Wichita Wingnuts Game Notes - September 5th, 2013

September 5, 2013 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


WINGNUTS GRIND OUT GAME ONE VICTORY: The Wichita Wingnuts beat the Grand Prairie AirHogs 2-0 in 12 innings in Game One of the American Association Division Series at QuikTrip Park on Wednesday night. Johnny Bowden drew a pinch-hit, bases loaded walk in the top of the 12th to drive in the game's first run. David Amberson followed with an RBI single. Josh Dew closed out the game with a perfect bottom of the 12th to earn the save. Wichita's bullpen combined for 6.0 shutout innings and allowed just one hit. Junior Guerra started and took a no-decision. Guerra threw 6.0 scoreless innings, allowing five hits and five walks. Guerra struck out six. John Rodriguez had three hits for Wichita and scored the go-ahead run in the 12th . The game lasted four hours and 26 minutes and was the first 12-inning game for Wichita since July 12th, 2012 vs. Kansas City. The win snapped Grand Prairie's six-game winning streak, as well as a six-game postseason winning streak at QuikTrip Park dating back to 2008.

ALL-TIME AGAINST THE AIRHOGS: The Wingnuts are 14-16 all-time against the Grand Prairie AirHogs in the regular season, including a 4-13 mark at QuikTrip Park. The AirHogs beat the Wingnuts in four games in the 2011 Division Series en route to winning the American Association championship. The Wingnuts are 1-2 at QuikTrip Park in postseason play. The AirHogs joined the American Association with the Wingnuts in 2008 and reached the American Association Championship Series under current Laredo Lemurs' manager Pete Incaviglia. Ricky Van Asselberg is in his third year as AirHogs' skipper. Van Asselberg led Grand Prairie during their 2011 championship run, and also guided the Shreveport-Bossier Captains to an American Association title in 2010. Van Asselberg won back-to-back United League crowns with the Alexandria Aces in 2006 and 2007, and has won four total rings in his first seven years as a professional manager. Late Wingnuts' bench coach Brian Rose served in the same capacity for the AirHogs during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Former Major Leaguer Brian Myrow returns for a second year in Grand Prairie. Derek Blacksher, who entered 2013 as the Wingnuts' all-time leader in wins and strikeouts, leads the AirHogs' rotation.

SERIES MATCHUP: The Wingnuts were 68-32 and clinched the American Association Central Division on August 23rd . Wichita swept a three-game series vs. Kansas City to finish the regular season. The Wingnuts won 23 of their final 30 regular season games. The AirHogs were 54-46 and clinched the South Division on the final day of the regular season as a result of Amarillo's loss at Sioux Falls. Grand Prairie finished the year on a six-game winning streak, including a three-game sweep vs. Lincoln over the weekend. The Wingnuts finished first in the American Association in hitting (.297), first in pitching (3.38), and tied for first in fielding (.977). The AirHogs were 10th in batting (.266), fourth in pitching (4.13), and tied for sixth in defense (.975). Wichita was 4-6 against Grand Prairie during three regular season series, including a 2-5 record at QuikTrip Park.

TONIGHT'S STARTERS: The Wingnuts go with right-hander Chris Smith who was 8-4 with a 3.55 ERA during 20 regular season starts. Smith ranked ninth in the American Association in ERA, fifth in strikeouts (112), and posted the second-lowest opponents' batting average among starting pitchers (.235). Smith's final start came on August 30th at Lincoln in which he allowed four earned runs on nine hits in 6.0 IP in a no-decision. Wichita lost the game 6-5. Smith was 4-4 with a 3.79 ERA on the road this season in 12 starts. Smith allowed three or fewer earned runs in 14 of 20 starts. Smith walked two or fewer batters in 15 of 20 starts and walked more than three batters in just one of them. Smith pitched at least 6.0 innings in 19 of 20 starts and pitched at least 5.0 innings in all of them. Smith pitched into the seventh inning 12 times. Over his final 12 starts, Smith was 6-1 with a 2.67 ERA (24 ER, 81.0 IP). Smith was 1-0 with a 2.66 ERA (6 ER, 20.1 IP) against the AirHogs in three regular season starts, including two at QuikTrip Park.

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 AirHogs go with right-hander Josh Strawn who was 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 21 starts during the regular season. Strawn last pitched on August 31st vs. Lincoln, allowing one earned run on six hits in 7.2 IP while picking up the win. Strawn was 4-3 with a 3.03 ERA at home this season in 10 starts. All- time at QuikTrip Park, Strawn is 8-4 with a 2.93 ERA (45 ER, 138.0 IP) in 20 starts. Strawn allowed three or fewer earned runs in 14 of 21 starts, and allowed more than four earned runs in just two of them. Strawn walked one or zero batters in 14 of 21 starts and walked three or fewer batters in all of them. From June 4th vs. Laredo (Game 1) to July 2nd vs. Wichita, Strawn pitched 31.1 consecutive innings without allowing a walk. Strawn pitched at least 6.0 innings in 17 of 21 starts and pitched at least 5.0 innings in 20 of them. Strawn was 1-0 with a 2.95 ERA (6 ER, 18.1 IP) against the Wingnuts in three regular season starts, and matched up against Chris Smith on August 25th at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Lifetime against the Wingnuts, Strawn is 2-0 with a 3.65 ERA (15 ER, 37.0 IP) in six starts. Strawn made his professional debut against the Wingnuts on July 18th, 2011 while pitching for the Shreveport-Bossier Captains at Fairgrounds Field. Strawn took a no-decision, allowing two earned runs in 6.0 IP. The Wingnuts won the game 8-4. Prior to last Saturday, Strawn was 0-3 with a 5.85 ERA (21 ER, 32.1 IP) in his previous five starts.

Strawn was 7-5 with a 4.13 ERA in 20 starts for the AirHogs last season. Strawn is in his third year of professional baseball and is 19-16 with a lifetime 4.08 ERA in 50 games, all of them as a starter. Strawn has averaged just 2.0 walks and 0.6 home runs per nine innings in his career. Strawn was signed by the Captains in 2011 after pitching collegiately at Southern Polytechnic University in Marietta, GA. Strawn was 6-5 with a 2.13 ERA in 88.2 IP for the Hornets as a senior in 2011.

WINNINGEST WINGNUTS: The Wichita Wingnuts set American Association records for wins (68) and winning percentage (.680). The previous record for wins was 65, shared by the 2006 Lincoln Saltdogs (65-31, .677) and the 2012 Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (65-35, .650). Wichita's 65th win of the season came on August 29th at Lincoln, while the record-breaking 66th victory was August 31st vs. Kansas City. The 2006 Saltdogs held the previous record for single-season winning percentage.

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 290-202 (.589) since taking over the club in 2009 and has guided the Wingnuts to four playoff berths. Hooper's .589 winning percentage is the highest among American Association managers over the last five years. His 290 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.

FIVE WINGNUTS NAMED ALL-STARS: Five Wingnuts were named to the American Association's Postseason All-Star Team on August 30th . First baseman CJ Ziegler, second baseman Jake Kahaulelio, third baseman Abel Nieves, outfielder Brent Clevlen, and designated hitter John Rodriguez all received honors.

WINGNUTS SHATTER LEAGUE RECORDS FOR STRIKEOUTS, ERA: The Wingnuts' pitching staff set two major American Association records this season. The Wingnuts' 3.38 team ERA bested the 2008 Fort Worth Cats' mark of 3.49. Wichita hurlers also shattered the league record for strikeouts with 782. The 2012 Laredo Lemurs held the previous record at 738. Wichita passed Laredo with 11 team strikeouts on August 27th at Lincoln. The Wingnuts also had eight starting pitching performances of 10 or more strikeouts. In their first five seasons combined, the Wingnuts had three total double digit strikeout games from a starting pitcher.

NIEVES, ZIEGLER SWEEP TRIPLE CROWN: For the first time in their history, the Wingnuts had a player lead all three triple crown categories. Third baseman Abel Nieves became the fourth Wingnut to win a batting title in the team's first six years. Nieves paced the league at .357. 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.

First baseman CJ Ziegler topped the league in both home runs (30) and RBI (99). The 30 home runs established a new American Association single- season record. The previous record belonged to Brandon Sing, who hit 27 for the Sioux Falls Pheasants in 2010. Ziegler tied Sing on August 21st at Gary SouthShore. The following night, Tim Pahuta of the Sioux Falls Canaries cracked his 27th and 28th homers of the season to pass both Ziegler and Sing for the league record. Ziegler re-took the lead (and record) with home runs in three consecutive games from August 24th -27th . Pahuta finished the season with 29.

WALTERS BREAKS APPEARANCES RECORD: Wingnuts' left-hander Nick Walters led the club with 50 appearances this season. Walters' 48th appearance came on August 28th at Lincoln. It was also Walters' 105th outing in a Wingnuts' uniform over the last two years, breaking Jared Simon's franchise record. Walters and Simon each appeared in 57 games in 2012 to set an American Association single-season record.

TRIPLE TRIPLE: With four strikeouts on August 22nd at Gary SouthShore, left-hander Anthony Capra became the third Wingnuts' pitcher to reach 100 or more strikeouts this season. Junior Guerra finished second in the American Association with 126 strikeouts. Capra ranked third with 122. Chris Smith was fifth at 112.

KAHAULELIO BREAKING RECORDS: Wingnuts' all-star second baseman Jake Kahaulelio led the American Association in runs scored (91). The 91 runs are a new Wingnuts' single-season record and surpass the 81 scored by Juan Richardson in 2011. Kahaulelio was also hit by a pitch 22 times, which set an American Association record. David Thomas (Grand Prairie, 2011) held the previous league record with 20, while Jorge Delgado (2011) owned the prior Wingnuts' mark with 18 HBP. Kahaulelio won the American Association batting title last season (.372) and was named the league's all- star second baseman.

ROAD WARRIORS: For a second straight season, the Wingnuts finished with a winning record on the road. Wichita was 31-19 (.620) away from Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in 2013, which included an 11-5 mark during the team's annual NBC road trip.

KHOURY SETTING THE TABLE AGAIN: Wingnuts' shortstop Ryan Khoury reached base in 89 of 99 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 AND RBI KING: Wingnuts' first baseman CJ Ziegler finished first in the American Association in home runs (30) and RBI (99). 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 on June 14th vs. St. Paul, Ziegler hit his ninth home run of 2013 and his 27th in a Wingnuts' uniform, passing Ryan Patterson (2010-11) for the most in franchise history. On August 21st at Gary SouthShore, Ziegler collected four RBI to reach 90 for the year and break the Wingnuts' single-season mark. Greg Porter (2009) and Juan Richardson (2011) shared the previous team record at 86. 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 six professional seasons.

DEW WORK: Wingnuts' closer Josh Dew tied Lincoln Saltdogs' reliever RJ Rodriguez for the league lead in saves (27). It is the first time in Wingnuts' history the team has had a pitcher lead the league in saves. The 27 conversions are a franchise single-season record. Byron Embry (2008) and Dew (2011) shared the previous record with 20. Dew's 56 saves in a Wingnuts' uniform since 2011 are the most in team history.

POWER AND SPEED: The Wingnuts offense was driven by a rare mix of power and speed. Wichita finished first in the American Association with 107 home runs and first with 146 stolen bases. Wichita led the American Association with 86 home runs in 2009, which stood as a franchise single-season record until this year. 2013 marks the first time the Wingnuts have led the league in steals. The franchise-best for stolen bases is 150 set in 2012.

STINGY ARMS: The Wingnuts' pitching staff finished first in opponents' batting average at .236. Anthony Capra ranked first among starting pitchers at .228. Chris Smith was second at .235. Junior Guerra placed eighth at .252.

PITCHING STRONG: The Wingnuts set an American Association record with a 3.38 team ERA. The Wingnuts ranked first in ERA in 2009 (3.52) and 2010 (4.05), while finishing third in 2011 (4.52).

SWINGING STRONG: The Wingnuts finished first in the American Association with a .297 team batting average. Wichita was first in the league in hitting in 2011 (.311) and second in 2012 (.291).

GLOVE WORK: The Wingnuts finished tied for first in the American Association with a .977 fielding percentage. Wichita has now led the league in defense in four of its first six years of existence (2008, 2009, 2012, 2013), 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 188-106 (.639) 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.

COMPLETE ME: The Wingnuts' pitching staff ranked second in the American Association with seven complete games, which tied a franchise single- season record. The Wingnuts also had seven complete games in 2009 and 2010.

TOUGH LOSSES: Of the Wingnuts' 32 losses this season, 17 were by one run, three by two runs, and four by three runs. Wichita held a lead at some point in 19 of its 32 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 2.87 ERA (44 ER, 138.0 IP) in 19 career starts and one relief appearance in Wichita.

ZIEGLER HITS FOR THE CYCLE: Wingnuts' first baseman CJ Ziegler hit for the first cycle in team history on August 21st at Gary SouthShore. Ziegler hit a solo home run in the top of the first inning, added a two-run triple in the third, and picked up an RBI double in the seventh. The single came in Ziegler's final at bat in the top of the ninth.

'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. Rodriguez finished the 2013 season with 167 Wingnuts' 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) had 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) earned a mid-season promotion to the Southern League's Mississippi Braves (Atlanta) and posted a 2.48 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 32.2 IP. Hoyt pitched to 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) had a 3.04 ERA in 50.1 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 0-4 with a 5.56 ERA in seven starts and four relief appearances following a recent promotion to the Triple-A International League's Toledo Mud Hens. LHP Ryan Hinson was purchased by the Atlanta Braves on July 11th and went 4-4 with a 2.48 ERA in 10 starts for the High-A Lynchburg.



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