Griffons dealt walk-off defeat by Mudcats

Griffons Cole Solomon connects for a single in the second inning of Thursday night’s game with the Ozark Generals.

Ralph Pokorny/Daily Mail

CHILLICOTHE –– A ninth-inning rally to tie the game wasn’t enough, as the Nevada Griffons fell to the Chillicothe Mudcats 4-3 in a Friday night MINK League contest.

The loss drops Nevada to 0-9 overall and 0-7 in MINK League-play, while the Mudcats improve to 5-2 overall (4-2 MINK).

Despite getting its best all-around pitching performance of the season, the Griffons were unable to make things happen on the base paths, stranding 14 runners for the contest.

Trailing 3-2 entering the top of the ninth, Nevada faced Chillicothe closer Austin Gussman, who closed out the Griffons on Thursday. Gussman, making his fourth appearance of the season, had yet to allow a run while striking out 10 batters over five innings.

The Griffons, however, were able to get to Gussman, as T.J. Martin led off the ninth with a hard-hit infield single. Oscar Larranaga followed with a bunt single. A Kainalu Pitoy sacrifice bunt advanced pinch-runner Rafael Villela Jr. and Larranaga 90 feet on the base paths.

The Griffons tied the game on a Darren Willis sacrifice fly to right field, as Villela Jr. scored from third.

With Larranga at second, Gussman struck out Marco Young to end the inning.

Griffons’ relief pitcher D.J. Alexander was brought in for the ninth, but faced only two batters, as DeVonte Washington led off the inning with a single to center field.

Compounding matters for Alexander, was a balk-call, as pinch-runner Christian Hoplock moved into scoring position.

Making his Chillicothe debut, Kody Gardner laced an Alexander offering to the right field wall, easily scoring Hoplock from second to secure the 4-3 walk-off victory.

Parker Kirkpatrick of Lawrence, Kan., started for Chillicothe, allowing two runs (one earned), five hits and three walks, while striking out four over 3.2 innings of work.

Chris Peres replaced Kirkpatrick on the hill, shutting down the Griffons, as he struck out six over 4.1 innings.

For Nevada, starter Jonah Smith worked into the fifth, allowing two earned runs and five hits while striking out five.

Riley Ulery, who entered the contest in the sixth, was impressive, tossing three perfect innings while fanning four.

Gussman (2-0) was credited with the victory, while Alexander (0-1) took the loss.

At the plate for the Griffons, Cole Solomon finished 3-for-4 with an RBI, while raising his batting average to .364. Young also collected three hits for Nevada.