Richmond Returns in Style as Wingnuts Blank Lemurs
July 25, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
LAREDO, TX - Scott Richmond had not pitched with the Wichita Wingnuts since June 30th because of his invitation to play with Team Canada in the Pan-Am Games. After nearly a month without making a start, the gold medal winner shut out the Laredo Lemurs for 6.0 innings on the way to his second win with the club. Richmond and three members of the bullpen held the Lemurs off the scoreboard all night and made two early runs hold up in a 2-0 victory.
Wichita (37-23) jumped ahead in their very first at-bat against new Laredo pitcher Willy Paredes. David Espinosa doubled with one out for the first hit of the night. T.J. Mittelstaedt traded places with his teammate on a double of his own to push the Nuts to a quick 1-0 lead. Paredes (0-1) would not allow another run, but lasted just 3.1 innings before being removed.
Leo Vargas used his feet to double the lead in the fifth. Harrison Kain began the inning with a single and then was put out as Vargas reached on a fielder's choice grounder. The second baseman stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch. Shortly afterward, a ball skipped away from catcher Brian Peterson and Vargas broke for home, beating an errant throw with a dive to the plate.
Richmond (2-1) was frustrating for the Lemurs right out of the gate. He struck out the side looking in the opening frame and continued to strand runners throughout his performance. Specializing in getting the Lemurs to hit the ball on the ground, the right-hander watched his defense turn three double plays behind him. Laredo (32-28) placed the leadoff hitter on base in five of his six innings on the hill, but only had that runner move to third twice. Richmond struck out five and scattered six hits.
Daniel Bennett took over in the seventh inning and quickly retired the side in order. Frankie Reed allowed a hit in the eighth, but nothing else. In the ninth inning, Dakota Watts had runners make it to the corners with nobody out. He struck out Juan Silverio and then worked a chopper back to the mound from Jeudy Valdez that ended the game when it blossomed into a 1-6-3 double play. The save was Watts' eighth of the season.
The Wingnuts will have a chance to assure a series victory on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. RHP Omar Bencomo (5-0) will face former teammate LHP Luis Pollorena (4-1) in the match-up on the mound. 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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