Flagstaff travels to Western Kansas for an emotional series
The BDBL was rocked this week, as it learned that one of its owner had passed away. Rodney Wilkie, owner of the Western Kansas Buffaloes since 2015, was a well liked owner who passed away suddenly from a sudden cancer diagnosis. Wilkie loved the league and enjoyed rebuilding his team after taking over for Ed McGowan, who ironically also passed away from a sudden cancer progression.
However, the season must go on, but the Flagstaff Outlaws had to open the second half of the season on the road in a mourning Bill Wilkie Memorial Stadium against the Buffaloes.
Game 1: Greinke v. Hellickson – After a fitting tribute to their fallen owner, both teams take part in a moment of silence.
When the game was able to get started, George Springer starts thing off with a solo homer. In the second inning, Travis Shaw starts off with a double and is eventually singled home by Elvis Andrus.
The game stays at 2-0 into the seventh when Paul Goldschmidt adds an RBI single to push the Outlaw lead to 3-0. Brian Shaw relieved Zack Greinke in the bottom of the seventh and Adam Duvall pops his own solo homer to ruin the shutout.
But from that point, the Outlaw bullpen doesn’t allow any more runs and Flagstaff takes a 3-1 victory in the opener.
W: Greinke (13-3)
L: Hellickson (4-7)
Sv: Parker (29)
HRs: FLG – Springer (23); WKB – Duvall (9).
Game 2: Sale v. Gonzalez – After an emotional night before, the Western Kansas fans try to will their team to fight. The game is scoreless through three innings when Chris Sale doubles to start the fourth and later scores on Springer’s double.
In the seventh, Sale gets some breathing room when Goldschmidt clubs a two-run shot off Miguel Gonzalez. In the eighth, Springer cranks his own two-run shot off of Randall Delgado and Flagstaff shuts out the Buffalo, 5-0.
Sale goes 6 2/3 innings scoreless with seven strikeouts on just two hits.
W: Sale (13-3)
L: Gonzalez (2-4)
Sv: None
HRs: FLG – Goldschmidt (14), Springer (24); WKB – none.
Game 3: Wacha v. Kennedy – The Buffalo continue to struggle in this one, letting Flagstaff jump out to another 5-0 lead. Khris Davis caps a three-run first inning with a two-run shot. Davis would add an RBI single in the third and Aaron Judge clouts a solo shot in the fifth.
A struggling Ian Kennedy is lifted for pinch-hitter Ian Happ in the bottom of the fifth and Happ responds with a solo homer off of Michael Wacha.
But that is the lone blemish on the Outlaw ledger as Flagstaff cruises to a 6-1 victory.
W: Wacha (7-2)
L: Kennedy (2-8)
Sv: None
HRs: FLG – Davis (18), Judge (22); WKB – Happ (6).
Game 4: Ramirez v. Adleman – Once again, Flagstaff jumps out to a 3-0 lead in the opening half inning behind a Goldy sac fly and Judge two-run homer. But to the home fans relief, the sorrow and mourning for Western Kansas turns to anger as they fight back.
Rougned Odor pops a two-run homer in the bottom of the first to counter the early lead. Elvis Andrus gets those runs back with his own two-run shot and J.C. Ramirez helps his cause with an RBI single in the to put Flagstaff out in front 6-2. But Scott Schebler’s three-run jack gets the Buffaloes back in it. Yolmer Sanchez caps the comeback with a solo homer to lead off the bottom of the fifth and Western Kansas fights back to a 6-6 tie.
But from there, the offensive lights go out for both teams as the bullpens put up zeroes and push the game deep into extra innings.
In the 13th, all that is left for the Buffaloes is former Outlaw Ariel Miranda. Miranda finished out the tenth and got through two more innings unscathed. But Miranda tires in the 13th. He allows a leadoff single and a one-out walk to put Flagstaff in business. Manny Pina comes off the bench for the pitchers spot and delivers a go-ahead single. Andrus walks and Springer flies out to left and Travis Shaw is able to scamper home with the insurance run.
Blake Parker retires the bottom of the Buffalo order and earns his 30th save as Flagstaff sweeps, 8-6, in extras.
W: Tuivailala (3-2)
L: Miranda (4-7)
Sv: Parker (30)
HRs: FLG – Judge (23), Andrus (10); WKB – Schebler (18).