Clutch Hits, Clutch Bullpen Lead Wingnuts
May 18, 2013 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
KANSAS CITY, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts (2-1) defeated the Kansas City T-Bones (1-2) 4-3 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on Saturday night.
After falling behind 3-0 in the bottom of the first, Wingnuts' pitchers combined for eight shutout innings to finish the game, setting up a come-from-behind win.
C.J. Ziegler sliced Kansas City's lead to 3-1 with a solo home run to left field in the top of the second inning. Ziegler has homered in three consecutive games to start the season, one shy of a team record.
With two outs and no one on base in the top of the third, Ryan Khoury worked a nine-pitch at bat before grounding a sharp single up the middle to bring the tying run to the plate. Two pitches later, Jake Kahaulelio homered into the Wingnuts' bullpen in left-center to knot the game at 3-3.
Khoury gave the Wingnuts their first and only lead in the top of the fifth. With the bases empty and two outs, Jared McDonald doubled to left field. After McDonald advanced to third on a wild pitch, Khoury lined a single to right field on the seventh pitch of his at bat to make it 4-3 in favor of Wichita.
Wingnuts' starter Ryan Hinson settled in after allowing a two-out, three-run homer to Matt Padgett in the bottom of the first. Hinson retired eight of the final nine batters he faced to earn his first win of the year. Hinson allowed six hits, walked two, and struck out three.
Anthony Capra led a series of four Wingnuts' relievers who combined for four scoreles frames to close out the win. Capra went one and two-thirds before giving way to Nick Walters, who struck out Brandon Jones for the final out in the bottom of the seventh.
Daniel Bennett escaped a jam in the bottom of the eighth. With runners on second and third and one out, Bennett struck out Jairo Perez on three pitches before retiring Brandon Pearl on a lineout to right.
Josh Dew earned his first save of the year with a scoreless ninth. Dew retired Brandon Jones on a sharp groundball to first to strand the tying run on base.
Lucas Irvine took the loss for Kansas City, allowing four earned runs on seven hits in six innings. Irvine walked one and struck out four.
Seven different Wingnuts had hits in the win.
The Wingnuts and T-Bones wrap up their season-opening series on Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. Junior Guerra starts for Wichita against T-Bones' right-hander Aaron Tullo. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 92.7 KWME and worldwide at www.pressboxproductionsradio.com
The Wingnuts return home for a six-game homestand on Thursday, May 23rd when they host the Can-Am League's New Jersey Jackals. Individual tickets can be purchased by calling (316) 755-SEAT, or by visiting www.selectaseat.com
Beginning this season, fans can use cash at all points of sale in Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Debit and credit cards will still be accepted. Fans can resolve outstanding balances on cash cards from previous years until June 1st, 2013.
For season tickets, group outings, or party packages, call the Wingnuts' main office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.
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