Wichita Wingnuts Game Notes

Published on May 20, 2013 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


WINGNUTS TAKE SERIES ON STORMY SUNDAY: The Wichita Wingnuts took three of four from the Kansas City T-Bones to open the year after winning a rain-shortened, six-inning contest 3-2 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on Sunday evening. Cole Armstrong hit a tie-breaking, two-run homer in the top of the sixth, while Junior Guerra earned credit for a complete game win. Guerra allowed two earned runs on four hits with six strikeouts in six innings of work. Derek Perren accounted for the Wingnuts' other run. Armstrong finished the game with two hits. Perren was 3 for 3, while Jake Kahaulelio had two hits and a walk. It was the first complete game by a Wingnuts' pitcher since August 27th, 2012 when Josh Lowey threw a two-hit shutout in a seven-inning game vs. El Paso.

ALL-TIME AGAINST THE RAILCATS: The Wingnuts are 10-5 all-time against the Gary SouthShore RailCats, including a 5-4 mark at US Steel Yard. Gary 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, and guided the team to the playoffs in each of his first six years. Tagert led the RailCats to a Northern League championship in 2005 and 2007, and was named Northern League Manager of the Year in 2007 and 2009. Entering 2013, Tagert is 844-685 (.552) in his managerial career, which also includes nine years of service in the Frontier League. Tagert has never had a losing season in any of his 17 seasons as a professional manager. 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 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 had to play their first inaugural season exclusively on the road.

SERIES MATCHUP: The Wingnuts begin the season 3-1 and are in a first place tie with the Sioux City Explorers in the Central Division. Gary SouthShore is 2-2 after splitting a four-game series with the Lincoln Saltdogs to open the season. Gary and Lincoln are tied for third place in the Central. The Wingnuts rank third in the league in batting average (.291), fifth in pitching (2.73), and second in fielding (.993). The RailCats are 10th in batting (.204), 10th in pitching (4.97), and ninth in defense (.966). The Wingnuts were 6-3 against the RailCats in 2012.

TONIGHT'S STARTERS: The Wingnuts open their series in Gary with left-hander Kristhiam Linares, who has spent the last two seasons pitching in Italy. Linares pitched for Bollate last year, going 5-5 with one save and a 1.66 ERA in 15 starts and one relief appearance. Linares struck out 165 in 103.0 IP. In 2011, Linares was 8-4 with a 1.48 ERA for Codogno in 18 starts, striking out 211 in 127.2 IP. Linares originally signed with the Florida Marlins in 2004 as an international free agent and is 6-15 with a 4.30 ERA in four professional seasons. Linares reached Double-A Springfield in the St. Louis Cardinals' organization in 2009.

The RailCats go with left-hander Alain Quijano who started opening night and allowed seven earned runs in 4.1 IP in a no-decision. The RailCats won the game 9-8 in 11 innings. Quijano will be working on three days of rest. Quijano was a combined 5-7 with a 3.91 ERA for the Sioux City 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 27-36 with one save and a 4.77 ERA in eight professional seasons over 156 appearances, 80 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. Quijano lost his only career start against the Wingnuts, allowing six earned runs in 4.2 IP at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on June 5th, 2012 as a member of Sioux City.

ZIEGLER APPROACHING RECORD: Wingunts' first baseman CJ Ziegler has three home runs this season. His 21 home runs in a Wingnuts' uniform over the last two years rank tied for third in franchise history with Kelly Hunt (2009), and trail Ryan Patterson's (2010-11) 26 home runs for first place.

HINSON CLIMBING THE RANKS: Ryan Hinson won his 21st game in a Wingnuts' uniform on May 18th at Kansas City. Hinson ranks second all-time in team history in victories, and trails Derek Blacksher (2009 and 2011-12, 26) for first place. Hinson's 180 strikeouts rank third all-time.

FAMILIAR FACES: Nine players return from the Wingnuts' 2012 team that reached the American Association Championship Series. They include SS Ryan Khoury, 2B Jake Kahaulelio, DH John Rodriguez, 1B CJ Ziegler, CF Jared McDonald, LHP Ryan Hinson, LHP Anthony Capra, RHP Josh Dew, and LHP Nick Walters. RHP Junior Guerra, who starred for the Wingnuts in 2011, has also returned for 2013.

RETIREMENTS: Five players from last year's team have opted to retire from professional baseball. They include OF Mike Conroy, RHP Jared Simon, RHP James Baker, C Jessie Mier, and OF Steve Stanley.

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: The Wingnuts are 152-94 (.618) 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.

ALUMNI REPORT: RHP Matt Nevarez (2011-12) has a 1.69 ERA for the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits (Tampa Bay) with 12 strikeouts in 10.2 IP. RHP James Hoyt (2012) has a 4.01 ERA for the High-A Carolina League's Lynchburg Hillcats (Atlanta) with 46 strikeouts and just 21 hits allowed in 33.2 IP. RHP Andrew Aizenstadt (2012) is currently in extended spring training with the Philadelphia Phillies' organization. LHP and Wingnuts' co-owner Nate Robertson (2012) has a 3.31 ERA in 16.1 IP for the Triple-A Pacific Coast League's Round Rock Express (Texas).

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American Association Stories from May 20, 2013


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