Wingnuts' Comeback Falls Inches Short

June 7, 2013 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


ST. PAUL, MN- The Wichita Wingnuts (14-7) lost 8-7 to the St. Paul Saints (12-9) at Midway Stadium on Friday night.

Wichita nearly erased a six-run deficit in the late innings, falling inches shy in the top of the ninth when the tying run was thrown out at the plate to end the game.

Trailing 8-7 in the ninth, John Rodriguez lined a single to center field. Tim Rotola pinch-ran for Rodriguez and advanced to second two batters later when Cole Armstrong was hit by a pitch. Stephen Yoo then pinch-ran for Armstrong. After Abel Nieves was called out on strikes for the second out of the inning, Colt Loehrs ripped a line drive single to left. Rotola attempted to score from second base and was tagged out by Saints' catcher Dwight Childs who blocked the plate.

The Wingnuts' near-comeback started in the top of the eighth with the Saints leading 8-2. Ryan Khoury led off with a walk and took third on Jake Kahaulelio's double off the left field wall. Rodriguez hit a groundball through the legs of Saints' third baseman Joey Becker that scored Khoury and made it 8-3. C.J. Ziegler and Armstrong drew back-to-back walks to force in Kahaulelio with Wichita's fourth run.

Nieves cut th lead to 8-5 with an RBI groundout to second base. Loehrs singled home Ziegler on a line drive single to left. After David Amberson walked to load the bases, Saints' closer Mike Meyer came in for a five-out save. Wichita scratched out their fifth run of the inning two batters later when Khoury was hit by a pitch.

Kahaulelio homered two batters into the game to give Wichita an early 1-0 lead.

The Saints scored three times against Wingnuts' starter Chris Smith in the bottom of the third. Adam Front reached on an infield single leading off and went to third on a hit-and-run single to right from Childs. Dan Kaczrowski doubled to left-center field to tie the game. Brad Boyer made it 3-1 on a two-run double down the right field line.

St. Paul added a fourth run on a Wingnuts' error in the bottom of the fifth.

Loehrs and Amberson hit consecutive doubles with two outs in the top of the seventh to pull the Wingnuts within two runs before the Saints extended the lead to 8-2 with a four-run bottom of the inning. Childs hit a three-run double to right with two outs for St. Paul during the frame.

Smith took the loss, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits in six and one-third innings. Smith walked one and struck out one.

Wes Roemer earned the win for St. Paul, allowing four earned runs on six hits in seven plus innings. Roemer walked three and struck out four.

Meyer earned the save.

Lincoln Holdzkom threw a scoreless inning of relief for the Wingnuts. Loehrs and Kahaulelio each finished with three hits. Kahaulelio turned 28-years-old on Friday. Amberson has hit safely in eight games in a row.

Game two of the series is scheduled for Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Ryan Hinson faces right-hander Mark Hamburger. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 92.7 KWME and worldwide at www.pressboxproductionsradio.com

The Wingnuts return home on Friday, June 14th when they host the St. Paul Saints. Individual tickets can be purchased by calling (316) 755-SEAT, or by visiting www.selectaseat.com

Beginning this season, fans can use cash at all points of sale in Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Debit and credit cards will still be accepted.

For season tickets, group outings, or party packages, call the Wingnuts' main office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.



American Association Stories from June 7, 2013


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