Lowell and Late Offense Pushes Wingnuts Past Gary SouthShore
Published on June 18, 2015 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
GARY, IN (June 17, 2015) - For a second straight game the Wichita Wingnuts found themselves trailing the Gary SouthShore RailCats entering the seventh inning at U.S Steel Yard. The similarities didn't end there. Just like in game one, the team took the lead on an RBI double in that frame and never looked back, giving their starting pitcher a hard fought victory. On Wednesday the big hit came from Luis Hernandez and starting pitcher Charlie Lowell earned the win.
The RailCats (13-12) scored first against Lowell (2-1) in the third inning. With two outs, Jon Jones reached on an infield single off the foot of the Wingnuts pitcher. After stealing second, he was able to touch home plate on Zac Mitchell's double down the left field line to make it 1-0. Lowell would never allow another run through seven innings on the mound, holding Gary to three hits and striking out seven.
RailCats starter Rene Solis held the Wingnuts (16-8) scoreless in his 5.2 innings on the mound before giving way to the bullpen. Kevin Osaki (0-1) recorded the final out of the sixth inning, but was pounced on in the seventh. John Nester and Dustin Geiger reached to begin the inning, causing Greg Tagert to call on left-hander Shawn O'Neill. Luis Hernandez showed bunt and pulled back to split the gap in left center, scoring both runners and giving the Nuts their first lead at 2-1. Hernandez was stranded at third.
Wichita also got to right-handed reliever Jessie Snodgrass in the eighth to extend the advantage. Matt Padgett singled to start the frame and raced to third on Joash Brodin's ensuing double. Gary (13-12) intentionally walked T.J. Mittelstaedt to load the bases with nobody out. Nester made them pay by lining a base hit to left to increase the lead to 3-1. A wild pitch allowed another run to score and the lead ballooned to 5-1 on a run-scoring infield single from Alberto Gonzalez.
The final run of the game was added in the ninth by the Wingnuts, courtesy of Mittelstaedt's fourth home run this season, a booming shot to right field. Daniel Bennett and Brad Mincey each worked scoreless innings in relief. Bennett is two appearances shy of becoming the Wingnuts career leader in games appeared in by a pitcher.
The Wingnuts will look for the sweep on Thursday afternoon at 1:10 p.m. with RHP Scott Kuzminsky on the bump. The RailCats toss Chris Cummins, their third straight lefty in the series finale. 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 June 18, 2015
- Bats Explode in First Two Innings as 'Cats Take Finale - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Nuts Dig Early Hole and Can't Climb out in 9-6 Loss - Wichita Wingnuts
- Canaries Shutout in Fargo on Thursday, Win Series 3-1 - Sioux Falls Canaries
- The Birdcage Advances to Elite-8 in Best of Indy-Ball Contest - Sioux Falls Canaries
- RedHawks Sign Englebrook, Release Blough - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- T-Bones Promotions: June 19-21 - Kansas City Monarchs
- Canaries Make It Three in a Row After 7-3 Win - Sioux Falls Canaries
- RedHawks Falter Late, Lose to Canaries - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Lowell and Late Offense Pushes Wingnuts Past Gary SouthShore - Wichita Wingnuts
- Three RBI Night by Mendonca Leads X's to Fifth Win in a Row - Sioux City Explorers
- Garner is Stellar on the Mound for Lemurs - Laredo Lemurs
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