Chase Huchingson roughed up in ninth inning of 51s’ loss
The 51s spent more than a week searching for a win.
They finally got one Tuesday, though it didn’t come easy.
On Wednesday, they looked as if they would get another, but again, it wasn’t going to come easy.
And this time, their ninth-inning blowup turned into a 10-8 loss to the Round Rock Express at Cashman Field.
“It’s definitely not coming easy at all, and unfortunately our bullpen is just completely shot right now,” Las Vegas catcher Nevin Ashley said. “They’ve been overworked for a very long time, and it showed tonight.”
It was the second straight night that a 51s reliever had surrendered at least three runs in the ninth inning.
Las Vegas pitchers issued 10 walks in the game, though when it came down to it, Round Rock did most of its damage in the ninth with hits, jumping all over reliever Chase Huchingson.
Huchingson gave up five runs in the ninth on five hits, prompting 51s manager Wally Backman to turn to first baseman Marc Krauss to retire the side to help save a tired bullpen.
Huchingson was one of just two relievers available to pitch. The other, Beck Wheeler, gave up one run in two innings after starter Robert Gsellman gave up four runs in six-plus innings.
“(The relievers) were put in situations that they’re not normally put in, especially Huchingson, but I felt he should have done a better job,” Backman said. “I know he’s been pitched a lot, but when he came in with a two-run lead in the ninth, he was going to face five out of six left-handed hitters. We just didn’t get the job done.”
Before the ninth, the 51s (58-67) had held the lead for the entire game.
They scored four in the first inning on Kevin Plawecki’s sacrifice fly and Ashley’s three-run homer.
Ashley’s home run was just his second in August, as he’s battled through a tough month.
“I think I was 0-for-20 or 0-for-21. I can’t remember, but it’s been awhile,” Ashley said. “I was just trying to keep it simple with my stance and just break it down and let my hands work, and I got a ball out over the plate and luckily I was able to help the team.”
That lead stuck until the ninth. Though the Express cut into it throughout, they never got closer than one run until the ninth.
The 51s added a run each in the third, fourth and eighth before taking a 7-5 advantage into the ninth.
Huchingson gave up a single before striking out Joey Gallo. After another single, Jared Hoying’s two-run home run put the 51s behind for the first time, 8-7.
After retiring one more batter and then giving up a walk, back-to-back doubles off Huchingson helped pad Round Rock’s lead.
Las Vegas had a chance in the bottom of the inning with a few hits, though a base-running mistake by Gavin Cecchini trying to stretch a single into a double changed the complexion of the inning.
“It’s frustrating,” Ashley said. “We go out there and we want to win every game, and it’s frustrating when we put it together like that and we lose in a heartbreaker like that one, especially the way we’ve been going.”
Up next
Who: Round Rock Express at Las
When: 7:05 p.m. Thursday
Where: Cashman Field
Starters: Austin Bibens-Dirkx (2-1, 4.06 ERA), Express, vs. Darin Gorski (3-3, 6.44)
Next five
Friday: Round Rock at Las Vegas, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday: Las Vegas at Tacoma, 7:05 p.m.
Sunday: Las Vegas at Tacoma, 1:35 p.m.
Monday: Las Vegas at Tacoma, 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday: Las Vegas at Tacoma, 7:05 p.m.
Key stat
Outfielder Michael Conforto is 13-for-19 since being sent down by the New York Mets on Aug. 12. He has recorded four consecutive multihit games since coming back.
Betsy Helfand can be reached at bhelfand@reviewjournal.com. Follow on Twitter: @BetsyHelfand
