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Wichita Wingnuts Game Notes - July 15th, 2013

July 15, 2013 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


10 IN A ROW FOR WINGNUTS: The Wichita Wingnuts won their 10th game in a row on Sunday evening, beating the Sioux City Explorers 7-2 at Lewis and Clark Park. Anthony Capra struck out 11 batters and allowed two earned runs over 6.0 IP to pick up the win. The 11 strikeouts are the third most by a Wingnuts' pitcher in a single game. Jared McDonald hit a two-out, three-run home run in the top of the second to get the Wingnuts on the board. John Rodriguez added a two-run shot in the top of the third. Josh Stone, Lincoln Holdzkom, and Daniel Bennett each threw a scoreless inning of relief in support of Capra. Sioux City starter Jason Jarvis took the loss. In his previous three starts against the Wingnuts, Jarvis had thrown a complete game without allowing an earned run and had snapped winning streaks of 11, eight, and five games.

ALL-TIME AGAINST THE EXPLORERS: The Wingnuts are 47-32 all-time against the Sioux City Explorers, including a 23-12 mark at Lewis and Clark Park. The Explorers and Lincoln Saltdogs are the only two teams to have remained in the same division as the Wingnuts since Wichita began play in 2008. The Explorers were 45-55 in 2012. Stan Cliburn returns for his third year as Explorers' manager, and guided the club to a 51-49 record during his first season in 2011. Cliburn played for the California Angels in 1980 and has managed as high as the Triple-A level. Cliburn skippered the International League's Rochester Red Wings (Minnesota Twins) for four seasons. The Explorers last made the playoffs in 2008 when they won the North Division's second half. Sioux City is an original independent franchise that began play in the Northern League in 1993. The Explorers are in their 21st season.

SERIES MATCHUP: The Wingnuts are 38-18 and lead the Gary SouthShore RailCats by 4.0 games in the Central Division. The Wingnuts just swept a four-game series from the Kansas City T-Bones. The Explorers are 23-32 and in fourth place in the Central. Sioux City trails the Wingnuts by 14.5 games. The X's were just swept in a four-game series at Sioux Falls. The Wingnuts are first in the American Association in hitting (.298), first in pitching (3.16), and tied for fifth in in fielding (.976). The Explorers are 12th in the league in batting (.261), eighth in pitching (4.73), and first in defense (.980). The teams played two series during the month of June with the Wingnuts taking two of three at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium and the clubs splitting a four-game set at Lewis and Clark Park.

TONIGHT'S STARTERS: The Wingnuts go with right-hander Chris Smith who is 5-3 with a 3.96 ERA in 11 starts. Smith earned a win vs. Kansas City last Wednesday, allowing three earned runs in 7.0 IP. Smith is 2-3 with a 4.05 ERA on the road this season in six starts. Smith has allowed three or fewer earned runs in seven of 11 starts and has allowed more than four earned runs in just three of them. Smith has walked three or fewer batters in 10 of 11 starts. Smith has pitched at least 6.0 innings in 10 of 11 starts and has pitched at least 5.0 innings in all of them. Smith has worked at least 7.0 innings in each of his last four starts. Smith took a complete game loss at Sioux City on June 23rd, allowing five earned runs on nine hits in 8.0 IP. It was Smith's second career complete game and the first since throwing a complete game shutout for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs (Boston) on June 4th, 2006 at Connecticut. In his following start, Smith beat the Explorers at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, allowing three unearned runs over 7.0 IP. In both of Smith's starts against Sioux City this year, he has matched up against Richard Salazar.

Prior to this season, Smith last pitched in 2011 for the Triple-A Pacific Coast League's Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle). 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.

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 Explorers go with left-hander Richard Salazar who is 4-2 with a 4.24 ERA in nine starts. Salazar took a loss at Sioux Falls last Wednesday, allowing five earned runs on 11 hits over 7.0 innings. Salazar is 2-0 with a 2.81 ERA at home this season in five starts. Since joining the American Association in 2008, Salazar is 7-6 lifetime at Lewis and Clark Park with a 4.41 ERA (55 ER, 112.1 IP) over 18 starts and three relief outings. Salazar has allowed two or fewer earned runs in five of nine starts and has allowed more than three earned runs in just two of them. Salazar has walked two or fewer batters in six of nine starts and has walked three or fewer batters in eight of them. Salazar has pitched at least 6.0 innings in five of nine starts and has pitched at least 5.0 innings in seven of them. Salazar is 0-1 against the Wingnuts this season with a 9.00 ERA in two starts. Salazar took a no-decision against the Wingnuts at Lewis and Clark Park on June 23rd allowing three earned runs in 6.0 IP, and then allowed a season-high eight earned runs in 5.0 IP in a loss at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on June 29th . Salazar is in his third season with the Explorers, first joining them late in 2011. Last season, Salazar was 8-7 with a 4.08 ERA in 20 starts for Sioux City.

Salazar was a member of the Wingnuts' inaugural team in 2008, and was 8-7 for the Wingnuts from 2008-09. Salazar still ranks fifth in franchise history in ERA (3.53) and fourth in appearances (57). Salazar is 1-3 with a 5.91 ERA (21 ER, 32.0 IP) in five lifetime starts against the Wingnuts.

Salazar is 67-43 with 12 saves and a 3.91 ERA in 12 professional seasons over 360 appearances, 116 of them starts. Salazar was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 13th round in 2001 out of Miami-Dade College in Miami, FL. Salazar reached Triple-A Norfolk with Baltimore in 2007.

HINSON PURCHASED BY BRAVES: Wingnuts' left-hander Ryan Hinson was purchased by the Atlanta Braves' organization on July 11th . Hinson was 7-2 in 10 starts with a league-best 1.53 ERA. Hinson also ranked seventh in the American Association in strikeouts (57) at the time of his purchase. Hinson allowed two or fewer earned runs in nine of 10 starts this season, and did not allow more than three earned runs in any of them. Hinson was named the American Association's Pitcher of the Month for June.

Hinson was 27-15 with a 3.58 ERA during his three seasons with the Wingnuts over 51 starts and three relief outings. Hinson ranks first all-time in Wingnuts' history in wins (27) and strikeouts (234). Hinson was also 2-1 with a 4.19 ERA in three postseason starts from 2011-12. During his time with the Wingnuts, Hinson was especially tough at home. Including the postseason, Hinson was 18-7 with a 2.84 ERA at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium over 29 starts and two relief appearances.

'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 14th at Sioux City, Rodriguez hit a two-run home run in the top of the third inning that tied him with Josh Horn (2009-11) for the most RBI in franchise history (125).

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.

NIEVES STAYING HOT: Wingnuts' third baseman Abel Nieves leads the American Association in batting average (.379) and is 68 for 157 (.433) in his last 43 games with 34 runs scored, 14 doubles, and 23 walks. 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. On May 27th vs. Amarillo, Nieves picked up the 500th hit of his eight-year professional career. 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 50 of 55 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' first baseman CJ Ziegler ranks first in the American Association in both home runs (17) and RBI (57). 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.

ZIEGLER NEW HOME RUN LEADER: Wingnuts' first baseman CJ Ziegler hit a solo home run on June 14th vs. St. Paul in the opener of a double header. It was Ziegler's ninth home run of 2013, and his 27th in a Wingnuts' uniform over the last two years, setting a new franchise record. Ryan Patterson (2010-11) held the previous record with 26 home runs.

TOUGH LOSSES: Of the Wingnuts' 18 losses this season, 11 have been by one run, two by two runs, and three by three runs. Wichita has held a lead at some point in 11 of their 18 losses.

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. It was the first time the Wingnuts hit back-to-back home runs since July 26th, 2011 when Josh Horn and Brent Clevlen did it vs. Fargo-Moorhead. Ziegler and Clevlen homered on back-to-back pitches on Monday, June 24th vs. Laredo.

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 last year, and was hitting .400 with the sacks full going into June 11th of this season, 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.

PITCHING STRONG: The Wingnuts rank first in the American Association with a 3.16 team ERA. The Wingnuts ranked first in ERA in 2009 and 2010 while finishing third in 2011.

SWINGING STRONG: The Wingnuts rank first in the American Association with a .298 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 fifth in the American Association with a .976 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 176-100 (.638) 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.

GUERRA PROTECTING THE HOME FRONT: Wingnuts' right-hander Junior Guerra has excelled when pitching at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Guerra is 10-2 with a 3.05 ERA (39 ER, 115.0 IP) all-time in Wichita over 17 starts.

ALL HE DOES IS WIN: Wingnuts' fifth-year manager Kevin Hooper is 260-188 (.580) since taking over in 2009. Hooper has guided the Wingnuts to four consecutive winning seasons, as well as three playoff berths. Hooper's .580 winning percentage is the highest among American Association managers over the last five years. His 260 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.

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 1.32 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 13.2 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 3.82 ERA in 37.2 IP for the Triple-A Pacific Coast League's Round Rock Express (Texas). RHP Jon Link was purchased by the Detroit Tigers in June 19th and is 3-1 with a 1.13 ERA in five starts for the Double-A Eastern League's Erie SeaWolves. LHP Ryan Hinson was purchased by the Atlanta Braves on July 11th and has been assigned to the High-A Carolina League's Lynchburg Hillcats.

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