Rodriguez Reaches 1,500 Hits in Win

July 9, 2013 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts (32-18) won their fourth game in a row on Monday night, beating the Amarillo Sox (29-20) 11-4 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.

For a third time in four games, eight different Wingnuts had at least one hit. Wichita also hit three home runs in the victory, inlcuding a three-run shot from John Rodriguez that gave him 1,500 career base hits.

With runners on first and third and two outs in the bottom of the first inning, Brent Clevlen lined a three-run home run to left-center that put the Wingnuts in front 3-0.

Austin Gallagher hit a two-out, RBI double to right-center in the top of the second that cut the Wingnuts' lead to 3-1.

Wichita responded with three more two-out runs in the bottom half. With two outs and no one on base, Ryan Khoury singled to right and took third on a groundball single to right from Jake Kahaulelio. Rodriguez followed with the milestone home run on a high flyball to left-center. The three-run homer also moved Rodriguez past the 900 RBI plateau for his 17-year professional career.

Cory Patton led off the top of the fourth with a double to left-center against Wingnuts' starter Junior Guerra. Patton took third on a wild pitch and scored Amarillo's second run on Chris Grossman's groundout to third base.

A C.J. Ziegler single and an Abel Nieves walk in the bottom of the fifth setup a two-out, RBI single to center from Colt Loehrs that stretched Wichita's lead to 7-2.

Amarillo loaded the bases with no outs against Guerra in the top of the sixth on a hit, walk, and error. Adam De La Garza drew a pinch-hit walk that forced home a run to make it 7-3. Daniel Bennett relieved Guerra and retired the next three hitters in a row, limiting the Sox to just one more run.

Bennett, Lincoln Holdzkom, and Josh Stone combined for four scoreless innings without allowing a hit to finish the game.

The Wingnuts scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth without a hit to take a 9-4 lead. Ziegler drew a bases loaded walk, while Clevlen followed with a sacrifice fly to right.

Ziegler crushed a two-run home run to deep left-center in the bottom of the eighth for the Wingnuts' final runs.

Guerra earned the win, allowing four runs, two earned, on four hits in five-plus innings. Guerra walked four and struck out five.

Sox' starter Matt Larkins took the loss, allowing six earned runs on seven hits in four innings. Larkins walked one and struck out four.

Kahaulelio had two hits and scored three runs. Rodriguez, Ziegler, Clevlen, and Nieves also had multi-hit games.

The series concludes Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. Anthony Capra faces right-hander Joe Newby. Individual tickets can be purchased by calling (316) 755-SEAT, or by visiting www.selectaseat.com

Beginning this season, fans can use cash at all points of sale in Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Debit and credit cards will still be accepted.

For season tickets, group outings, or party packages, call the Wingnuts' main office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.



American Association Stories from July 9, 2013


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