Nuts Rub Salt in Lincoln's Wounds with 20-12 Victory
August 21, 2014 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (August 21, 2014) - The Wichita Wingnuts extended their winning streak to six games and swept a three-game series with the Lincoln Saltdogs by matching a franchise record with 20 runs scored on their way to a dominating 20-12 victory on Wednesday night. The offense combined to steal four bases, rip 23 hits, and finished off an impressive series in which they scored 41 runs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.
For the second straight night the Nuts fell behind in the top half of the first inning when Lincoln (62-26) tossed up a crooked number. Anthony Capra issued an initial walk to Matt Forgatch which was immediately followed by a run-scoring double from Luis Nunez that put the Saltdogs on top. With two outs, Brian Joynt was able to push in another run when he singled home Nunez to make it 2-0.
After going down in order in the first, Wichita (62-26) came back to grab their first lead in the second. The first four batters reached against right-hander Nick Green. Brent Clevlen and Abel Nieves knocked back-to-back singles in front of Carlo Testa, who doubled in the team's first run. Chris McClendon followed by continuing his hot streak at the plate with a two-run double to right center for a 3-2 lead.
The Wingnuts added to the lead with the first of four innings in which they plated four or more runs in the fourth inning. The first three batters reached with the third hitter, Jared McDonald, driving in a pair of runs on a line drive triple to right center. Before the inning ended, David Espinosa added a sacrifice fly and Brent Clevlen continued his torrid performance at the plate since the all-star break with an RBI double. When the inning ended the lead had increased to 7-2.
A marathon fifth inning resulted in the lead changing hands a couple of times. First it was Lincoln chasing Capra from the game by scoring nine runs on five hits in the top half. Joynt doubled in a run for his second RBI of the game before the zone tightened considerably and led to three consecutive walks that ended the left-hander's outing after the third forced in a run. Jared Gaynor entered from the bullpen and walked in a run of his own before giving up back-to-back run-scoring hits to Nunez and Jon Gaston. Ian Gac put an exclamation point on the frame by launching his 20th home run of the year, a three-run blast to center that put the Saltdogs on top 11-7.
The Wingnuts countered once again as they took the lead for good in the bottom half. Five runs crossed with the big knocks coming off of the bats of the three and four hitters. Espinosa drove in two with his 13th triple of the season and Clevlen answered with a two-run bomb off the base of the scoreboard, his 17th of the year, to re-take the lead at 12-11.
The Wingnuts blew the game open by scoring four runs in both the sixth and eighth innings off of the Lincoln bullpen. Ryan Khoury drove in three runs with his 12th long ball of the season in the sixth. That total is the highest amount of home runs hit in any single season of the shortstop's career. The big hit in the latter of the innings was a bases-clearing double to right center by catcher Brent Dean that provided the game's final score. Lincoln Scored their final run on Jon Gaston's fifth home run in the last six games against the Wingnuts in the visitor's half of the eighth.
Starting pitcher, Jason Van Skike (11-4) worked a scoreless sixth inning out of the bullpen to earn the victory. Trey Barham (2-1) was the victim of the Nuts' sixth inning outburst and took the loss. Every batter in Wichita's lineup finished with a hit and eight of the nine also drove in a run. McClendon reached base in all six of his at bats which included two walks, two singles, two doubles, two RBI, and four runs scored. With a 4-5 and three RBI day, Clevlen increased his total to 26 RBI in the last 21 games. The team's magic number to clinch the South Division title is down to five.
The Wingnuts travel south to open a four-game series with Laredo on Thursday night. RHP Tim Brown will be on the mound for Wichita against LHP Casey Harman of Laredo. First pitch is scheduled to take place at 7:30 p.m. For information on season tickets, group outings, and 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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