Testa Turns out the Lights on RailCats

May 30, 2014 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


WICHITA, KS - The Wichita Wingnuts' game with the Gary SouthShore RailCats on Friday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium featured all kinds of fireworks, both the literal and figurative kind. In a game that was delayed 40 minutes for Riverfest fireworks, the Wingnuts (12-4) used a huge bases-clearing, go-ahead, three RBI double by Carlo Testa to score their first runs of the game and take a 3-2 lead. They would add one more before the inning ended and held on for the 4-2 win.

The RailCats (7-7) scratched their way onto the scoreboard first in the third inning. Nine-hitter Cody Bishop led off the inning against Wingnuts' starter Jon Link with a single. With one out, Drew Martinez executed a hit-and-run to perfection to reach via an infield single. Josh Romanski hit a ground ball to first to advance each runner 90 feet and set up the catcher Craig Maddox. With two strikes, the left-handed hitting RailCats backstop hooked a line drive into fair territory down the right field line to score both teammates and give Gary a 2-0 lead.

Link was stingy both prior to and after that inning, as he completed six innings on the hill, giving up the two runs on five hits while striking out and walking a pair. Link's quality start was the tenth of the season for the rotation and sixth in a row.

Gary starting pitcher Dustin Crenshaw was much better in this game then when he started against Wichita on the previous Sunday. In that game he lasted just five innings, but on Friday he had held the same lineup scoreless through 7.0 innings. In the eighth inning, however, it was Wichita's turn to shine. Crenshaw allowed a leadoff single to Chris McMurray, before he was pulled in favor of Coleman Stephens. Stephens walked Colt Loehrs before David Amberson laid down a sacrifice bunt attempt to the left side. Stephens and third baseman Wally Backman miscommunicated and the ball rolled between them to load the bases. Gary manager Greg Tagert went to the pen again, this time summoning lefty Joe Testa to face Carlo Testa. The Wingnuts' Testa lined a bases-clearing double over the head of Bishop in center and to the wall to give Wichita a 3-2 lead. Testa went 2-3 with a double, walk, and three RBI.

Immediately after Testa's heroics, the game was halted to allow the Riverfest opening night fireworks display to take place. After a 40-minute delay the teams returned to the field and Jake Kahaulelio ripped a double that bounced off of Bishop's glove and to the turf, allowing Testa to cross the plate and give the Wingnuts a 4-2 advantage. Stephens ended up allowing one run on six hits and struck out four. The second and third runs belonged to Stephens (1-1), who was saddled with the loss, and Testa allowed the fourth.

Matt Nevarez earned his eighth save of the season by allowing just a hit in the ninth and striking out one. Jason Van Skike (2-0) earned the win, pitching a scoreless top of the eighth inning before the Wingnuts' outburst. Alex Hinshaw also added a scoreless inning out of the pen.

The same two teams meet again tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. Wichita LHP Anthony Capra (3-0) will take to the hill and square off with RHP Stephen Hiscock (0-1) of Gary SouthShore. 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 May 30, 2014


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