Magic Number at One After Wingnuts Stun RailCats

August 22, 2013 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


WICHITA, KS - The Wichita Wingnuts (60-30) beat the Gary SouthShore RailCats (50-39) 5-4 at U.S. Steel Yard on Thursday afternoon.

With the win, the Wingnuts guaranteed themselves a playoff berth for a fourth time in five years, and trimmed their magic number down to one to clinch American Association Central Division. Wichita can clinch the division as early Friday with a home win versus Grand Prairie, or a RailCats' loss at St. Paul. The 60 wins set a franchise single-season record.

Trailing 4-2 in the top of the ninth, the Wingnuts rallied for three runs after there were two outs and no one on base. Ryan Khoury drew a walk and went to third when Jake Kahaulelio doubled off the left field wall. John Rodriguez followed with a line drive single to right that scored Khoury and Kahaulelio with the tying runs. On the next pitch, C.J. Ziegler plated Rodriguez with a line drive single to center that gave Wichita its first lead of the day.

Josh Dew worked around an error and a walk in the bottom of the ninth to record his 23rd save of the year.

Nick Walters earned the win in relief for the Wingnuts. Walters threw one and one-third scoreless innings.

Ian Durham took the loss for Gary SouthShore.

The RailCats took an early lead with four runs in the bottom of the first. Cristian Guerrero and Danny Pulfer hit back-to-back singles with the bases loaded to make it 2-0. Later in the frame, Ryan Brockett lined a single to right to drive in two more runs.

Wingnuts' starter Anthony Capra shut the RailCats down for the next five innings to keep Wichita in the game. Capra took a no-decision, allowing four earned runs on eight hits over six innings. Capra walked three and struck out four. Capra now has 101 strikeouts on the season, giving the Wingnuts three pitchers who have reached 100 or more strikeouts.

Kahaulelio and Rodriguez hit consecutive RBI fielder's choices in the top of the seventh to cut the RailCats' lead in half.

Billy Spottiswood started for Gary SouthShore and took a no-decision. Spottiswood allowed two earned runs on five hits in six-plus innings. Spottiswood walked four and struck out one.

Kahaulelio was hit by a pitch in the top of the third inning. It was Kahaulelio's 21st hit batsmen of the year, setting an American Association single-season record.

The Wingnuts return home on Friday for a three-game series against the Grand Prairie AirHogs. Individual tickets can be purchased by calling (316) 755-SEAT, or by visiting www.selectaseat.com

Beginning this season, fans can use cash at all points of sale in Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Debit and credit cards will still be accepted.

For season tickets, group outings, or 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 22, 2013


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