Smith's Gem Gives Wingnuts 2-0 Lead
September 5, 2013 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
GRAND PRAIRIE, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Grand Prairie AirHogs 6-0 in Game Two of the American Association Division Series at QuikTrip Park on Thursday night.
Wichita leads the best-of-five series 2-0.
Chris Smith pitched the first nine-inning complete game of his professional career, blanking the AirHogs on three base hits. Smith walked three, struck out five, and finished the night at 122 pitches.
The Wingnuts took the lead in the top of the third. Jared McDonald led off with a line drive single to right field. McDonald stole second base and scored the first run of the night when Ryan Khoury lined a single down the right field line.
Brent Clevlen singled on a line drive to center with one out in the top of the fourth. Clevlen took second on a hit-and-run groundball from Abel Nieves and scored on a Cole Armstrong line drive single to right.
Wichita added two more runs in the top of the fifth. McDonald again led off with a single and stole second base. Khoury singled McDonald to third on a groundball through the right side. With Khoury in motion, Jake Kahaulelio hit a groudball to shortstop that plated McDonald to make it 3-0. John Rodriguez then drove in Khoury from second on a groundball single to center.
With two outs and no one on base in the top of the seventh, Khoury singled through the right side. On the next pitch, Kahaulelio doubled off the left field fence to score Khoury with the Wingnuts' fifth run.
Wichita's final tally came in the top of the ninth. David Amberson drew a leadoff walk, took second on a passed ball, and advanced to third when McDonald hit a groundball to first base. Two batters later, Amberson scored on a Kahaulelio sacrifice fly down the right field line.
Smith retired 12 consecutive hitters from the fifth inning through the eighth, and at one point set down 16 of 17. Smith allowed just one runner past second base the entire night. Smith had one career shutout entering Thursday, which came in the opener of a double header on June 4th, 2006 while pitching for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox). It is the first postseason complete game and shutout in team history.
Josh Strawn took the loss for Grand Prairie, allowing five earned runs on 12 hits in six and two-thirds innings. Strawn walked one and struck out one.
Khoury and McDonald each had three hits while Kahaulelio had three RBI. Rodriguez had multiple hits for a second straight night in the series.
The series shifts to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Friday night for Game Three. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Anthony Capra takes on former Wingnuts' righty Derek Blacksher.
Wichita will also host the "if necessary" Games Four and Five on September 7th and 8th. Individual tickets for all home playoff games 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.
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