Early Runs Allow AirHogs to Snap Skid
September 6, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (September 6, 2015) - The final score of Sunday afternoon's match-up between the Wichita Wingnuts and the Grand Prairie AirHogs was decided after just three innings of play. Grand Prairie used three straight RBI singles in the top of the third to break a 1-1 tie and take the lead. Neither team could score the rest of the way as the AirHogs snapped their American Association record 15-game losing streak with a 4-1 win.
Ronnie Richardson was in the middle of the action all day for the AirHogs (29-70). The leadoff hitter opened the game with a well-placed bunt single to the left side. Jason Van Skike (7-8) struck out each of the next two hitters to bring Victor Diaz to the plate with a runner in scoring position and two outs. The former member of the Wingnuts served a shallow single into right field to open the scoring.
The Wingnuts (58-41) rebounded quickly to even the score in the bottom half. Nick Van Stratten blazed around the bases for a leadoff double on a hard roller up the middle. A passed ball moved him up 90 feet to third base. That advancement allowed him to score on Taylor Oldham's infield single. The RBI was Oldham's 16th of the season.
The game was won in the Grand Prairie half of the third. Van Skike hit Richardson with a pitch to open the frame and watched him steal second and third base on back-to-back pitches. The AirHogs put runners on the corners when Justin Byrd worked a walk. Ridge Hoopii-Haslam, Diaz, and Michael Pair came up with run-scoring singles in three consecutive at-bats to grab a 4-1 lead. Van Skike lasted 6.0 innings and surrendered four runs on nine hits. He fanned six.
Zach Dando (5-8) stayed in the game until the sixth, although he did not record an out in that inning. He departed with two on and nobody out after walking five in 5.0 frames. Jason Jarvis was able to strand the inherited runners and held the Wichita offense without a run for 2.2 innings. Dylan Rucker finished the eighth by getting the first batter he faced to ground into an inning-ending double play. Taylor Black picked up his first save by working around a two out walk in the ninth.
The Wingnuts rolled into three double plays, each time with two runners on base and a chance to cut into the lead. Each team left nine runners on base.
The final game of the regular season is scheduled for Monday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. RHP Eddie Medina (4-1) will work for Wichita and Grand Prairie will turn to LHP Bennett Whitmore (2-11). It will be Fan Appreciation Day at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. 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 September 6, 2015
- Thunder Rolls as 'Hawks Walk-Off 5-4 vs. Amarillo - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Birds Blow Late Lead in 6-4 Loss to Blasters on Sunday Night - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Blasters Level Series in Sioux Falls, Playoff Hopes End - Joplin Blasters
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Double Win Sunday for Goldeyes - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Saints Get Second Walk-Off in Three Days, Phillips Wins It with Single in Ninth 3-2 - St. Paul Saints
- The RailCats Shut out Kansas City in a Complete Effort - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Fish Walk Off, Then Fan 11 to Take 2 - Lincoln Saltdogs
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Early Runs Allow AirHogs to Snap Skid - Wichita Wingnuts
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- 'Hawks Steal Amarillo's Thunder with 2-1 Win - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Goldeyes Force Extras, But Suspended by Rain - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Wingnuts Win Fifth Straight Division Title with Record-Breaking Performance - Wichita Wingnuts
- Saints Have Seven Game Win Streak Snapped - St. Paul Saints
- Blasters Playoff Hopes Dwindle in Loss at Sioux Falls - Joplin Blasters
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