Saltdogs Hound Nuts' All Night in 8-6 Victory
Published on June 28, 2014 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
LINCOLN, NE - The Lincoln Saltdogs outhit the Wichita Wingnuts by a 14-9 margin and scored in four different innings to knock off the league-leading Wingnuts 8-6 Saturday at Haymarket Park. Every time the Wingnuts tried to start a comeback, it seemed like the nine for Lincoln answered right back and Wichita never pulled closer than two runs after the top of the fourth inning.
Justin Klipp (4-2), who entered the game leading the American Association in ERA, struggled to find the strike zone early on as he walked each of the first three batters he faced after the Wingnuts were retired in order in the top of the first. With the bases loaded and one out, former Gary SouthShore RailCat Jeremy Hamilton doubled into the left-centerfield gap and cleared the bases to put the Saltdogs ahead 3-0 after one.
The Wingnuts (28-15) reached the scoreboard for the first time in the third inning. David Amberson started the inning with a walk and stole his 14th base of the season to move into scoring position. After Ryan Khoury walked, Carlo Testa hit a bouncer to short that the Saltdogs tried to spin two on. The relay throw from second to first was in the dirt and bounced away from the first baseman Ian Gac, allowing Amberson to race home. Two batters later, Jake Kahaulelio hit an RBI double and the score was 3-2.
The Saltdogs (19-22) responded quickly when Hamilton led off with a single and scored on a Gac double to deep center in the bottom of the third to push the lead to 4-2.
Each team would score in the fourth inning, with the Wingnuts tallying on J.T. Wise's moonshot solo home run to left. The deep fly was his 11th of the season. Klipp was unable to stave off the Saltdogs, however, allowing a two-RBI single to Hamilton in the home half, to make the lead three runs once again. Hamilton closed the night 3-3 with three runs scored, two RBI, and two walks.
A two-run home run by Brian Joynt gave the Saltdogs their biggest lead of the night at 8-3 in the sixth. Khoury countered with his fifth home run of the season in the top of the seventh, a two-run shot to left to trim the lead to 8-5. Against Lincoln closer Marshall Schuler, the Wingnuts scratched across a run in the ninth on a Testa sacrifice fly. With the tying run at the plate and two out, Kahaulelio flew out to medium-depth right field to end the game and give Schuler his league-leading 13th save.
Seven of the Saltdogs' eight runs were scored by the top three hitters in the lineup, Matt Forgatch (2), Jeremy Hamilton (3), and Brian Joynt (2). Khoury, Kahaulelio, and Clevlen each racked up multiple hits. Khoury had two extra-base hits and Kahaulelio finished 3-5.
The series finale and rubber-match with the Saltdogs will take place Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. RHP Jason Van Skike (4-1) works for Wichita, with RHP Marquis Fleming (3-3) tossing for Lincoln. 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 June 28, 2014
- Sioux City Snaps Road Streak - Sioux City Explorers
- Saltdogs Hound Nuts' All Night in 8-6 Victory - Wichita Wingnuts
- Saltdogs Rough up ERA Leader in Win - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Mittelstaedt's Bat Lifts T-Bones - Kansas City Monarchs
- Saints Tie American Association Record by Grounding into Five Double Plays, Lose 7-3 - St. Paul Saints
- Ruwe, Canaries Top Saints 7-3 - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Hernandez and Homers Put the Hurt on the RedHawks - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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