McClendon Matches Record for RBI in 12-2 Win over Explorers
Published on July 5, 2014 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
SIOUX CITY, IA (July 4, 2014) - The Wichita Wingnuts reached double-digits in the hits column for a fourth time in the last five games and Chris McClendon tied the franchise record for most RBI in a game, with seven, as the Nuts rolled to a 12-2 victory over the Sioux City Explorers on Friday night.
Sioux City scored first in the contest by getting to Wingnuts' starter, Jason Van Skike (5-2), in the very first inning. With two outs, Rene Tosoni and Andres Perez each lined a ball into the gap for back-to-back doubles, putting the Explorers (20-29) ahead 1-0.
In the top of the second is when McClendon decided to begin his takeover of the ballgame. After the first two hitters in the inning were retired by Greg Holt (2-7), Trevor Whyte and David Amberson each singled. The third baseman came to the plate and skied a three-run home run to left to give the Wingnuts their first lead, which they would never relinquish.
Wichita (32-17) followed that three-run frame by one-upping themselves and scoring four in the third. After a Carlo Testa double began the surge, Jake Kahaulelio scored him with a single. Brent Clevlen reached on an infield single and then J.T. Wise was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Chris McMurray came through with a sacrifice fly to right to advance the margin to 5-1. Following a walk and strikeout of the next two hitters, McClendon punched another two-out hit, this time a two-RBI single that made it 7-1.
The Explorers scored for the last time in the third inning. Tim Colwell reached with a bunt single to start the inning and then advanced to second on a fielder's choice groundout by Michael Lang. Tosoni came through with a sharp single to score him and cut the lead to 7-2 for a moment.
McClendon continued his hot day at the plate with a single to start the sixth and eventually came around to score on a two-out double by Kahaulelio, who finished the night 3-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. In the next frame it was abou the nine-hitter, McClendon, once again. He came to the plate for another two out at-bat and dropped a double into shallow left field that evaded the grasp of Oscar Mesa and scored Amberson to push the lead out to 9-2.
Van Skike continued to work through the seventh inning, scattering 10 hits and never allowing another Sioux City runner to get past second base. He did not record a strikeout and walked just one batter in the outing, registering his first quality start of the season in his longest outing to date.
The Wingnuts and McClendon capped everything off with a bang in the ninth. Chris McMurray reached on an error by the third baseman Tommy Mendonca, the Explorers seventh in the series, to set the stage for what was to follow. Whyte connected for a single and then runners were left on the corners after a fielder's choice groundout by Amberson. McClendon hit a slow roller up the middle that scored McMurray and made it 10-2. The run batted in was the seventh of the game for the left-handed hitter and tied him with C.J. Ziegler for the Wingnuts' record. Ziegler accomplished the feat last June against Laredo. Ryan Khoury then hit long ball number six of the season to score two more and really put an exclamation point on the night as the Nuts shutout the Explorers in the ninth to seal the 12-2 win.
Seven Wingnuts tallied a hit in the game with six of them collecting multiple knocks as the team finished with 16 as a whole. McClendon's magical evening concluded with him going 4-5 with three runs scored, seven driven in, and a triple shy of the cycle. Matt Robertson and Alan Williams each worked hitless innings in relief of Van Skike.
The series will wrap up on Saturday night as the Wingnuts send RHP Jon Link (5-2) to the mound against a pitcher that has yet to be determined for Sioux City. The game will get underway at 7:05 p.m. The game can be heard on 92.7 KWME or by heading to wichitawingnuts.com and clicking the "Listen Live" link. 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 .
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- McClendon Matches Record for RBI in 12-2 Win over Explorers - Wichita Wingnuts
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