Bencomo Brilliant as Wingnuts Take Series from Jackals
July 31, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
LITTLE FALLS, NJ (July 31, 2015) - The Wichita Wingnuts offense has scuffled at the outset of their 14-day road trip made necessary because of the annual NBC World Series in Wichita. In the first two games of the series, they mustered offense in only two of the 18 innings. The Nuts scored in a pair of frames on Friday night and rode the great start of Omar Bencomo to win the rubber match by a 3-1 score.
New Jersey (36-27) was the first team to reach the scoreboard as they mustered their only run off of Bencomo in the second inning. Leandro Castro reached first base with a bunt single and then stole second base. He would score on a double down the line from Jared Schlehuber to make it 1-0. Bencomo (6-1) never was in danger of giving up a run again. He retired the final 13 hitters he faced in an 8.0 inning performance that saw him fan nine hitters for the second time this year.
The Wingnuts (39-26) grabbed control of the game in the third. Gabriel Perez (7-2) walked Jayce Ray with one out and watched him quickly steal second and advance to third on a throwing error from catcher Norberto Susini. David Espinosa took advantage and lined a base hit into left field to tie the score. After another walk to T.J. Mittelstaedt, Matt Padgett smacked a base hit through the left side to put Wichita in front 2-1. Padgett has produced at least one RBI in four straight games.
Luis Hernandez added to the lead with his first home run of the year in the top of the fourth inning. The former New York Met took a fastball on the inside corner and pulverized it over the right field wall for a 3-1 cushion.
When Bencomo departed, Kevin Hooper handed the ball to his closer Dakota Watts for the ninth. The right-hander extended his streak of scoreless innings since joining the Wingnuts to 14.0 while also recording his tenth save of the season. Watts retired the side in order.
The Wingnuts will open a series in Ottawa on Saturday night at 7:05 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.
American Association Stories from July 31, 2015
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