T-Bones Claim Opener of Weekend Series by 6-3 Margin

Published on June 19, 2015 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


KANSAS CITY, KS - Entering play on Friday night at Community America Ballpark in Kansas City, the Wichita Wingnuts had not lost consecutive games at any point during the 2015 season. That changed when the team could not solve Kansas City T-Bones starting pitcher Blake Holovach in time to keep up with the home team's four-run fourth inning. When the Wingnuts did threaten it was too little too late as they fell by a 6-3 score in the first game of the series.

After the first two innings were dominated by the starting pitchers, Vladimir Frias opened the scoring in the bottom of the third with a leadoff solo home run off of Wingnuts' southpaw Anthony Capra (2-3).

Wichita (16-10) mustered their only run off of Holovach (2-0) to tie the game in the fourth. T.J. Mittelstaedt started the inning by drawing a walk. After a John Nester fly ball, Dustin Geiger also ripped a single to left and the Wingnuts had two on with one out. Two batters later, Jayce Ray snuck a ball through the right side of the infield and brought home Mittelstaedt to even the game.

In the bottom of the same inning the T-Bones (9-14) responded in a big way. Three of the first four hitters singled to load the bases for Frias. The shortstop lifted a fly ball to right that was deep enough to allow the runner to tag and score, making it 2-1. Ryan Cavan lined a ball into the corner before the inning ended that cleared the bases and pushed the advantage to 5-1. A bases loaded wild pitch by Capra in the fifth allowed Kansas City to add their final run and go up 6-1. Capra lasted 5.0 innings and allowed six runs on eight hits. He walked four and struck out three.

Mittelstaedt drove an opposite field home run to left off of Fernando Hernandez in the eighth to pull the Wingnuts within 6-3, but that was all the closer Wichita could climb. The long ball was the fifth of the season for the third baseman. Kris Regas retired the side in order in the ninth to pick up his second save. Holovach allowed just one run in 7.0 innings and scattered five hits.

While working a scoreless sixth inning, Daniel Bennett appeared in his 107th game as a Wingnut, tying Nick Walters for the team record. Joash Brodin extended his hitting streak to ten games with a single in the eighth inning.

The series continues with game two on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. RHP Tim Brown will toss against RHP Robert Duran of Kansas City. 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 19, 2015


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