Streak Snapped in 5-4 Walk-Off Win by AirHogs
July 17, 2014 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
GRAND PRAIRIE, TX (July 16, 2014) - The Wichita Wingnuts entered the bottom of the ninth inning holding a one run lead and just three outs away from advancing their season-best win streak by another game at QuikTrip Park on Wednesday. However the Grand Prairie AirHogs had different ideas, scoring a pair of runs against their former closer Patrick Mincey to end the night celebrating on the field.
The Wingnuts (40-18) struck first in the game's initial inning against season-long nemesis and American Association strikeout leader Aaron Wilkerson. Jake Kahaulelio singled with two down and then was driven in on a booming double down the left field line by Brent Clevlen. The RBI was the 40th of the season for the all-star outfielder.
The AirHogs (24-33), the only team that Wingnuts' starter Jon Link has not completed six innings against this season, evened the score immediately in their first trip to the plate. Sparkplug Jimmy Mojica led off with a double into the left field corner. Alex Nunez moved him to third with a sacrifice bunt and then Abel Nieves tied the game with a sharp single on the ground. After a walk to Jason Botts, Link got Brian Myrow to bounce into a 3-6-1 double play to end the frame.
Both pitchers put it in cruise control during the second and third innings before Grand Prairie broke through once again in the fourth inning. Nieves crushed a ground rule double to right center, which allowed Jason Botts to plate him with a single in the next at bat. Following another double by Brian Myrow, which put runners on second and third with one out, Madison Carter rolled a groundball deep in the hole to short that brought Botts home and gave the AirHogs a 3-1 advantage.
After a scoreless fifth inning concluded, the skies opened up and heavy rain began to fall, forcing the umpires to halt the game prior to the start of the sixth. The rain delay lasted one hour and 10 minutes before play resumed. Wilkerson somehow stayed in the game and retired the Wingnuts in order in both the sixth and seventh innings, prior to calling it a night. The right-hander went seven innings, allowing just one run on three hits and struck out eight hitters.
In the first inning that Wilkerson was not on the hill, the Wingnuts came up with a crooked number and snatched away the lead. Brett Wallach was the victim of the Nuts' outburst that began with back-to-back singles by Ryan Khoury and Chris McClendon. Kahaulelio then beat out an attempted double play on a grounder to short to leave runners on the corners with one out. Clevlen came through again, with a big knock through the right side that cut the deficit to 3-2. Wallach was removed in favor of Ty'Relle Harris (2-2) after that at bat.
Carlo Testa hit a hard groundball up the middle that glanced off of Jimmy Mojica's glove and into center field, tying the game at 3-3. After Chris McMurray popped out on the infield, Taylor Oldham lifted a shallow fly ball along the first base line. Botts went back from his first base position to try and make an over-the-shoulder basket catch, only to see the ball hit the pocket of his glove and bounce right back out. The shallow single gave the Wingnuts a 4-3 lead.
With closer Matt Nevarez unavailable to pitch, the save opportunity was put in the hands of Mincey (1-3) after Alex Hinshaw struck out a pair in a scoreless eighth. The former AirHog gave up a base hit to pinch-hitter Frazier Hall to start the ninth inning. Hall, recently activated after an injury, was immediately relieved by Matthew Burns on the base paths. Mojica drew a patient walk, taking two very close pitches to put two aboard with no outs. Nunez put down another sacrifice bunt to move the tying run to third and the winning run to second. Mincey intentionally walked Nieves to load the bases, but then could not find the zone against Botts either and walked him to force in a run. With the game tied, Myrow lifted a fly ball deep enough to center field that Mojica easily tagged up and scored ahead of Clevlen's throw. The AirHogs flooded the field to celebrate their 5-4 comeback victory over the top team in the South.
Daniel Bennett, Mike Zouzalik, and Alex Hinshaw each allowed at least a base runner in their innings of relief, but managed to wiggle off the hook for scoreless frames. Clevlen drove in a pair of runs on two hits, while Khoury and McClendon each added a pair of hits in the contest. The 10-game win streak fell three victories shy of the franchise record of 13, which was set last season.
The South Division adversaries will wrap up the three-game series on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. RHP Tim Brown (7-2) will go for Wichita, while RHP Danny Gutierrez (2-3) takes the hill for Grand Prairie. The game can be heard on 92.7 KWME or by heading to wichitawingnuts.com and clicking the "Listen Live" link. 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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