Rookie's Big Hit Beats Wingnuts 7-5

August 20, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


GRAND PRAIRIE (August 19, 2015) - The Wichita Wingnuts took a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the eighth inning and were six outs away from completing a three-game sweep of the Grand Prairie AirHogs on Wednesday night. The home team came up with five runs on four hits, including a go-ahead two RBI single from Justin Byrd who was playing in his first game as a professional. That hit turned out to be the difference in a 7-5 win for the AirHogs.

Grand Prairie (27-55) was able to tally in the very first inning. Four straight batters reached base with one out as two runs scored. Ronnie Richardson and Zane Chavez singled in back-to-back at bats in front of a double by Victor Diaz that plated a pair. Michael Pair earned a free pass before Tim Brown rebounded to record the final two outs. Those early runs were the only scored against the starter in 7.0 innings. He scattered seven hits and struck out two.

The Wingnuts (50-33) tied the score against Grand Prairie hurler Blake Oliver in the fourth inning. T.J. Mittelstaedt lined a single into center field and moved to second when Andy LaRoche took a walk. A single by John Nester tied the score and Harrison Kain's fielder's choice groundball pulled the Nuts even.

Wichita managed to take the lead without the aid of a hit in the fifth. David Espinosa was hit by a pitch with two outs to begin the threat. Oliver could not find the zone and issued a walk to each of the next three batters.  The final walk, with Nester at the plate, forced in a run to make it 3-2.

Nester also contributed to a two-run eighth inning in which the Wingnuts extended the lead. The catcher lined a double to left to open the frame and moved to third when Kain's bunt back to the mound was thrown away by Colin Allen (3-1). Brent Dean drove a sacrifice fly to right center for his 19th RBI and the first out of the inning. Kain stole second and advanced to third when Chavez's throw caromed off the runner and into the outfield grass. Taylor Smart muscled another sacrifice fly to center that pushed the advantage to three.

Brad Orosey (0-1) could not retire any of the first four batters he faced as Grand Prairie scored a run against him and had the bases loaded when he departed. Iden Nazario came in and induced an infield pop up from pinch-hitter Ridge Hoopii-Haslam for the first out. Scott Kuzminsky replaced Nazario and surrendered a game-tying double to Brian Frazier. He hit Josh Eatherly with a pitch to load the bases once again, prior to a shallow fly ball off the bat of Jordy Hart.  At that point Byrd came up with his first career hit to give the AirHogs the lead.

The Wingnuts managed to get the tying run into scoring position in the last of the ninth after a double from LaRoche. Nester worked the count to 3-1 before grounding out to third base to end the game.

Wichita has an off day on Thursday before returning to action at home on Friday night against the Laredo Lemurs at 7:05 p.m. 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.



American Association Stories from August 20, 2015


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