Mittelstaedt's Big Night Ends Skid
May 26, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
JOPLIN, Mo. - T.J. Mittelstaedt drove in four, three of which came on a home run in the seventh, to help lead the Wichita Wingnuts to an 8-5 win over the Joplin Blasters Thursday night at Joe Becker Stadium. The win avoids a sweep for Wichita at the hands of the Blasters, and ends the club's three-game losing skid.
With Wichita (2-5) trailing by a run, the visitors mounted a rally against reliever Tyler Herr (0-2) in the seventh. Zack Cox started the inning with a double, his third knock of the night, and one out later Dustin Geiger was hit by a pitch, putting two on for Mittelstaedt. The Wingnuts left fielder launched a no doubter to right, his first long ball of 2016, to put Wichita back in front 7-5.
In the ninth, Mittelstaedt was at it again. With two outs, he poked a double into left center for his third extra base knock of the night, plating Geiger to give Wichita a three-run edge.
Frankie Reed came on for the bottom half of the ninth and after issuing a lead-off walk, buckled down to retire the next three, including two on strikeouts, to shut the door on Joplin (4-3) and earn his first save.
Wichita started fast on the night, plating two in the opening inning. An error allowed one run to score, while Richard Prigatano collected his team-leading sixth RBI on a fielder's choice to make it 2-0.
The Blasters pulled one back in the home half of the first on a home run, then grabbed the lead with a four-run third.
After the four-run third however, Wichita pitching turned things around and kept them in the ballgame. Tim Brown (1-0) did not allow a run over his final four innings of work, coming out after the seventh.
Seth Harvey then came in and struck out two in a scoreless eighth, while Reed followed with the same in the ninth.
The staff's stinginess allowed Wichita to work their way back in it. Trailing by three in the fourth, the Wingnuts put together back-to-back two-out singles by Christian Stringer and Cox, bringing it to a one-run margin, and setting the stage for Mittelstaedt's heroics.
The Wingnuts continue their six-game road trip as they head up to Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo, N.D., to begin a three-game series with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks on Friday night. In the series opener, Wichita will turn to righty Eddie Medina (0-1, 12.60), while Fargo will counter with fellow right-hander Tyler Herron (0-0, 0.00). First pitch is slated for 7:02 p.m. and the game can be heard on 1410 AM KGSO, as well as on TuneIn.
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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