Pippins Deliver Third Walk-Off of 2015

The Yakima Valley Pippins had only two walk-off wins in 54 games during the 2014 season. Friday night, they collected their third such win of 2015, knocking off the visiting Kelowna Falcons on a walk-off wild pitch in the 12^th inning.

For the second straight night, the Pippins (13-6) gave up a run in the 1^st inning and fell behind 1-0. Yakima Valley got back in the game quickly though, tying the game in the 3^rd on a RBI single by Mitch Skaggs. Skaggs delivered another RBI single in the 7^th to give the Pippins a 2-1 lead. While the Pippins made the comeback, starting pitcher Jesse Houser overcame the slow start and worked 7 quality innings for the Pippins, allowing just 3 hits and an earned run, leaving with a chance to collect the win.

However, Kelowna (10-6) pulled even in the 8^th on a two-out error by Skaggs. The Pippins cut down a double steal at home plate in the 8^th to end the frame and keep the game tied. Both teams went quietly in the 9^th to force extras between the two clubs for the second time in three meetings, and the 10^th and 11^th innings were also quiet.

In the top of the 12^th, Kelowna threatened against reliever Matt Campbell, getting a runner to second base with nobody out, but Campbell worked out of the jam to keep the game tied. In the bottom of the 12^th, the Pippins got a leadoff double from Corey Morris and loaded the bases with two outs later in the inning after a pair of walks. On a 0-1 pitch to J.R. Davis, reliever Andre Jackson delivered the game-ending wild pitch to end the night after 12 innings.

Yakima Valley extended its winning streak to four games and increased its lead in the East Division to 1½ games over Kelowna. The Pippins will go for the series win Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Nat Hamby is slated to make the start for Kelowna, while the Pippins will send Darrion Simons to the mound.

Listen in on 1460 ESPN Yakima starting at 6:55.