Wichita Still Alive After Blasting El Paso

Published on August 29, 2010 under American Association (AA)
El Paso Diablos News Release


Wichita, KS - After a less than stellar effort in game one, Wichita responded in a big way and thumped the Diablos 16-2 on Saturday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The Wingnuts scored early and often opening the night with a five run inning and left El Paso in the dust. They still have a chance to get a playoff spot, but need a win on Sunday and a Sioux Falls loss.

A night after a very lackluster effort, the Wingnuts put little doubt about their effort on this night from the start. They scored five runs in the first inning. After a walk and a single to the first two batters, Jorge Cortez and Carlos Rivera hit back-to-back home runs. They added one more run later in the inning. El Paso answered with one run in the second inning on a lead-off home run by Rico Santana but that would barely put a dent in what the Wingnuts would do in the night. Wichita did not slow down scoring three in the second, one in the third and then scoring four more in the fourth to lead 13-1 after the fourth inning. El Paso added their second run in the sixth inning on a Santana RBI double. The Wingnuts added their final three runs in the seventh inning.

The Wichita offense had 17 hits after the fourth inning and went on to have 22 in the game. Usually a team that doesn't get many extra base hits, they ended the night with four home runs and five doubles. Carlos Rivera led the Wingnuts going 5-6 with two home runs and five RBI. He has now gone 9-11 with three home runs and seven RBI in the first two games of the series. El Paso's offense was rather lethargic collecting just seven hits. Six out of the seven hits came from the trio of Rico Santana, Bryon Smith, and Jeff Hulett. Santana went 2-4 with a home run, a double and drove in both of El Paso's runs. Smith went 2-4 with a double and Hulett went 2-3.

Kevin Angelle (3-1), who shut out the Diablos over seven innings in his last start, pitched two outs into the sixth inning. He left because of a high pitch count but allowed just two runs on three hits while striking out eight. The Wingnuts jumped all over Diablos starter Dustin Birosak (0-2) who did not record an out and left after facing six batters. He allowed five runs on five hits, a walk and two home runs. El Paso had to piece together the rest of the game. William Buzhardt came on to finish the first inning and pitched two more. He allowed four runs on seven hits. Barry Fowler pitched three innings and allowed seven runs while Kris Jiggitts pitched the final two innings.

El Paso will finish up their 2010 season on Sunday night. Amad Stephens (5-9, 5.76) will make the start against his former team. Adam Cowart (6-7, 4.02) will be taking the mound for Wichita. First pitch is slated for 4:05. Fans can listen in by tuning to ESPN radio 1380 on online at www.diablos.com.

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American Association Stories from August 29, 2010


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