Offensive Onslaught Leads to Big 12-2 Win
Published on August 21, 2015 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS - The Wichita Wingnuts knew that their series with the Laredo Lemurs, which opened on Friday night, would be filled with opportunity. The Wingnuts have the opportunity to stretch their lead in the South Division while the Lemurs could both close the gap in the division and extend their lead in the wild card race. Wichita took advantage of every opportunity thrown their way to compile 15 hits and comfortably win the initial contest 12-2.
The Wingnuts (51-33) wasted no time in opening up the offense. Luis Pollorena (5-4) recorded the first two outs of the game himself and appeared to be on his way to a quick first inning. That changed when a David Espinosa single to the opposite field was followed by an Andy LaRoche walk. T.J. Mittelstaedt poked a run-scoring single to shallow left to put Wichita on top 1-0. The advantage grew to 4-0 with John Nester's towering shot to left field that scored three. The long ball was the catcher's fifth of the season.
Laredo (45-39) trimmed the lead in half during the top of the second. Travis Denker opened the frame with a single and was replaced as a runner on first base with a fielder's choice grounder from Kevin Taylor. Juan Silverio advanced the runner with a base knock to put two on. Drew Martinez bounced a ball to first for a potential double play, but LaRoche's throw was wide and pulled Taylor Smart off of second and everybody was safe. Phil Pohl plated the first run with a single to left and the second scored on J.D. Pulfer's sacrifice fly to right. The Wingnuts were able to tag out Pohl in a rundown to end the inning without further damage.
Jason Van Skike (7-5) held Laredo in check the rest of the way during his 7.0 innings on the mound. He limited the Lemurs to six hits and struck out a pair.
The first three hitters in the Wingnuts third reached base safely to add to the lead. Back-to back singles from Jayce Ray and David Espinosa were followed by another LaRoche walk to load the bases. Mittelstaedt knocked in his second run of the night with a sacrifice fly to center field. Nester added a fourth RBI to his credit with a run-scoring fielder's choice.
Five straight hitters came to the plate without an out being recorded in the home fourth. Two singles from Smart and Leo Vargas in front of a triple by new addition Nick Van Stratten made the score 8-2. Ray drove in the runner from third with a single over the top of a drawn in defense.
A two-out rally in the seventh put the finishing touches on the win. Harrison Kain began the attack by beating out an infield single. A Smart single bumped Kain to second with Vargas due up. The second baseman doubled to right to score the lead runner and leave two in scoring position. Van Stratten racked up his third RBI with a high chopper to short and Espinosa finished off the inning with a third single for a 12-2 margin.
Scott Kuzminsky worked the final 2.0 innings after Van Skike departed, allowing a lone hit. Pollorena gave up a season-high nine runs over 6.0 innings. B.J. Hyatt, a Lemurs reliever, also gave up a season-high in runs when he allowed three on five hits in the seventh.
Every batter in the starting lineup for the Wingnuts reached base at least once and eight of the nine had a hit. Smart and Espinosa led the club with three hits each. Espinosa was never retired in five at-bats as he went 3-3 with two walks and two runs scored.
Game two features a 7:05 p.m. start time on Saturday night. RHP Eddie Medina (4-0) will take the hill for the Wingnuts and his opposition will be Laredo RHP Cody Kendall (1-1). A limited number of fans will receive an Anthony Capra Bobble-Butt at the gate upon entry. 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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