Walk-Off Provides Energizing Win for Bees

The Salt Lake Bees pulled off an improbable comeback to defeat the Sacramento River Cats on Wednesday evening at Smith’s Ballpark, using a Chad Wallach walk-off single to win by a final score of 7-6 in 10 innings.

Wallach’s bases-loaded walk off single into right field marks the eighth time this season that Salt Lake has recorded a walk off. The last time the Bees walked it off was on July 26 versus the El Paso Chihuahuas as a dropped fly ball in right field allowed two Bees to score and shock the visiting Chihuahuas. Improving its record in extra innings, Salt Lake is now 7-3 when a game is sent to extra frames.

WALLACH. WALK. OFF. WINNER! 🔥🎉 pic.twitter.com/nmX2DrmVNR

— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) September 5, 2024

Jose Suarez took the hill for Salt Lake, tallying his 11^th start with the black and yellow since joining the roster on June 24. After recording three consecutive quality starts, Suarez was unable to keep the sizzling River Cats’ offense at bay, allowing three runs on six hits through 3.2 innings while adding a trio of strikeouts. All three runs were scored in their own innings as the visitors plated a run in the first, second, and fourth innings. Michael Darrell-Hicks was the first arm out of the Bees’ bullpen and struggled to silence the River Cats offense, giving up three runs in 3.1 innings. Hans Crouse and Guillo Zuniga (W, 1-4) finished off the final three innings of relief to keep it a one-run game. On the other side of the diamond, Carson Whisenhunt made the start for Sacramento and permitted four runs to score with three coming across as earned. The lefty worked through 5.1 innings before Sacramento’s bullpen took over. Clay Helvey (L, 5-5) took home the loss, allowing the game winning run in the 10^th inning.

The River Cats struck first for the second straight game as David Villar lined a two-out RBI single into right field in the first frame. Christian Koss added on to Sacramento’s lead with a solo shot in the second inning, his fourth big fly of the season. The Bees responded in the ensuing frame with a three-run inning to take their first lead. Eric Wagaman, Jordyn Adams, and Elliot Soto all singled to lead off the inning before Bryce Teodosio roped a bases-clearing double into left field as an error allowed Soto to score from first, putting Salt Lake in front 3-2. The River Cats grabbed the lead back in the next two innings with a pair of sacrifice flies, building a small edge of 4-3. The River Cats’ advantage increased after a throwing error on Darrell-Hicks allowed two more Sacramento runs to score in the sixth inning. Salt Lake brought themselves with one run with two runs in the home half of the sixth inning as Wagaman and Adams each recorded singles to start things off before Teodosio was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Shane Methany notched his first Salt Lake hit in the following at-bat, doubling home both Wagaman and Adams to cut the deficit, 6-5. The Bees got a rally going in the bottom of the ninth as Kyren Paris and Chad Stevens drew one-out walks before Wagaman lined a two-out 0-2 pitch into left field, scoring Paris from second and forcing the game into extra innings.

WE'RE TIED! 💥

Eric Wagaman sends an RBI single into left field to level the game at six runs apiece on our last breath! pic.twitter.com/vDdtOMs7rY

— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) September 5, 2024

The top of the tenth inning came and went very quickly as Andrew Knapp put down a sacrifice bunt to move the automatic runner to third base before Hunter Bishop lifted a fly ball to right field which was caught by Adams, who fired a laser to home plate and threw out the go-ahead run. With the winning run at second, Elliot Soto walked and advanced to second on defensive indifference, setting up Matheny to get walked intentionally and load the bases. One pitch later, Wallach lined a single onto the right field warning track, scoring Adams and sending the fans home happy with a Salt Lake victory.

OH MY GOODNESS! JORDYN ADAMS FIRES A LASER TO KEEP THE GAME TIED IN EXTRAS! 😱🎯 pic.twitter.com/CMUTs773U6

— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) September 5, 2024

The Bees and the River Cats will continue their six-game battle at Smith’s Ballpark tomorrow evening with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Davis Daniel will start things off on the mound for the Bees while Carson Ragsdale is set to set for Sacramento.