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Wiley shuts off Sioux Falls rally in Kansas City win

07/03/2012 10:01 PM - After spotting Sioux Falls four runs, the T-Bones rallied and held on to defeat the Pheasants 6-4 on Tuesday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, thanks to timely pitching by T-Bones reliever Jake Wiley. The come-from-behind win marks the T-Bones third consecutive win and seventh win in their last eight home games.

Just a few outs after the T-Bones took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, Sioux Falls appeared to be headed for a big eighth. After T-Bones pitcher Drew Bailey was ejected for arguing balls and strikes, Wiley entered the game with the bases loaded and nobody out. Wiley, who has spent part of this season as the club’s closer, recorded a fielder’s choice, as third baseman Enrique Cruz retired the lead runner at the plate. Wiley then struck out Cory Morales for the inning’s second out. For the final out of the inning, Jared Bolden grounded out to first, ending the threat.

“He has closer type stuff to come in that type of jam and get outs,” T-Bones manager Kenny Hook said of Wiley. “This was the first time we’ve seen him, though, look comfortable and relish in a pressure situation.”

In a three-run first inning, Sioux Falls jumped on T-Bones starter Shaun Garcaeu (5-0). The three runs, which were unearned, gave the Pheasants an early lead. The Pheasants added another run in the top of the third inning. After that, Garceau settled in. In the middle innings, Garceau allowed only one hit, as he exited after six innings of work and Kansas City leading 5-4.

The T-Bones got on the board with a solo home run to left field by catcher Bubby Williams in the bottom of the fourth. Kansas City added two more runs with two outs in the bottom of the fifth. After Devin Goodwin doubled and Williams walked, Justin Bass socked a single to right field, scoring Goodwin. Gus Milner beat out an infield single, which scored Williams.

In the sixth, the T-Bones struck for two more runs. An error by Sioux Falls pitcher Rod Scurry tied the game at 4-4, as he made an errant throw to third trying to get the lead runner, Ray Sadler. Sadler was able to score as the throw went into left field. Jose Duran gave the T-Bones their first lead of the game by singling in Hunter Mense, making the score 5-4.

Cruz added a solo home run deep to left field for an added insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. It was Cruz’s first homer as a member of the T-Bones.

Mike Mehlich pitched a perfect top of the ninth, recording his third save of the season.

Kansas City (25-20) plays the second of a four-game series with Sioux Falls on Wednesday night at 7:05 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Tickets are available by calling 913-328-5618.