The Chillicothe Mudcats had their win streak end at five games on Thursday at Shaffer Park, losing to the Jefferson City Renegades 4-3. The Renegades made seven errors in the field, but overcame it by stranding 10 Mudcats on base. Chillicothe had the bases loaded in the ninth inning, when Tanner Sears sent a fly ball to the right field wall. With the outfielder facing the wall, the play was ruled an out to end the game.
Two errors in the first inning allowed the Mudcats to take a 1-0 lead. With Koby Linder on the mound, he protected that lead through four innings. He stranded a runner on second base with no out in the third, and escaped a no-out, bases-loaded jam in the fourth. Chillicothe got a force out at home before turning their fifth double play of the season.
In the top of the fifth, the power went out at Shaffer Park and across Chillicothe. With enough sunlight to play through, Jefferson City scored four runs in the inning with four hits to go ahead 4-1.
The first hit of the game for the Mudcats did not come until the sixth, when Peyton Becker singled and came around to score to cut it to a 4-2 game. The Renegades had nine hits before the Mudcats had one, although Chillicothe got four men aboard via errors before their first hit.
To aid the comeback bid, the Mudcats bullpen threw 3.1 hitless innings between left-handers Joshua Rego and Nick Tampa to keep it 4-2. Chillicothe left two men on in the eighth, and were down to the final out in the ninth with nobody on base.
The Mudcats never gave in, working three straight walks to load the bases. Jordi Ventura walked to force in a run, and brought up Tanner Sears with a chance to walk it off.
Sears launched a high fly ball to right field, sending the right fielder, who was playing closer to center, into a sprint toward the wall. The fielder turned to face the wall in the right field corner to play the ball, and after a delay the umpire called for the out. The Mudcats remained on the field in astonishment for some time, but the call stood and ended the game 4-3.
The loss ended an incredible run which saw five consecutive wins after beginning 0-5 in M.I.N.K. play. They slide down a spot in the standings to fourth place, as Jefferson City moves up into third.
With an off day Friday, Chillicothe will be back at home Saturday night against the Sedalia Bombers who have lost nine games in a row.
Winning Pitcher: Tanner Graham (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Koby Linder (0-2)
Save: Brayden Groseclose (1)
Time of Game: 2:23
