Falling in Finale
- Updated: June 20, 2019
YAKIMA, WA. – The Kelowna Falcons drooped the rubber match of their three-game series against the Yakima Valley Pippins with a five-run 6th inning being too much to overcome on Wednesday night at Yakima County Stadium.
For the third consecutive night, the Falcons opened the scoring against the Pippins and came as part of a six-batter 2nd inning. Tylor Nixon was able to float a single into right center field that plated Dan Pruitt from third and his second RBI of the summer gave the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Kelowna got ahead by a 2-0 score on Pippins starting pitcher Mark Finkelnburg on a hot shot to third base that ate up Owen Cobb at the hot corner. Originally ruled as a hit for newcoming catcher Ben Smith, the play was later called an error that brought Nixon home to put the Falcons up by a pair.
Another Falcon making his debut was Marcus Cain on the mound, getting the start. Cain, an incoming junior to Gonzaga University, held the Pippins scoreless through three innings before getting into trouble in the 4th frame, loading the bases before hitting a batter that allowed a run.
Ian Turner took over and committed a balk, which allowed the score to tie at 2-2. Cain’s start officially came to end with that, surrendering just a hit with two runs along with four walks and two strikeouts.
A usual rarity in baseball, a balk was called for a second straight inning and allowed the Falcons to jump ahead by a 3-2 score. With runners on second and third, relief pitcher A.J. Wood was called for the balk that allowed Matt Voelzke to score and give Kelowna a 3-2 advantage in the 5th inning.
Just as they did Friday, the Pippins mounted a rally that saw 10 batters come to the plate in the bottom of the 6th inning as Yakima Valley took the lead for the first time. Back-to-back RBI singles from Ty DeLancy and Christian Padilla before a three-run, bases clearing double off the bat of Tanner Parker finished off a big inning for Yakima Valley, who took a 7-3 leading into the late innings.
Parker and the Pippins added to their lead in the 8th inning with a two-run homer over the wall in right field for his second home run of the series and 5th RBI of the night to give Yakima Valley a 9-3 lead in the 8th.
The Falcons would get a run back in the 9th inning as Tyler Williams grounded out to bring home a run in Austen Butler, good for his 2nd RBI of the season and cap the game with a 9-4 final.
The Falcons (3-9) head back home for a weekend series against the South Division’s Cowlitz Black Bears (3-10) at Elks Stadium. The series begins on Friday night with first pitch coming at 6:35 PM and tickets available at the Falcons website as well as at the gate ahead of the opening pitch.
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