Nuts Blow Open Close Game to Stuff Sox 13-3
Published on July 1, 2014 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (June 30, 2014) - The Wichita Wingnuts were able to score nine runs in the span of three innings on Monday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium to turn what was a closely contested 4-3 game into a 13-3 triumph over the Amarillo Sox. Jon Link turned in another quality start, his eighth in 2014, and Brent Clevlen teamed with Chris McMurray to drive in six runs between the pair.
The Sox (16-27) actually led for a brief moment at the outset of the game, when they jumped on Link (5-2) immediately. Former Wingnut, Derek Perren, hit a line drive double to begin the game and, two batters later, scored on another double by Joe Weik.
The Wingnuts (29-16) scored in each of the first three frames against the franchise's all-time leader in starts made, Derek Blacksher (1-5). After Carlo Testa doubled with one out in the bottom of the first, Brent Clevlen lined a two-out single through the middle to tie the game at one. Trevor Whyte would notch both his first home run and RBI with Wichita in the second, when he blasted a pitch over the wall in the right-center field power alley to put the Nuts in front. In the third inning, Blacksher walked the bases full of teammates for McMurray. The catcher responded with a two-RBI single to push the lead out to 4-1.
Amarillo bounced back to pull closer in the top of the fourth inning. Kyle Nichols and Kyle Bellows hit back-to-back two-baggers to make it 4-2, but that wasn't all. Jason Martin singled, and then with runners on the corners, Jeff Farnham bounced into a 6-4-3 double play that brought in a run and inched the Sox closer at 4-3. After that inning, Link put it in cruise control through 6.0 innings, giving up the three previous runs on nine hits and struck out five. He has eight quality starts (6.0 innings or over and three or less earned runs) in ten chances.
Blacksher would battle into the sixth, with his club hanging around and behind by one. That inning would end up being his demise. He allowed a couple of singles to Trevor Whyte and Chris McClendon prior to a run-scoring hit by Ryan Khoury that ended the right-hander's evening. With the Nuts now on top 5-3, Testa hit a slow roller to second against relief pitcher Kristhiam Linares, another former Wingnut, which he beat out. The late throw from Michael Broad was wide of the mark and allowed McClendon to race home as well, making it 6-3 by the conclusion of the inning.
A solo home run by Brent Clevlen, the slugger's fourth of the season, extended that lead in the seventh inning, prior to the dam bursting wide open in the eighth. In an inning that wound up with designated hitter, Corey Patton, on the mound for Amarillo, the Wingnuts amassed six runs on seven hits and two bases on balls. Jake Kahaulelio, Clevlen, J.T. Wise, McMurray, Amberson, and McClendon each earned a single RBI in the stanza that ended with the Nuts out in front 13-3.
As Alex Hinshaw and Matt Robertson had done before him, Mike Zouzalik worked a scoreless inning to put the finishing touches on the win. Testa was the only member of the lineup that did not register a run batted in. Clevlen finished 3-4 with a home run, three RBI, a walk, and two runs scored. McMurray went 2-5 with three RBI.
On Tuesday night the two teams will meet again at 7:05 p.m. The Wingnuts are currently undecided, while the Sox will turn to RHP Kellen Moen (2-1). 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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