Late Onslaught Dooms Wingnuts in Lincoln
August 5, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
LINCOLN, Neb. - The Wichita Wingnuts held a 6-4 lead heading into the sixth, but could not hold it as the Lincoln Saltdogs came from behind to claim a 9-7 series-evening victory Friday night at Haymarket Park.
With two on and two out in the sixth, Robby Kuzdale lined a first pitch double into left center off of Chase Johnson (4-1), tying the game at six apiece. The next batter, Freddy Flores, looped a single into shallow right, scoring Kuzdale to give the Saltdogs (40-30) their first lead of the night.
Lincoln added two more insurance runs in the next inning, as three straight hits helped the home team push the margin to three.
Wichita (44-26) got one run back in the ninth on a two-out run-scoring single by Harrison Kain, but their comeback attempt ended there, as Evan Reed closed it out to earn his 17th save.
The Wingnut offense came out hot, as Matt Chavez gave the visitors an early lead with an RBI double in the first.
The visitors tacked on four more in the second. Leo Vargas grabbed an RBI with a bounce out, and Christian Stringer then launched his first homer as a Wingnut, a two-run shot to make it 4-0. Wichita added one more a few batters later on another run-scoring knock from Chavez.
The Saltdogs followed with a four-run frame of their own in the home half. Austin Darby drew a bases loaded walk to get the home team on the board, and then a pair of errors led to three unearned tallies that brought Lincoln within one.
Wichita got one more against Saltdog starter Ryan O'Sullivan, as T.J. Mittelstaedt collected the last of three straight singles in the fourth to make it 6-4.
The Lincoln bullpen went into shutdown mode once O'Sullivan left the game. Jeff McKenzie (5-3) allowed three straight base hits to start his outing, but was helped out by a double play to keep Wichita from scoring in the fifth, and start a string of 11 in a row retired by Saltdog hurlers that ended in the ninth.
The Wingnuts and Saltdogs continue their four-game series Saturday night at Haymarket Park. Righty Alex Boshers (8-3, 3.17) will be on the mound for Wichita, while Lincoln will counter with fellow right-hander Matt Larkins (6-4, 3.06). First pitch is set for 6:35, 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 5, 2016
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- Blasters Drop Second One-Run Game to Laredo - Joplin Blasters
- Late Onslaught Dooms Wingnuts in Lincoln - Wichita Wingnuts
- Bircher Pitches Canaries to Third Straight - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Explorers Pitching Dominates In Victory Over Kansas City - Sioux City Explorers
- AirHogs Downed by Canaries Despite 2 Reynolds HR - Texas AirHogs
- After Storms, 'Dogs Outhit Nuts But Drop Opener - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Salgado Homer Lifts Wichita over Lincoln - Wichita Wingnuts
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