Sports stats



Wichita Wingnuts Game Notes - June 18th, 2013

June 18, 2013 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


LINK DOMINANT IN COMPLETE GAME: The Wichita Wingnuts won 8-2 over the Gary SouthShore RailCats on Monday night. Jon Link threw the first complete game of his nine-year professional career to earn the win. Link allowed two earned runs on five hits, walked two, and struck out a season-high nine batters. It was the first nine-inning complete game by a Wingnuts' starter since Chad Sherman threw a two-hit shutout vs. Shreveport-Bossier on July 10th, 2011. Offensively, the Wingnuts scored three early runs in support of Link, including a solo home run from John Rodriguez in the third. Wichita broke the game open with a five-run seventh that included a three-run homer from Brent Clevlen. Link's complete game was the third by a Wingnuts' starter this season. David Amberson's 16-game hitting streak came to an end.

ALL-TIME AGAINST THE RAILCATS: The Wingnuts are 12-7 all-time against the Gary SouthShore RailCats, including a 6-1 mark at Lawrence- Dumont Stadium. 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 209. 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 is the Frontier League's all-time wins leader as a skipper. The Wingnuts and RailCats battled neck and neck for the 2011 Central Division title with the Wingnuts clinching the division by one 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 that vaulted them 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 20-10 and lead the Lincoln Saltdogs by 2.5 games in the Central Division. The Wingnuts won three of four this weekend from the St. Paul Saints. The RailCats are 14-14 and trail in the Wingnuts by 5.0 games in the Central Division. The RailCats just won two of three at Fargo-Moorhead. The Wingnuts are first in the league in hitting (.305), first in pitching (3.25), and tied for second in fielding (.979). The RailCats are tied for 12th in batting (.260), sixth in pitching (4.42), and 10th in defense (.969). Gary SouthShore took two of three from Wichita at US Steel Yard in late-May.

TONIGHT'S STARTERS: The Wingnuts open their double header with Chris Smith who is 2-2 with a 4.38 ERA in six starts. Smith took a no-decision last Wednesday at Winnipeg, allowing three runs, two earned, on five hits in 6.0 IP. Smith tied a season-high with six strikeouts. Wichita lost the game 4-3. Smith is 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA at home this season in two starts. Smith has allowed three or fewer earned runs in four of six starts, and has allowed more than four earned runs in a start just once. Smith has walked two or fewer batters in five of six starts, and has not walked more than three in any of them. Smith has pitched at least 6.0 innings in five of six starts, and has pitched at least 5.0 innings in all of them. Smith beat the RailCats on May 22nd at US Steel Yard, allowing one earned run on four hits in a season-high 7.0 innings.

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 saves 26 games for the Nashville Sounds, which led the Pacific Coast League, and ranked second overall at the Triple-A level.

Gary SouthShore goes with left-hander Alain Quijano who is 4-2 with a 4.99 ERA in seven starts. Quijano earned a win at Fargo-Moorhead on Friday, allowing three earned runs on six hits in 6.0 IP. Quijano is working on three days of rest. Quijano is 2-1 with a 6.43 ERA on the road in three starts. Quijano has allowed three or fewer earned runs in four of seven starts and has allowed more than four earned runs in a start just twice. Quijano has walked three or fewer batters in six of seven starts. Quijano has pitched at least 5.0 innings in five of seven starts. Quijano beat the Wingnuts on May 20th at US Steel Yard, allowing five hits over 6.0 shutout innings. Quijano is 1-1 lifetime against the Wingnuts in two starts, and took a loss at Lawrence- Dumont Stadium on June 5th, 2012, allowing six earned runs in 4.2 IP while pitching for the Sioux City Explorers.

Quijano was a combined 5-7 with a 3.91 ERA for the Explorers and Grand Prairie AirHogs last year. Quijano was tied for 16th in the American Association in ERA. Quijano struck out 56 and walked only 27 in 112.2 innings over 18 starts. Quijano allowed three or fewer earned runs in 12 of 18 starts, and allowed five or more earned runs in five of them. Quijano walked two or fewer batters in 14 of 18 starts, and walked more than three batters in just two of them. Quijano pitched 6.0 or more innings in 13 of 18 starts and tied for sixth in the American Association with three complete games.

Quijano is 31-38 with one save and a 4.72 ERA in eight professional seasons over 162 appearances, 86 of them as a starter. Quijano has spent his entire career in the independent ranks, and is in his third tour with the RailCats, having pitched for them in 2009 and 2011.

In the nightcap, the Wingnuts go with left-hander Anthony Capra who is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in two starts and five relief appearances. Capra started the second game of last Friday's double header vs. St. Paul and did not allow a run in 3.0 innings while taking a no-decision. Capra is working on three days of rest. Last Friday was Capra's 100th career start. Capra's other start this season came on June 4th vs. El Paso in which he allowed one earned run on three hits in 6.0 IP. Capra is 1-0 with a 1.98 ERA at home this season in two starts and two relief appearances. Since joining the Wingnuts last July, Capra is 2-0 with a 3.06 ERA (12 ER, 35.1 IP) at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in six starts and two relief appearances. Capra faced the RailCats twice in relief earlier this year, allowing no runs in 2.2 total innings.

Capra is 22-35 in six professional seasons with a 4.16 ERA in 114 games, 100 of them starts. Capra was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 4th round in 2008 out of Wichita State University. Capra reached Triple-A Sacramento in 2011, and has averaged 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings during his career. Capra was Oakland's Organizational Pitcher of the Year in 2009 after striking out 170 batters in 152.0 IP with a 3.20 ERA between two levels of their farm system. Capra was an All-American and a Missouri Valley Conference All-Star during his junior season in 2008, going 9-1 with a 3.54 ERA and helping Wichita State reach the NCAA Super Regionals. Capra is the 10th former Shocker to play for the Wingnuts.

The RailCats go with right-hander Billy Spottiswood who is 0-2 with a 2.89 ERA in 16 games all in relief. Spottiswood is making the fourth start of his seven-year professional career. Spottiswood was signed by Gary SouthShore last week and made his RailCats' debut on Friday at Fargo-Moorhead, throwing 1.0 scoreless relief outing. Spottiswood's last start came on July 8th, 2010 while pitching for the High-A California League's Visalia Oaks in the Arizona Diamondbacks' organization. Spottiswood allowed four earned runs in 4.1 IP in a no-decision at High Desert. Spottiswood began the season with the St. Paul Saints, and had a 3.24 ERA in seven relief outings. Spottiswood is 0-0 in four career relief appearances against the Wingnuts, allowing one earned run in 4.1 IP.

Spottiswood is 26-28 with 37 saves and a 3.56 ERA in his career. Spottiswood has averaged 7.6 strikeouts and only 2.6 walks per nine innings in seven pro seasons. Spottiswood was drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 25th round in 2007 out of California State University, Chico and reached Triple-A Reno in both 2009 and 2010.

AMBERSON NAMED BATTER OF THE WEEK: Wingnuts' right fielder David Amberson has been named the American Association's Batter of the Week for June 10th -16th . Amberson was 14 for 24 (.583) in seven games, scoring seven runs and collecting seven RBI. Amberson is the second Wingnut to receive the honor this season. Jared McDonald was named Batter of the Week for May 27th -June 2nd .

MAJOR LEAGUE BAT RETURNS TO WINGNUTS: The Wichita Wingnuts signed outfielder Brent Clevlen on Monday afternoon. Clevlen appeared in 54 games this season for the Arizona Diamondbacks' Triple-A (Reno) and Double-A (Mobile) affiliates, hitting .217 with six home runs and 21 RBI. Clevlen hit .260 for Mobile last year with 10 home runs and 39 RBI before earning a late-season promotion to Reno. Clevlen hit .377 for the Aces in 31 games and helped them win both the Pacific Coast League championship and the Triple-A level championship. Clevlen hit .310 with 10 home runs and 32 RBI in 46 games for the Wingnuts in 2011 before having his contract purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies' organization. Clevlen spent parts of four seasons in the Major Leagues with the Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves. Clevlen played with Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper and co-owner Nate Robertson for the Tigers in 2006. Wichita placed right-handed pitcher Lincoln Holdzkom and outfielder Mike Mobbs on waivers.

WAHL ADDED TO BULLPEN: The Wingnuts acquired right-handed pitcher Kyle Wahl from the United League's Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings on Monday. Wahl earned six saves and did not allow a run in 8.2 IP. Wahl posted a 2.23 ERA for the Minnesota Twins' rookie Gulf Coast League affiliate in 2011 before missing most of last year with an injury.

WELCOME TO THE PROS: True rookie right-hander Josh Stone earned the win in his professional debut on Saturday, June 15th vs. St. Paul with 2.0 shutout relief innings. Stone became the 29th player in team history to make his professional debut with the Wingnuts.

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 27th home run 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.

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.

LOTS OF BASEBALL: Beginning with Friday's double header vs. St. Paul, the Wingnuts have eight games scheduled over a six-day span. Wichita and Gary SouthShore will play a day/night double header on Tuesday. Both games are scheduled for nine innings.

GRAND SLAM TIME: On Tuesday, June 11th at Winnipeg, Abel Nieves hit the Wingnuts' first grand slam home run since Juan Richardson hit a bases loaded 'big fly' on August 27th, 2011 in a 19-2 rout at El Paso. Wichita hit .309 as a team with the bases loaded last season, and entered June 11th hitting .400 in 2013, but had gone 126 consecutive games without a grand slam.

STRONGEST LINK: Jon Link improved to a league-best 6-1 on Monday after throwing a complete game win vs. Gary SouthShore. Link also leads the American Association with a 1.74 ERA. Link rattled off 24.0 consecutive scoreless innings over four starts from June 1st -17th, and fell just shy of Nick Singleton's franchise record of 26.2 innings set in 2011.

'AMBO' ROLLING: Wingnuts' rookie right fielder David Amberson hit safely in 16 games in a row (26 for 55, .473) from May 31st -June 16th . Amberson is 30 for 68 (.441) over his last 20 games with 16 runs scored and 15 RBI. Amberson slugged the first home run of his professional career on June 10th at Winnipeg.

ABEL HEATING UP: Wingnuts' third baseman Abel Nieves is 33 for 87 (.379) in his last 24 games with 19 runs scored and 16 walks. Nieves hit .320 for the Joliet Slammers last year, which ranked second in the Frontier League. On May 27th vs. Amarillo, Nieves picked up the 500th hit of his professional career.

PITCHING STRONG: The Wingnuts rank first in the American Association with a 3.25 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 .305 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 .979 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.

HINSON CLIMBING THE RANKS: Ryan Hinson won his 24th game in a Wingnuts' uniform on June 14th vs. St. Paul in the opener of a double header. Hinson ranks second all-time in team history in victories, and trails Derek Blacksher (2009, 2011-12) for first place (26 wins). Hinson's 214 strikeouts rank second all-time, and are four shy of tying Blacksher for first place.

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: The Wingnuts are 164-97 (.628) 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.

FRONT LINERS PROTECTING THE HOME FRONT: Third-year Wingnuts' starter Ryan Hinson has excelled when pitching at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Including the postseason, Hinson is 15-6 with a 3.32 ERA (61 ER, 165.1 IP) over 25 starts and two relief appearances. Junior Guerra-who is in his second overall season with the Wingnuts-is 9-2 with a 3.15 ERA (36 ER, 103.0 IP) all-time at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in 15 starts.

ALL HE DOES IS WIN: Wingnuts' fifth-year manager Kevin Hooper is 242-180 (.573) since taking over in 2009. Hooper has guided the Wingnuts to four consecutive winning seasons, as well as three playoff berths. Hooper's .573 winning percentage is the highest among American Association managers over the last five years. His 242 wins also rank first during that same stretch. During his 10-year playing career, Hooper was a member of a team that made the playoffs in eight different seasons. 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 Montgomery Biscuits (Tampa Bay) with 13 strikeouts in 11.2 IP. RHP James Hoyt (2012) has a 4.89 ERA for the High-A Carolina League's Lynchburg Hillcats (Atlanta) with 72 strikeouts and just 39 hits allowed in 49.2 IP. LHP and Wingnuts' co-owner Nate Robertson (2012) has a 2.60 ERA in 27.2 IP for the Triple-A Pacific Coast League's Round Rock Express (Texas).



American Association Stories from June 18, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Wichita Wingnuts Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central