Wingnuts Game Notes for September 5
September 5, 2009 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
2009 North Division Series Game Four: Wichita Wingnuts (58-38) vs. Lincoln Saltdogs (49-47)
Wingnuts Lead Series 2-1
Where: Lawrence-Dumont Stadium
Time: First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
How to catch it: Tonight's game can be heard locally on 1410AM KGSO and worldwide at www.kgso.com
TONIGHT'S STARTERS: The Wingnuts send Gabe Medina to the mound with a chance to close out the North Division Series. Medina went 8-5 with a 4.37 ERA in 19 starts. Medina, working as a full-time starting pitcher for the first time in his career, pitched at least six full innings in 15 of his final 18 starts of the season. From May 30th-July 2nd, a span of six starts, Medina allowed five or fewer hits in all of them, in which he went 5-0. Medina struck out five or more batters 10 different times and walked three or fewer in 15 of his 19 starts. Medina went 4-1 at home with a 4.96 ERA in eight starts and was 1-2 against the Saltdogs with a 4.35 ERA in five starts against Lincoln. Medina's final start came on August 26th against the Saltdogs, allowing four runs in seven innings in a no-decision.
Facing elimination in Game Four, the Saltdogs are scheduled to throw right-hander Justin Knoff to the mound. Knoff went 1-1 with a 5.87 ERA in five appearances for Lincoln after being acquired in a late-season trade with the CanAm League's Sussex Skyhawks. Knoff went 5-5 in 14 starts with Sussex before the trade, and allowed three or fewer earned runs in 12 of them. His last outing with Lincoln came on the final day of the regular season, in which he allowed one run in five innings for the win in what proved to be a the clinching game for Lincoln in the second half race. Four of Knoff's five outings with Lincoln were on the road in which he went 1-1 with a 5.94 ERA. Knoff faced the Wingnuts on August 25th, allowing one run in 7.2 IP in a no-decision.
IN THE SOUTH: The Pensacola Pelicans took Game Three of the South Division Series 12-4 over the Fort Worth Cats at Pelican Park. The Pelicans are now one win away from advancing to the American Association Championship Series which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday night at the winner of the North Division Series.
WINGNUTS KEEP STREAK GOING AGAINST LINCOLN: Dating back to the regular season, the Wingnuts, who lost opening night at home to Lincoln on May 14th, have now won 10 consecutive games over the Saltdogs at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.
HUNT HOT: Kelly Hunt, who hit .293 over the final nine games of the regular season, has carried his hot bat into the playoffs leading the Wingnuts with a .700 average in three games. Hunt is 7 for 10 with three runs scored, four RBIs and has even stolen two bases after going the entire regular season with only one steal.
POSTSEASON NOTES: The Wingnuts bullpen has pitched 5.1 scoreless innings over the first three games of their series against Lincoln. Nick Blasi and Josh Burrus are the only players with at least one hit in each game of the series.
American Association Stories from September 5, 2009
- Pelicans edge Cats 7-6 to win series - Fort Worth Cats
- Saltdogs force Game 5 - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Saltdogs force deciding game with extra inning win - Wichita Wingnuts
- Wingnuts Game Notes for September 5 - Wichita Wingnuts
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