Clicking on All Cylinders, Nuts Beat Blasters 10-3
May 22, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
JOPLIN, MO - One night after struggling to get on the board in an opening day loss, the Wichita Wingnuts had no problems putting the bat on the ball in a dominating 10-3 victory over the Joplin Blasters at Joe Becker Stadium. Aside from the offensive fireworks on Friday, Tim Brown and two relievers managed to retire 18 consecutive hitters between the second and eighth innings to shut down Joplin's offense.
The first inning offered fans at the Blasters second-ever home game a glimpse at how the night would play out. Alberto Gonzalez singled with one down and moved to second when T.J. Mittelstaedt also knocked a base hit. The runners advanced on a passed ball charged to Carlos Ramirez before Gonzalez scored on Dustin Geiger's fielder's choice groundout to the left side making it 1-0.
Joplin (1-1) was able to even the score against Nuts' starter Tim Brown with an RBI single from Jesus Solorzano in the second inning, but then the Blasters went silent. After retiring Maikol Gonzalez on a fly ball to center to end that frame, Brown retired the final 13 hitters he faced. His final line saw him allow one run on four hits with two strikeouts in 6.0 innings. Brad Mincey followed with a one, two, three inning and then Scott Shuman retired the first two batters he faced in the eighth to stretch the streak to 18. Mitch Glasser muscled a single to center to give the Blasters their first base runner in six innings.
While this was taking place, the offense pushed the Nuts back in front and proceeded to run away with game. Luis Hernandez punched a two-RBI double down the left field line to grab a 3-1 lead in the fourth. John Nester came through with his first hit of the young season in a big spot during the fifth inning to score Geiger who had walked and stolen second base, making it 4-1.
The Wingnuts (1-1) put some distance between themselves and Joplin courtesy of a big sixth inning at the plate. Jayce Ray, who fell just a triple shy of the cycle, launched a solo home run off the scoreboard to increase the lead to 5-1. The Nuts weren't done there as Geiger drove in two more with a high pop up on the infield that nobody could corral and the lead ballooned to 7-1.
With Nester and Dean on base in the seventh inning, Ray tallied his second and third RBI of the contest with a double into the left field corner. Finally, Hernandez polished off the frame with his second run-scoring double of the game, scoring Ray to make it 10-1.
Joplin managed to plate a couple of runs in the last of the ninth off of Al Yevoli on a two-RBI single off the bat of Jake Taylor.
Hernandez, Geiger, and Ray each drove in three runs on the night, while eight of the nine Wingnuts starters scored at least one run.
Wichita will attempt to move over .500 for the first time this season as the series continues in Joplin on Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. The Wingnuts will toss 2014 all-star Jason Van Skike with the Blasters calling on former Kansas City Royal Rob Tejeda. The game will be broadcast on 92.7 KWME and can also be streamed by selecting the "Listen Live" link on the team website. The home opener against the Winnipeg Goldeyes will take place on Tuesday, May 26 th. 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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