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Wichita Wingnuts Game Notes - May 17th, 2013

May 17, 2013 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


WINGNUTS WIN ON EMOTIONAL NIGHT: The Wichita Wingnuts defeated the Kansas City T-Bones 8-0 to win their 2013 season opener. Jon Link pitched 7.0 shutout innings to earn the win, allowing three hits and no walks. Jake Kahaulelio had four hits, including a three-run double in the bottom of the fourth and a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth. CJ Ziegler supplied a three-run homer in Wichita's half of the third. Eight different Wingnuts had at least one hit in the win. Lincoln Holdzkom and Tyler White each worked a scoreless relief inning. Prior to the game, the Wingnuts retired the number "3" in honor of their late bench coach Brian Rose, who passed away on January 31st of this year. With the win, the Wingnuts improved to 4-2 all- time on Opening Night, and 5-1 in their home openers.

ALL-TIME AGAINST THE T-BONES: The Wingnuts are 12-13 all-time against the Kansas City T-Bones, including an 8-8 mark at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The T-Bones are in their third season in the American Association, joining in 2011 after spending the previous eight years in the Northern League. Kansas City won the 2008 Northern League championship and reached the Northern League Championship Series in 2010 where they lost to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. Kenny Hook enters his second year as T-Bones' manager. Hook guided the T-Bones to a 51-49 record last year. Two-time Northern League Relief Pitcher of the Year Andy Shipman is in his second year as Kansas City's Pitching Coach. Kansas City Royals' legend and former Wichita Wranglers manager Frank White is in his second year as Hook's First Base Coach. Prior to 2003, the T-Bones were known as the Duluth-Superior Dukes-an original independent franchise that started play in 1993.

SERIES MATCHUP: The Wingnuts were 59-41 in 2012, winning the Central Division championship for a second straight year. Kansas City finished in second place at 51-49, 8.0 games back of the Wingnuts. Last year, the Wingnuts ranked second in the American Association in batting average (.291), seventh in ERA (4.41), and first in fielding percentage (.980). Kansas City was tied for seventh in batting (.285), second in pitching (4.03), and tied for 10th in defense (.967). Wichita was 6-4 head-to-head against the T-Bones in 2012.

TONIGHT'S STARTERS: The Wingnuts send former Major League righty Chris Smith to the mound for game two of their series against Kansas City. Smith last pitched in 2011 for the Triple-A Pacific Coast League's Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle). Smith made 50 Major League relief appearances with the Boston Red Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers from 2008-2010. His last start came on April 25th, 2008 with Boston's Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket. Smith allowed one hit in 6.0 shutout innings to earn a win vs. Syracuse.

Smith is 42-39 with 61 saves and a 4.02 ERA in 10 professional seasons. He has averaged 7.5 strikeouts against just 2.5 walks per nine innings in 771.0 career frames. Smith was drafted by the Red Sox in the 4th round in 2002 out of the University of California, Riverside. In addition to his time in the Majors, Smith has six years of experience at the Triple-A level, and has spent parts of four others in Double-A. In 2010, Smith saved 26 games for the Nashville Sounds, which led the Pacific Coast League, and ranked second overall at the Triple-A level.

The T-Bones go with left-hander Aaron Meade who has spent the first three seasons of his career in the Los Angeles Angels' organization. Last season, Meade split time at Low-A Cedar Rapids and High-A Inland Empire, combining for a 3-5 record with a 4.23 ERA in 32 games, 11 of them starts. Meade struck out 63 and walked 30 in 83.0 IP.

Meade was originally drafted by the Angels in the 10th round in 2010 out of Missouri State University where he earned Missouri Valley Conference All- Star honors as a junior in 2009, going 9-2 with a 3.39 ERA in 14 starts and one relief appearance. Meade is 6-10 professionally with a 4.79 ERA, averaging 7.5 strikeouts per nine innings.

FAMILIAR FACES: Nine players return from the Wingnuts' 2012 team that reached the American Association Championship Series. They include SS Ryan Khoury, 2B Jake Kahaulelio, DH John Rodriguez, 1B CJ Ziegler, CF Jared McDonald, LHP Ryan Hinson, LHP Anthony Capra, RHP Josh Dew, and LHP Nick Walters. RHP Junior Guerra, who starred for the Wingnuts in 2011, has also returned for 2013.

RETIREMENTS: Five players from last year's team have opted to retire from professional baseball. They include OF Mike Conroy, RHP Jared Simon, RHP James Baker, C Jessie Mier, and OF Steve Stanley.

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: The Wingnuts are 152-93 (.620) all-time at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. It is the highest home winning percentage for any American Association team since the Wingnuts began play in 2008.

ALUMNI REPORT: RHP Matt Nevarez (2011-12) has a 1.69 ERA for the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits (Tampa Bay) with 12 strikeouts in 10.2 IP. RHP James Hoyt (2012) has a 4.01 ERA for the High-A Carolina League's Lynchburg Hillcats (Atlanta) with 46 strikeouts and just 21 hits allowed in 33.2 IP. RHP Andrew Aizenstadt (2012) is currently in extended spring training with the Philadelphia Phillies' organization. LHP and Wingnuts' co-owner Nate Robertson (2012) has a 3.60 ERA in 15.0 IP for the Triple-A Pacific Coast League's Round Rock Express (Texas).

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