The tough Santa Fe Fuego (8-2) showed no mercy against the Garden City Wind (2-12) as they picked up their second win of the seven-game series. The final score of Wednesday's game was 8-11.
Ethan Rosebeck started the game on the mound with a lead-off walk to Eddie Grimaldo, who was quickly caught stealing after a missle from Wind catcher Tyler Lundgren. Garden City got two more quick outs to end the inning.
Garden City kept Santa Fe third baseman Ruben Rivera busy in the bottom of the first, as Shea Bell, Gabe Cook, and Larry Rodriguez all grounded out to third.
The Fuego put a pair of runs on the board in the top of the second with another lead-off walk and an error before Rivera doubled down the left field line and a single up the right side by Matthew Pardo.
Brandon Cooksey started the bottom of the second with a laser to right field, recording his fourth home run of the season. Cody Ellis, Lundgren, and Rosebeck kept the bats alive with three consecutive singles. With the bases loaded, Jacob Gonzalez took an RBI hit by pitch to tie the game. The Wind took a 3-2 lead with a sacrifice fly by Bell.
Santa Fe quickly regained the lead after yet another lead-off walk and a two-run home run to right field by Chevas Numata in the top of the third.
Their lead was extended in the top of the fourth, 8-2, with most of the damage done with two outs. The half-inning consisted of four singles, a double, and a home run from the Fuego. The home run was Numata's second two-run homer of the game.
Taylor Simpson took charge on the mound for the Wind in the fifth, relieving Rosebeck. Simpson tossed an efficient inning with a rare popup to the mound, which he opted to catch himself. He gave up a single to right center, but no harm was done as Fuego pitcher Kahana Neal grounded out into a double play to end the inning.
Cooksey's bat remained hot in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI single to left field, scoring Rodriguez and keeping the Wind within four runs of the Fuego.
The Fuego continued to prove dominant in the sixth, adding another pair of runs with a third two-run home run of the game, this time from shortstop Eddie Newton.
Garden City added two more runs in the seventh to bring the score to 6-10. Cook started the inning with a single to left field and advanced to third on a Fuego error with Rodriguez at bat. Cook managed to score on a wild pitch from Fuego relief pitcher Briston Clingaman. Rodriguez followed suit and crossed home after a sacrifice fly to left by James Floyd.
Santa Fe added its 11th and final run of the night in the eighth.
Refusing to give up, the Wind scored two more runs in the eighth against reliever Ryan Harper. Pinch hitter Benly Ramos was the first to cross the plate after reaching with a hit by pitch. Gonzalez put the ball in play and ended up with a double as right fielder David Brandt lost the ball in the lights.
Ramos scored on Bell's unassisted out to the first baseman Numata shortly before Gonzalez scored on a wild pitch. With only one out, Cook stepped up and hit his third single of the night, putting on a solid performance. He was forced out, however, on a fielder's choice to Rodriguez for the second time of the night.
Rodriguez stole second and third, recording a notable three stolen bases on the night.
Despite numerous comeback attempts, the Wind was unable to defeat the Fuego, dropping the second game of the series 8-11.
Also making appearances on the mound for the Wind were Jacob Terry and Chip White, and Ryan Blinderman.
Rosebeck ended his outing with eight runs (one unearned), 10 hits, two strikeouts, and three walks in four innings pitched. He picked up the loss in his first start of the season.
Kahana Neal (2-0) picked up his second win in five innings pitched, giving up four runs, eight hits, and one walk. Neal also recorded three strikeouts.
The series continues at Clint Lightner Stadium on Thursday evening with the first pitch being thrown at 6:30.
