and was sharp early, allowing no hits while striking out four over his first two innings.
The Drillers tied the game in the bottom of the third, launching a solo homer just over the wall in left field to make it 1-1.
Wichita regained the lead in the top of the fourth when Cossetti launched a solo homer, his 18th of the season, to make it 2-1.
Tulsa tied the game again in the bottom of the fifth, using a pair of singles to put a runner on third before scoring on a sacrifice fly.
The Drillers took the lead in the bottom of the sixth, opening the inning with a pair of walks before scoring five runs on an RBI single, a three-run homer and an RBI double to take a 7-2 advantage.
The Wind Surge pulled two runs back in the top of the eighth when Houston launched a two-run homer, his seventh of the season, to cut the deficit to 7-4.
Wichita could not complete the comeback in the ninth, falling 7-4.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Wind Surge trail the six-game series 4-0.
- The nine game losing streak is second longest all-time.
- The Wind Surge recorded their 59th game with double-digit strikeouts this season.
- Marek Houston launched his seventh home run of the season.
- Andrew Cossetti smashed his 18th home run of the season, setting a new professional career high, and notched his 15th multi-hit performance.
- Jaime Ferrer tallied an RBI double.
- RHP Preston Johnson allowed one run over four innings while striking out seven.
- RHP Kyle Bischoff logged his 28th scoreless appearance of the season.
- LHP Jaylen Nowlin recorded his 19th scoreless appearance of the season.
- RHP Mitch Mueller notched his eighth scoreless appearance of the season.
STAT OF THE DAY
18 — Andrew Cossetti launched his 18th home run of the season, setting a new professional career high.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Wind Surge continue their six-game road series against the Tulsa Drillers on Saturday at ONEOK Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7 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.