Blasters Best Wingnuts in Both Ends of Doubleheader
June 26, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (June 25, 2015) - The Wichita Wingnuts and Joplin Blasters entered Thursday evening's twin-bill tied atop the American Association's South Division. The Wingnuts committed a combined seven errors and waited too long to try and mount a comeback in dropping the first game 4-2 and the second 6-4.
In the opener, the Blasters (19-11) played small ball to take the first lead against new Wingnuts' starter Scott Richmond. Jake Taylor reached on an infield single to start the third inning and was bunted to second immediately by Jesus Solorzano. With two outs, Maikol Gonzalez drove an opposite field triple into the corner to put Joplin up 1-0.
In the fifth inning the Wingnuts (18-14) committed their first two errors and it proved costly. Taylor again started the frame with a single. Solorzano once again tried to lay down a bunt but it was pushed right back to Richmond (0-1). The pitcher turned and threw to second, but Luis Hernandez mishandled the ball and it rolled into center field. Jayce Ray picked the ball up and threw wildly past the third baseman which allowed Taylor to score. Gonzalez lifted a sacrifice fly to center field that increased the lead to 3-0 and then Oscar Mesa doubled home another to put the visitors up by four. All three runs were unearned. Richmond went 5.0 innings and allowed four runs, one earned, on six hits.
Wichita rarely threatened against Joplin hurler Nestor Molina (3-1) until the seventh. The right-hander entered the frame looking for a complete-game shutout, but was removed with one out. After striking out the leadoff hitter he allowed three straight hits, including Ray's two-RBI single that cut the lead to 4-2. The Blasters turned to closer Winston Abreu with the tying run at the plate and he picked up his sixth save by getting Hernandez to fly out and Taylor Oldham to strike out swinging.
In the nightcap, Joplin was on the board before the first inning concluded. The game started with an error by T.J. Mittelstaedt which Mitch Glasser built upon with a line drive single. A sacrifice bunt attempt by Mesa was mishandled by Dean and the bases were loaded with nobody out. Daniel Bennett (0-3), making his first career start, picked the runner off of third for the first out. He then hit Yanier Bello with a pitch to re-fill the bases with Blasters. Carlos Ramirez hit a fielder's choice bouncer to third to make it 1-0.
Three unearned came across the plate in the fourth inning for Joplin on one play. With the bases loaded and no outs, Gonzalez hit a groundball back to Bennett who came home for the first out. Dean overthrew first base and the ball rolled all the way into the right field corner, allowing all three runners to score and the lead to grow to 4-0.
In the fifth inning an error by Luis Hernandez started the stanza and a two-RBI double by Solorzano ended it. Both runs charged to relief pitcher Alex Boshers were unearned as the lead grew to 6-0.
The Wingnuts slowly chipped away at the lead in the final three innings against the Blasters' bullpen. Joash Brodin tallied his seventh RBI of the year when he drew a bases loaded walk from Sam Agnew-Weiland in the fifth. Matt Padgett opened the sixth inning with his second home run of the season, a solo blast to left center that cut the deficit to 6-2. Finally, in the seventh, Dustin Geiger and Padgett ripped consecutive two-out doubles off of Jacob Negrete to plate a pair and move within two. Victor Capellan emerged from the bullpen and got Dean to fly out to earn his first save of the year and complete the sweep of the night.
Brodin saw his 14-game hit streak come to an end when he went 0-3 in the first game. Boshers made his professional debut by working in both contests and allowing two unearned runs in four innings.
The series continues on Friday night when RHP Tim Brown (3-1) meets Joplin RHP Matt Parish in a 7:05 p.m. duel. The game is the Wingnuts annual Salute to America's Heroes and will feature the largest post-game fireworks show of the year courtesy of KAKEland and Kansas One Call. 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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