Wichita Wingnuts Game Notes - August 20th, 2013

August 20, 2013 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


WINGNUTS TAKE SERIES FROM REDHAWKS: The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 3-2 at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Sunday afternoon in the rubber game of a three-game series. Newly-signed left-hander James Giulietti allowed two earned runs on just two hits over 6.0 IP to earn the win. Giulietti struck out eight. Jake Kahaulelio hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning while Jared McDonald added a two-run triple with two outs in the bottom of the fourth. Four Wingnuts' relievers combined for 3.0 scoreless innings to close out the game. Josh Dew threw a perfect top of the ninth to earn his 22nd save. With the home run, Kahaulelio scored his 82nd run of the season, setting a Wingnuts' single-season record.

ALL-TIME AGAINST THE RAILCATS: The Wingnuts are 14-10 all-time against the Gary SouthShore RailCats, including a 6-6 mark at US Steel Yard. Gary SouthShore joined the American Association in 2011 after spending the previous nine seasons in the Northern League. RailCats' manager Greg Tagert is in his ninth season. Tagert guided the RailCats to the playoffs in each of his first six years, and won Northern League Championships in 2005 and 2007. Tagert was named Northern League Manager of the Year in 2007 and 2009. Tagert entered 2013 with an 844-685 (.552) career managerial record, which includes nine years of service in the Frontier League. Tagert has never had a losing season in any of his 17 years as a professional manager and holds the Frontier League's all-time record for wins. The Wingnuts and RailCats battled neck-and-neck for the 2011 Central Division title with the Wingnuts clinching the division by 1.0 game on the final day of the regular season. Wichita swept a key, three-game series from the RailCats at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in late-August of that year. The sweep vaulted the Wingnuts into first place for the remainder of the season. US Steel Yard opened in 2003 after the RailCats were forced to play their inaugural season exclusively on the road. Mike Massaro, the American Association's all-time leader in triples, returns for a fifth season with the RailCats.

SERIES MATCHUP: The Wingnuts are 58-28 and lead the Gary SouthShore RailCats by 9.5 games in the Central Division. Wichita just won two of three from the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The RailCats are 48-37 and trail the Wingnuts by 9.5 games in the Central. Gary SouthShore leads the wild card race by 2.0 games over the Lincoln Saltdogs and just lost two of three at home to the Sioux Falls Canaries. The Wingnuts rank second in the American Association in hitting (.293), first in pitching (3.36), and tied for second in fielding (.977). The RailCats are tied for 10th in batting (.268), fourth in pitching (4.07), and tied for sixth in defense (.974). The Wingnuts are 4-5 against the RailCats this season. This is the final scheduled regular season series between the two clubs.

TONIGHT'S STARTERS: The Wingnuts go with right-hander Chris Smith is the opener who is 8-3 with a 3.47 ERA in 17 starts. Smith is tied for seventh in the American Association in wins, ninth in ERA, and fourth in strikeouts (100). Smith is also second among active starting pitchers in batting average against (.229). Smith took a no-decision vs. Gary SouthShore last Wednesday in the opener of a double header. Smith allowed one earned run on seven hits over 6.0 IP. Wichita won the game 2-1. Smith is 4-3 with a 3.67 ERA on the road this season in 10 starts. Smith has allowed three or fewer earned runs in 12 of 17 starts. Smith has walked two or fewer batters in 12 of 17 starts and has walked more than three batters in just one of them. Smith has pitched at least 6.0 innings in 16 of 17 starts and has pitched at least 5.0 innings in all of them. In his last nine starts, Smith is 6-0 with a 2.29 ERA (16 ER, 63.0 IP). Smith is 1-0 with a 3.32 ERA against the RailCats this season in three starts, including a win at US Steel Yard on May 22nd .

Prior to this season, Smith last pitched in 2011 for the Triple-A Pacific Coast League's Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle Mariners). Smith made 50 Major League relief appearances with the Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers from 2008-2010. Prior to this season, his last start came on April 25th, 2009 with Boston's Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket in which he allowed one hit over 6.0 shutout innings to earn a win vs. Syracuse. In 2012, Smith was an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of California, Riverside.

Smith entered 2013 with a 42-39 career record with 61 saves and a 4.02 ERA in 10 professional seasons. During that span, Smith averaged 7.5 strikeouts against just 2.5 walks per nine innings in 771.0 career innings. Smith was drafted by the Red Sox in the 4th round in 2002 out of the University of California, Riverside. In addition to his time in the Majors, Smith has six years of experience at the Triple-A level, and has spent parts of four others in Double-A. In 2010, Smith saved 26 games for the Nashville Sounds, which led the Pacific Coast League, and ranked second overall at the Triple-A level.

The RailCats go with left-hander Matt Jernstad who is 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA in three relief appearances. Jernstad last pitched on Saturday vs. Sioux Falls and threw 2.0 shutout relief innings. Jernstad faced the Wingnuts last Wednesday in the opener of a double header and worked 0.2 scoreless relief innings. Jernstad is making his first start since September 1st, 2011 while pitching for the Frontier League's Windy City ThunderBolts. Jernstad was 8- 11 that season with a 3.71 ERA in 21 starts and three relief outings. Jernstad returned to Windy City last year and made two appearances. Jernstad's rights were acquired from Windy City on August 10th in exchange for a player to be named later.

Jernstad is 22-21 in five professional seasons with two saves and a 3.33 ERA in 101 games, 40 of them starts. Jernstad has averaged 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings in his career against only 2.9 walks. Jernstad played four years of college baseball at Northern Illinois University, going 3-4 with a 5.65 ERA as a senior in 2008.

In the nightcap, the Wingnuts go with right-hander Justin Klipp who is 6-3 with a 4.28 ERA in 12 starts and one relief appearance. Klipp took a loss vs.

Gary SouthShore last Wednesday in the nightcap of a double header. Klipp allowed seven runs, five earned, on five hits in 3.0+ innings. Klipp is 4-2 with a 3.72 ERA on the road this season in six starts and one relief appearance. Klipp has allowed three or fewer earned runs in seven of 12 starts and has allowed more than four earned runs in just two of them. Klipp has walked one or fewer batters in 10 of 12 starts and has walked more than two batters in just one of them. Klipp has pitched at least 6.0 innings in nine of 12 starts and has pitched at least 5.0 innings in 10 of them.

Klipp was purchased from the United League's Edinburg Roadrunners on June 9th where he was 2-1 in three starts with a 1.24 ERA. Klipp had 36 strikeouts in just 21.1 IP while allowing only 18 hits. Klipp had a pair of 14-strikeout games while with Edinburg.

Klipp is a 28-year old true rookie who has recovered from a pair of back injuries. Klipp played college baseball at Cal State Fullerton from 2006-07, going 2-0 with a 2.15 ERA in 37.2 IP as a senior. Klipp was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 22nd round in 2007, and was also selected by the Texas Rangers in the 29th round out of Calabasas High School in Calabasas, CA.

The RailCats go with right-hander Stephen Hiscock who is 2-2 with a 3.75 ERA in eight starts. Hiscock earned a win at Wichita in the nightcap of a double header last Wednesday. Hiscock allowed four earned runs on eight hits with zero walks in 6.0 IP. Hiscock is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA at home this season in five starts. Hiscock has allowed two or fewer earned runs in five of eight starts and has allowed more than four earned runs in just one of them. Hiscock has walked two or fewer batters in all eight of his starts. Hiscock has pitched at least 5.0 innings in all eight of his starts. Hiscock is 1-1 with a 6.55 ERA (8 ER, 11.0 IP) against the Wingnuts this season in two starts. Lifetime against the Wingnuts, Hiscock is 3-1 with a 5.55 ERA (15 ER, 24.1 IP) in four starts and one relief appearance.

Hiscock is 12-13 with a 3.78 ERA in four professional seasons over 92 games, 27 of them starts. Hiscock signed with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010 out of Rollins College in Winter Park, FL and reached Low-A Bowling Green in 2011. Hiscock has averaged 3.0 walks per nine innings in his professional career. Last season, Hiscock was 6-6 for the RailCats in 19 starts and six relief appearances and ranked fifth in the American Association with a 3.22 ERA.

ZIEGLER AND PAHUTA CHASE SING, EACH OTHER: Wingnuts' first baseman CJ Ziegler ranks second in the American Association with 24 home runs. Sioux Falls' Tim Pahuta paces the league with 25. The American Association single-season record is 27, held by Brandon Sing of the Sioux Falls Pheasants in 2010. Entering Monday, the Wingnuts have 14 games left on their schedule while the Canaries have 13.

SETTING 'EM DOWN: The Wingnuts' pitching staff leads the American Association in strikeouts (676). Wichita is currently on pace for 786 strikeouts. The American Association team record is 738, set by the Laredo Lemurs in 2012. The Wingnuts have also had six starting pitching performances of 10 or more strikeouts this season. In their first five seasons combined, the Wingnuts had three performances of double digit strikeouts.

KAHAULELIO BREAKS TEAM RECORDS, EYES LEAGUE BENCHMARKS: Wingnuts' second baseman Jake Kahaulelio leads the American Association in runs scored (82). The 82 runs are a new Wingnuts' single-season record and surpass the 81 scored by Juan Richardson in 2011. Kahaulelio also leads the league in hit batsmen (19), breaking Jorge Delgado's team mark of 18, also set in 2011. Fehlandt Lentini (Amarillo, 2011) holds the American Association record for runs in a single season (98). David Thomas (Grand Prairie, 2011) holds the league record for most HBP (20). Kahaulelio won the American Association batting title last season (.372) and was named the league's all-star second baseman.

HOOPER FIVE FOR FIVE: The Wingnuts won their 51st game of the season on August 6th at Rockland, clinching a winning season under manager Kevin Hooper for a fifth time in five years. Hooper is 280-198 (.586) since taking over the club in 2009 and has guided the Wingnuts to three playoff berths. Hooper's .586 winning percentage is the highest among American Association managers over the last five years. His 280 wins also rank first during that stretch. Hooper was a member of a team that made the playoffs in eight different seasons over his 10-year playing career. Hooper was also a member of Wichita State University's College World Series team in 1996. The Shockers reached the NCAA tournament in all four of Hooper's collegiate seasons, and posted a composite .815 winning percentage.

ROAD WARRIORS: The Wingnuts finished their annual NBC road trip with an 11-5 record. At 26-16 away from Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, the Wingnuts have clinched a winning record on the road for a second straight year. Wichita's first winning road record was in 2012 (27-22).

NIEVES PACING THE LEAGUE: Wingnuts' third baseman Abel Nieves leads the American Association in batting average (.367). Wichita has had a player win the batting title in three of its first five seasons. Kevin Hooper won by 40 points in 2008 at .373, Greg Porter topped the league with a .372 mark in 2009, and Jake Kahaulelio finished first with a .372 average in 2012. Nieves had a 19-game hitting streak from June 8th -26th (38 for 76, .500) which ranks tied for the second-longest in team history (Greg Porter 2009 and Jorge Delgado 2010). The team record is held by Josh Horn, who hit safely in 20 consecutive games from August 29th, 2009 through June 5th, 2010. Nieves finished second in the Frontier League in batting average last year, hitting .320 for the Joliet Slammers. Nieves reached the Triple-A level three times with the Los Angeles Angels' organization.

KHOURY SETTING THE TABLE: Wingnuts' shortstop Ryan Khoury has reached base in 76 of 85 games this season with a hit, walk, or hit by pitch. Khoury reached base in 87 of 100 games in 2012, and was named the American Association's Defensive Player of the Year. Khoury also ranked in the top-four in the league in runs scored, walks, and stolen bases. On June 26th vs. Laredo, Khoury missed his first game since joining the Wingnuts last year. Including the postseason, Khoury had started 145 consecutive games both at shortstop and in the leadoff spot, and missed just five total innings in the field during that stretch. Prior to June 26th, the last time a Wingnuts' player other than Khoury started at shortstop was September 4th, 2011 when Josh Horn started Game Four of the Division Series vs. Grand Prairie. Jimmy Mojica was the last Wingnuts' player to bat leadoff, which was also on September 4th, 2011.

ZIEGLER CLEANING THE TABLE, WINGNUTS' NEW HOME RUN KING: Wingnuts' first baseman CJ Ziegler is second in the American Association in home runs (24) and ranks first in RBI (83). On August 8th at Rockland, Ziegler set a franchise single-season record with his 22nd home run of the season, besting Kelly Hunt and Greg Porter who each hit 21 home runs in 2009. In the opener of a double header vs. St. Paul on June 14th, Ziegler hit his ninth home run of 2013 and his 27th in a Wingnuts' uniform over the last two years, passing Ryan Patterson (2010-11) for the most in franchise history. Ziegler is only the third player in team history to reach the 20 home run plateau. Ziegler tied a Wingnuts' single-game record with seven RBI on June 24th vs. Laredo. Last season, Ziegler ranked tied for third in the American Association with 18 home runs in just 58 games played. Ziegler has helped his team reach the playoffs in each of his first five professional seasons.

POWER AND SPEED: The Wingnuts offense has benefited from a rare mix of power and speed. Wichita ranks first in the American Association with 94 home runs and second with 112 stolen bases. Wichita led the American Association with 86 home runs in 2009, which stood as a franchise single- season record until this year. The Wingnuts have never led the league steals. Their franchise-best for stolen bases is 150 set in 2012.

STINGY ARMS: The Wingnuts' pitching staff ranks first in the American Association in opponents' batting average at .233. Anthony Capra ranks first among active starting pitchers at .218. Chris Smith ranks second at .229. Junior Guerra is eighth at .248. Ryan Hinson, who was recently purchased by the Atlanta Braves, ranks first overall at .193.

PITCHING STRONG: The Wingnuts rank first in the American Association with a 3.36 team ERA. The Wingnuts ranked first in ERA in 2009 and 2010 while finishing third in 2011.

SWINGING STRONG: The Wingnuts rank second in the American Association with a .293 team batting average. Over the last two seasons, the Wingnuts have finished first and second respectively in the league batting race.

GLOVE WORK: The Wingnuts are tied for second in the American Association with a .977 fielding percentage. Wichita has led the league in defense in three of their first five years of existence (2008, 2009, 2012), and finished second in 2011. The Wingnuts hold the American Association record for team fielding percentage at .980, which they accomplished in both 2009 and 2012.

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: The Wingnuts are 183-105 (.635) all-time at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. It is the highest home winning percentage for any American Association team since the Wingnuts began play in 2008.

SCORELESS BALL: The Wingnuts have posted seven shutouts as a team this season. The franchise record for shutouts in a single season is nine, set in both 2010 and 2011.

COMPLETE ME: The Wingnuts' pitching staff ranks tied for first in the American Association with six complete games. Wichita's club record for complete games in a single season is seven, set in both 2009 and 2010.

TOUGH LOSSES: Of the Wingnuts' 28 losses this season, 15 have been by one run, three by two runs, and three by three runs. Wichita has held a lead at some point in 15 of their 28 losses.

GUERRA PROTECTING THE HOME FRONT: Wingnuts' right-hander Junior Guerra has excelled when pitching at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Guerra is 11-4 with a 2.89 ERA (44 ER, 137.0 IP) in 19 career starts in Wichita.

'J-ROD' REACHES MAJOR MILESTONES: Wingnuts' DH John Rodriguez hit a two-out, three-run home run in the bottom of the second inning on July 8th vs. Amarillo for the 1,500th base hit of his 17-year professional career. The home run also have Rodriguez 902 career RBI. On July 18th vs. Lincoln, Rodriguez set the Wingnuts' franchise record for RBI (126) with a two-out, RBI double in the bottom of the fifth inning. Josh Horn (2009-11) held the previous team record with 125 RBI.

KHOURY BREAKS TEAM STEALS RECORD: Wingnuts' shortstop Ryan Khoury set a franchise record with his 47th stolen base on July 6th vs. Amarillo. Josh Horn (2009-11) held the previous record with 46. Last year, Khoury established a Wingnuts' single-season record with 37 stolen bases, surpassing current manager Kevin Hooper's mark of 34 set in 2008.

BACK-TO-BACK: John Rodriguez and CJ Ziegler hit back-to-back home runs on consecutive pitches in the bottom of the third inning in game one of a double header on Friday, June 14th vs. St. Paul. They were the first back-to-back home runs for the Wingnuts since July 26th, 2011 when Josh Horn and Brent Clevlen accomplished the feat vs. Fargo-Moorhead. Ziegler and Clevlen homered on back-to-back pitches on Monday, June 24th vs. Laredo, while Clevlen and Abel Nieves hit back-to-back home runs on August 8th at Rockland.

GRAND SLAM TIME: On Tuesday, June 11th at Winnipeg, Abel Nieves hit the Wingnuts' first grand slam home run since August 27th, 2011 when Juan Richardson hit a bases loaded 'big fly' in a 19-2 rout at El Paso. Wichita hit .309 as a team with the bases loaded in 2012, and was hitting .400 with the sacks full going into June 11th of this year, but had gone 126 consecutive games without a grand slam. CJ Ziegler hit the Wingnuts' second grand slam of 2013 on June 28th vs. Sioux City. Jake Kahaulelio smacked the first walk-off grand slam in team history on July 23rd at Amarillo.

ALUMNI REPORT: RHP Matt Nevarez (2011-12) has a 2.31 ERA for the Double-A Southern League's Montgomery Biscuits (Tampa Bay) with 13 strikeouts in 11.2 IP. RHP James Hoyt (2012) was recently promoted to the Double-A Southern League's Mississippi Braves (Atlanta) and has a 2.48 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 29.0 IP. Hoyt posted a 4.89 ERA with 72 strikeouts in just 49.2 IP earlier this year for the High-A Carolina League's Lynchburg Hillcats. LHP and Wingnuts' co-owner Nate Robertson (2012) has a 3.30 ERA in 46.1 IP for the Triple-A Pacific Coast League's Round Rock Express (Texas). RHP Jon Link was purchased by the Detroit Tigers on June 19th and went 3-1 with a 1.13 ERA in five starts for the Double-A Eastern League's Erie SeaWolves. Link was recently promoted to Triple-A Toledo and is 0-4 with a 7.20 ERA in four starts and four relief appearances. LHP Ryan Hinson was purchased by the Atlanta Braves on July 11th and is 3-2 with a 1.84 ERA in seven starts for the High-A Carolina League's Lynchburg Hillcats.



American Association Stories from August 20, 2013


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