Chavez, Vargas Lead Wingnuts Past Goldeyes
August 11, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WINNIPEG, Manitoba - The Wichita Wingnuts got a combined six hits and six RBIs from Matt Chavez and Leo Vargas Thursday, as they opened up their series with the Winnipeg Goldeyes by taking a 9-7 decision at Shaw Park.
With the contest tied at five apiece in the fourth, the Wingnuts (48-28) loaded the bases with two outs against Kevin McGovern (5-3). After McGovern was replaced, reliever Kyle Lotzkar uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Vargas to race home and put Wichita in front by one.
Wichita added two more in the next frame, as Vargas plated a run with a single, one of his career-high tying four hits on the night, and Brent Dean scored on a wild pitch.
The visitors then pushed their lead to four in the sixth, as Chavez blasted his 10th homer of the year, giving him four RBIs for the night, and a 9-5 lead to the Wingnuts.
After allowing four in the second and an unearned tally in the third, Alex Boshers (10-3) got into a groove, retiring 11 of 12 at one point, with the lone base runner coming on a single by Adam Heisler in the fourth, who was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double by Richard Prigatano. With the win, Boshers is the first Wingnut to reach double-digit victories in 2016, and has now won six straight starts.
The Goldeyes (44-31) closed the Wichita lead to two with a pair in the eighth, as back-to-back two-out knocks by Josh Romanski and David Rohm cut the lead to 9-7. With the tying runs on, Chad Nading induced a fly out by Wes Darvill to send the game into the ninth.
After failing to score from a bases loaded nobody out situation in the top of the ninth, Frankie Reed came on to close it out in the bottom half for Wichita. Reed hit the first batter, and one out later an error put the tying runs on the corners. The southpaw buckled down though, getting Willie Cabrera to fly out before striking out Reggie Abercrombie to seal up the win and his 16th save.
The Wingnuts jumped out to an early lead, getting a two-run double in the first from Chavez, and a solo shot by Vargas in the second to go up 3-0.
Winnipeg answered with four in the bottom of the second to go up by one. The lead did not last long however, as a pair of sacrifice flies by Chavez and Harrison Kain put the Wingnuts briefly back ahead, before an unearned tally from Winnipeg knotted the score at five.
The Wingnuts and Goldeyes continue their four-game set Friday night at Shaw Park. Lefty Anthony Capra (0-1, 6.11) will get the starting nod for Wichita, while Winnipeg will turn to righty Edwin Carl (7-5, 4.44). First pitch is set for 7:00, and the game can be heard on 1410 AM KGSO, as well as on TuneIn.
For information on 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 August 11, 2016
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- Comeback Falls Short against Wichita - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Martinez' Heroics Propel RailCats to 6-5 Victory - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Blasters Doomed by Errors and Big Inning - Joplin Blasters
- Saints March Their Way to 15-1 Thumping of Canaries - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Chavez, Vargas Lead Wingnuts Past Goldeyes - Wichita Wingnuts
- Goldeyes Add Experienced Reliever - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- RailCats Trade Pugh - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Two-Out Hits Sink Blasters in Finale Loss - Joplin Blasters
- AirHogs Drop Series Finale vs. Laredo, 4-1 - Texas AirHogs
- T-Bones Come Back, Walk off to Complete Sweep - Lincoln Saltdogs
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