Wingnuts Fall in 'Border Wars'
Published on May 11, 2013 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts fell in both ends of a round robin double header at Lincoln's Haymarket Park on Friday night.
In the opener, the Wingnuts took their first loss of the spring, falling 4-2 to the Kansas City T-Bones. T-Bones' shortstop Felix Molina broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the sixth inning with a two-run single to center field that plated Devin Goodwin and Brandon Pearl. Jhonny Montoya worked around a leadoff walk during a scoreless top of the seventh to earn the save.
Ryan Khoury drove in the first run of the game with an RBI groundout in the top of the second. Kansas City responded with two unearned runs against Wingnuts' starter Mike Burns in the bottom of the third. Wichita tied the game at 2-2 on Jared McDonald's sacrifice fly in the Wingnuts' half of the fourth.
Burns took a no-decision, allowing zero earned runs on four hits in four innings. Burns struck out four and walked two.
Joe Testa took the loss for Wichita. Ethan Cole earned the win for the T-Bones with a scoreless top of the sixth.
Aaron Tullo started for Kansas City and also took a no-decision. Tullo allowed one earned run on one hit in three innings with four walks and zero strikeouts.
Jake Kahaulelio had two hits in the loss. Josh Dew and Nick Walters each pitched a scoreless relief inning.
In the nightcap, the Wingnuts fell 7-6 to the host Lincoln Saltdogs. Lincoln rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to erase a 6-4 Wichita lead. With the bases loaded and one out, David Espinosa tied the game on a two-run single to right field. Two batters later, Matt Forgatch pushed the winning run across the plate on a fielder's choice to shortstop.
Wichita built an early 2-0 lead in the top of the second behind consecutive doubles from Colt Loehrs, Abel Nieves, and Derek Perren. Loehrs and Nieves each drove in a run in the following inning to make it 4-0.
Forgatch hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the fourth to cut Wichita's lead to one run, and tied the game in the sixth with an RBI single to center.
The Wingnuts re-gained the lead in the seventh on a Ryan Khoury sacrifice fly to left. Wichita's sixth run came home on an error by Lincoln second baseman Brad Payne.
Nathan Kilcrease took the loss for Wichita while Lincoln's Travis Parker earned the win in relief.
Jon Link started for the Wingnuts and took a no-decision. Link struck out four in three shutout innings in which he allowed two hits. Tony Butler started for Lincoln and also took a no-decision, allowing four earned runs on four hits in three frames.
The Wingnuts continue their exhibition schedule on Saturday afternoon against the Sioux Falls Canaries at Sioux Falls Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 92.7 KWME and worldwide at www.pressboxproductionsradio.com
The Wingnuts travel to Joplin, MO to face the T-Bones on Sunday, and close out spring training on Wendesday, May 15th when they host the Winnipeg Goldeyes at 11:05 a.m. Tickets are just $7 general admission and can be purchased at the gate.
The 2013 season of Wichita Wingnuts baseball begins Thursday, May 16th against the Kansas City T-Bones at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Prior to the game, a ceremony celebrating the life of bench coach Brian Rose will take place.
Beginning this season, fans can use cash at all points of sale in Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Debit and credit cards will still be accepted. Fans can resolve outstanding balances on cash cards from previous years until June 1st, 2013.
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 May 11, 2013
- Three-Run Eighth Propels RedHawks Past Goldeyes, 8-5 - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Saints, RailCats Don't Need Umpires in 4-3 Walk-Off Win for Saints - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Saints, RailCats Don't Need Umpires in 4-3 Walk-Off Win for Saints - St. Paul Saints
- Three-Run Eighth Propels RedHawks Past Goldeyes, 8-5 - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Birds Struggle in Exhibition Loss to Wichita - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Wingnuts Defeat Sioux Falls - Wichita Wingnuts
- Saints Play Long Ball in Defeating North Star League All-Stars - St. Paul Saints
- X's Win Exhibition Game in Huron, SD - Sioux City Explorers
- Wingnuts Fall in 'Border Wars' - Wichita Wingnuts
- Canaries Fall to Sioux City in Exhibition - Sioux Falls Canaries
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