Wichita Clinches South Division Title
Published on September 1, 2016 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, Kans. - The Wichita Wingnuts clinched their sixth consecutive division title Wednesday night, knocking off the Joplin Blasters 8-3 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium to seal up the 2016 American Association South Division Championship.
With the score even at two entering the bottom of the fifth, the Wingnuts (59-36) took a lead they did not relinquish. Zack Cox put the home team in front with a ground out, then Brent Clevlen marked the occasion of his 300th game in a Wingnuts uniform, a new club record, with his 400th hit for Wichita, an RBI double to make it 4-2.
Wichita added two more in the next inning, as Matt Chavez hit a solo home run and Leo Vargas brought in his second run of the night with a ground ball.
Joplin pulled one back in the top of the seventh, but Chavez and the Wingnuts answered in the home half. The first baseman blasted his second homer of the night, a two-run shot, giving him his second multi-homer game in the last four days to put Wichita up by five.
Chad Nading and Gage Smith then came on to get the final six outs, with Nading retiring the side in order in the eighth, and Smith posting a zero in the ninth to seal up Wichita's sixth consecutive division title.
The Wingnuts broke the ice in the bottom of the second. After Harrison Lee (0-1) retired the first four he faced, Wichita put together three straight hits against the righty, with the last of those three an RBI single by Harrison Kain. One out later the home team added another, as Vargas brought Nick Van Stratten home with a single.
Joplin (35-60) answered with a run in the next half inning. Tyler Kane (1-0) set down the first eight he faced, but three straight two-out singles brought the visitors within a run.
The Blasters then tied it in the fifth on an RBI single by Mitch Glasser, but Kain threw out Alex Polston at the plate to prevent Joplin from taking the lead.
Kane earned the win for Wichita in his second outing for the club, allowing two earned runs in six innings to pick up his first quality start as a Wingnut.
The Wingnuts wrap-up their 2016 regular season home slate Thursday night as they conclude their four-game series with the Blasters at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Wichita will send veteran righty Tim Brown (8-4, 4.28) to the mound, while Joplin will counter with fellow right-hander Santos Arias (2-1, 3.97). First pitch is set for 7:05, and the game can be heard on 1410 AM KGSO, as well as on TuneIn.
For information on 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 September 1, 2016
- Wichita Sweeps Blasters with 3-1 Victory - Joplin Blasters
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- Six-Run Inning Carries Canaries to Series Sweep of RailCats - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Johns Belts Two-Run Walk-Off Homer to Get the Victory - Sioux City Explorers
- Canaries Wrap up Home Schedule with 9-4 Win over the RailCats - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Wingnuts Game Recap: Wingnuts Complete Sweep of Blasters - Wichita Wingnuts
- Wingnuts Game Notes: September 1 vs. Joplin - Wichita Wingnuts
- Wingnuts Chavez Named Player of the Month - Wichita Wingnuts
- Saints Celebrate the End of Summer - St. Paul Saints
- Misell, Rodriguez Star But AirHogs Drop Game 3 - Texas AirHogs
- Fish Come Back to Win on Record-Breaking Night - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Saints Lose Late Lead to Goldeyes, Fall 3-2 - St. Paul Saints
- Blasters Fall to Wichita as Wingnuts Clinch Division - Joplin Blasters
- X's Down 'Dogs to Pull Back into First Place Tie - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Monger Picks up Three RBIs in Can - Sioux Falls Canaries
- RailCats Can't Complete Comeback, Lose 4-3 to Cana - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Wichita Clinches South Division Title - Wichita Wingnuts
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