Link Grabs Wingnuts Wins Record in Laredo
Published on June 21, 2016 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
LAREDO, Texas - Veteran righty Jon Link won his fifth straight start and earned his franchise record 28th victory as the Wichita Wingnuts snatched first place from the Laredo Lemurs with a 9-7 win at Uni-Trade Stadium Monday night.
Link (5-2) had to sweat out a rough ninth inning, as the Lemurs (17-14) attempted to rally late from a 9-3 deficit. An error, a single and a walk loaded the bases for Laredo, and they got their first run of the frame on a bases loaded free pass to Denis Phipps. Two runs then scored on a fielder's choice that saw Wichita (17-13) make their second error of the inning.
The Lemurs reloaded the bases later in the inning, and J.D. Pulfer was then hit by a pitch to bring the home team within two. After that, Frankie Reed buckled down to retire pinch-hitter Jesus Posso to lock down his fifth save of the season and push the Wingnuts into first place in the South Division.
Wichita struck first, four batters in. With a man on and two down, T.J. Mittelstaedt took Laredo starter Kyle DeVore (0-1) deep for his fifth long ball of the year, making it 2-0.
The Wingnuts stretched their lead to five in the fifth. Brent Clevlen brought home a run with a ground ball, and Martin Medina added two more to the Wichita total with a single.
Laredo broke through for the first time in the fifth. A pair of errors in the frame kept the inning alive for Zane Chavez who plated two with a single. Abel Nieves added a run-scoring tally of his own to make it 5-3.
Those three unearned runs were all the Lemurs mustered against Link, who lasted at least seven innings and earned a quality start for the fifth straight time. The win breaks the tie with Ryan Hinson who had entered the season as the Wingnuts franchise leader in career victories with 27.
Wichita padded their lead with single runs in the sixth and seventh frames, as Christian Stringer and Dustin Geiger each picked up sacrifice flies. The visitors' final two runs came in the eighth, when Zack Cox doubled in a run and Medina brought in his third run of the night on a fielder's choice.
The Wingnuts and Lemurs continue their three-game set Tuesday night at Uni-Trade Stadium. Wichita will send right-hander Alex Boshers (2-2, 4.15) to the mound, while Laredo has yet to announce it's starting pitcher for Tuesday's contest. First pitch is set for 7:05, 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.
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