Wingnuts Game Notes: August 20 at Gary
August 20, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA DROPS OPENER
The Wichita Wingnuts fell behind in the early innings and never could get much going offensively, as they fell 4-1 in the opener of their series against the Gary SouthShore RailCats Friday night at U.S. Steel Yard. The RailCats broke through with the first runs of the evening in the third. John Holland singled to lead off the frame, advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches, then scored on a bloop single by Chase Harris. One out and one walk later, Frank Martinez tripled in a pair to make it 3-0. The Wingnuts answered with their lone run of the ballgame in the next half inning. T.J. Mittelstaedt tripled, then came in on a two-out RBI double by Nick Van Stratten. The score remained the same for the next several innings, with pitching dominating on both sides. After the three-run third, Eddie Medina settled in, and retired nine straight at one point, with that run ending when he hit Holland in the seventh. That led to Gary's final run, as Andy DeJesus doubled him home. Wichita's best chance late saw runners on the corners with one out in the eighth, but a double play ball snuffed out that potential rally.
WHAT A RELIEF
With their inning and two-thirds of scoreless work last night against Gary, Wichita's bullpen continued their strong run of the last week. The relief corps combined to throw 13.1 innings without allowing an earned run in the four-game series at home against Kansas City, and did not allow any runs in either of the final two games series of last weekend's set up in Winnipeg, making it 22.1 innings over the last seven games with zero earned runs for the Wichita bullpen. The last time a Wingnuts reliever allowed an earned run was more than a week ago, when the bullpen allowed three runs on August 12 against the Goldeyes.
WELCOME BACK NICK
After spending the majority of the year between Reynosa and Saltillo of the Mexican League, veteran outfielder Nick Van Stratten signed with the Wingnuts late yesterday, and made his 2016 debut last night. Van Stratten hit .420 in 17 regular season games near the end of last year with the Wingnuts, and hit .333 in five playoff games. The 31-year old went 1-for-4 last night, bringing in Wichita's only run with a double.
American Association Stories from August 20, 2016
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