North Division Series Game Five Preview
September 6, 2009 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
2009 North Division Series Game Five: Wichita Wingnuts (58-38) vs. Lincoln Saltdogs (49-47)
Series Tied 2-2
Where: Lawrence-Dumont Stadium
Time: First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m.
How to catch it: Tonight's game can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at www.kgso.com
TONIGHT'S STARTERS: In a winner take all Game Five, the Wingnuts go back to right-hander Will Savage who earned the win in Game One, allowing two runs in seven strong innings. Savage went 5-7 in the regular season and finished with the fourth-best ERA in the league at 2.94. Savage made his final start of the year last Tuesday vs. Lincoln, pitching nine full innings and allowing just one unearned run. Savage made seven starts on the road during the regular season with a record of 1-5 and a 3.47 ERA. Savage was 0-3 against Lincoln this year, despite an ERA of 3.20, with all three of the losses coming at Haymarket Park. On June 23rd at Sioux City, Savage pitched the first no-hitter in team history, and the second in league history. After Sunday's season finale, Savage was honored as the team's 2009 Unsung Hero. Savage allowed three or fewer earned runs in 15 of his 19 starts and worked into the sixth inning in 16 of them. Savage was hurt by low run support this season, with the Wingnuts averaging 2.11 runs while Savage was in the game and 3.58 total runs in his starts. Wichita averaged 5.71 runs in their other 77 games. Savage and Derek Blacksher were the only Wingnuts' starters who began the year with the team and did not miss a start.
Lincoln looks to right-handed ace Jarrett Gardner to win the series. Gardner took the loss against Savage in Game One, allowing five runs on 13 hits in 6.2 IP. Gardner was 10-4 with a 4.00 ERA in 20 regular season appearances, 19 of them starts. Gardner last worked on Wednesday, taking a no-decision against the Wingnuts in which he allowed four runs in 6.2 IP. Gardner tossed a no-hitter vs. El Paso just two nights after Will Savage threw his, and matches up against Savage to open the playoffs. Gardner won his final four regular season decisions and six of his last seven. The 28-year old was 6-3 with a 3.82 ERA in 10 appearances at Haymarket Park. Gardner is the Saltdogs' all-time leader in wins and has won double digit games three years in a row. In a career that started in 2003, Gardner has walked more than two hitters just four times in 157 appearances, 126 of them starts. Gardner was 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA against Wichita, including his lone relief appearance on July 3rd. Lifetime, Gardner is 2-1 against the Wingnuts in six outings with a 3.03 ERA in 38.2 IP.
PELICANS CLINCH: The Pensacola Pelicans overcame deficits of 4-2 and 6-5 to win 7-6 over the Fort Worth Cats in Game Four of the South Division Series at Pelican Park. With the win, the Pelicans clinched the series three games to one, and earned a berth into the American Association Championship Series which will begin Tuesday night in either Wichita or St. Paul.
POSTSEASON NOTES: Lincoln's win snapped a 10-game losing streak at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, dating back to the regular season. Their 3-1 win marked their first lead in the series since winning Game Two 4-1 at Haymarket Park. The game marked only the third time in franchise history that the Wingnuts were limited to three or fewer base hits. Josh Burrus is now the only hitter in the series with at least one hit in all four games.
Tickets for Game Four are on sale now. For more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625.
American Association Stories from September 6, 2009
- American Association Recap - AA
- Saltdogs End Wingnuts Season - Wichita Wingnuts
- Hawke, McGill hit home runs; Gardner dominant - Lincoln Saltdogs
- North Division Series Game Five Preview - Wichita Wingnuts
- Pensacola Wins South Division with 7-6 Triumph - Pensacola Pelicans
- American Association Playoff Recap - AA
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