AirHogs Swept in Wichita, Open Long Homestand Tomorrow
May 27, 2018 - American Association (AA)
Texas AirHogs News Release
WICHITA, Kansas - Catcher Ryan Wagner reached three times and picked up his second RBI of the season, but the Texas AirHogs could not avoid the sweep in Wichita Sunday, falling in the series finale 4-2. The team returns to Grand Prairie tomorrow for 10 games in the next 11 days.
Gan Quan (0-2) got the start for Texas, lasting 3.1 innings and surrendering three runs (three earned) on three hits and three walks. Corbin Osburn (1-0) got his first professional start for the Wingnuts, going five innings while limiting Texas to three hits and one run (one earned). He struck out three and walked two on his way to the win.
After falling behind 1-0 after two, the AirHogs responded in the third by loading the bases. Designated hitter Meng Weiqiang hit into a double play that scored Greg Golson to tie the game, but the team could get nothing more. Missed opportunities would prove to be a pattern: the AirHogs stranded nine, including seven in scoring position.
An Abel Nieves home run helped Wichita to reclaim the lead in the bottom of the third, and the Wingnuts built the advantage as tall as 4-1 before Wagner capitalized for an RBI base hit in the eighth vs. reliever Brady Bowen. Once again though, the AirHogs stranded the bases full in that inning. Closer Daniel Tillman left them loaded by striking out pinch hitter Chen Chen. Tillman would go on to fire a scoreless ninth to earn his second save of the series and season.
Each team finished with five hits. Yang Yanyong, Ran Song, Zheng Chaoquin, and Conor Costello combined for 4.2 innings of one-run, two-hit ball in relief. Five of the AirHogs' first nine games this season have been determined by two runs or less.
The AirHogs (1-8) return to Grand Prairie tomorrow to open a four-game series tomorrow vs. the St. Paul Saints (6-2). RHP Jake Esch (1-1) is expected to start for St. Paul. The Texas starter is TBA.
The AirHogs - powered by Beijing Shougang Eagles, will take on the Saints, Sioux City Explorers and Kansas City T-Bones as part of a 10-game homestand May 28-June 7. Individual tickets for the 2018 season are on sale now. Visit AirHogsBaseball.com for more information. For the latest news, follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @TXAirHogs. Media inquiries: jzanaboni@texasairhogs.com.
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