"Nemesis" & Grand Larceny; Wichita Wins, 7-6

Wichita Wind Surge 7, RockHounds 6

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Riverfront Stadium Wichita, Kansas

Merriam-Webster (and they’re the folks who know these things) define a nemesis as “a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent.” By definition, then, Wichita has been a “nemesis” for the RockHounds in the Wind Surge’s inaugural season.

Austin Martin’s walk-off single in the last of the ninth gave the Wind Surge a 7-6 win Wednesday night at Riverfront Stadium. It was Wichita’s second consecutive one-run victory in the current series and the seventh in eight games against the RockHounds this season.

While the team fell short Wednesday night, the game included a remarkable individual performance - - _RockHounds second baseman Max Schuemann stole five bases. _He went 2-for-4, plus a walk, and terrorized the Wind Surge on the bases each time, stealing second three times and third base twice. Max’s thieveries pushed his season total to 41 (see “Kibbles & Bits,” below).

Schuemann’s first steal came after he singled to lead off the game and he scored on JJ Schwarz’s RBI single for a 1-0 lead. The Wind Surge, as they did multiple times in Tuesday’s series opener, answered right back. Jermaine Palacios hit a two-run home run to cap a four-run last of the first for Wichita.

Schuemann was at it again in the third. After drawing a leadoff walk, he stole second and third and scored on Jonah Bride’s sac fly. Wichita, once more, answered in the home half of the inning on Spencer Steer’s solo homer, putting the Wind Surge up, 5-2.

The RockHounds took the lead, scoring four times in the fifth with Schuemann’s thieveries light the fuse. He singled to lead off the inning and AGAIN stole both second and third (giving him thefts # 4 & 5 for the game) and Schwarz brought him home for the second time, this one with an RBI single. With two on and two out, Edwin Diaz ripped a three-run homer to left, putting the RockHounds back on top, 6-5.

The game’s only defensive miscue (for either club) then helped the Wind Surge forge a tie. Martin singled with one out and stole second … compounded by a throwing error by (catcher) Schwarz … and scored the tying run on Steer’s sac fly.

Wichita loaded the bases against relievers Jesus Zambrano and Zack Erwin with two outs in the ninth and Martin punched a 1-2 pitch from Erwin into right field for an opposite field, game-winning hit.

Kibbles & Bits

When he was promoted to the RockHounds from (High-A) Lansing on June 14 (to fill the roster spot vacated when Jeremy Eierman went on the IL), Max Schuemann was leading all of Minor League Baseball in stolen bases with 34 (in 36 attempts).

He had been quiet over his first 18 games with the ‘Hounds, stealing just two bases. He was anything BUT quiet Wednesday (five bags in one game is “baseball grand larceny”), and now has 41 steals in 43 attempts overall for the season (a .953 success rate) and is back in the top five in all of MiLB (with some games still in progress at this writing, 43 steals led the minors).

Next Game

Thursday, August 5 vs. Wichita Wind Surge

Riverfront Stadium Wichita, Kansas

First pitch 7:05 p.m.

Third of a six-game series and ninth of a 12-game road trip

Probable Starters

WIC Jordan Balazovic (RH, 3-2, 3.59)

RH Bryce Conley (RH, 5-5, 3.96)

Road Trip

August 5-8 vs. the Wichita Wind Surge at Riverfront Stadium (Wichita, KS)

Back at Rocky Town: Tuesday, August 10

A 12-game homestand, hosting the San Antonio Missions (August 10-15) and Amarillo Sod Poodles (August 17-22)