Wingnuts Game Notes: May 26 at Joplin
May 26, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
After letting a sixth-inning lead slip away last night, the Wingnuts look to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Joplin Blasters tonight at Joe Becker Stadium.
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Wichita Wingnuts (1-5) at Joplin Blasters (4-2)
RHP Tim Brown (0-0, 2.25) vs. RHP Carlos Fuentes (0-0, 2.25)
6:35 p.m. - Joe Becker Stadium (Joplin, Mo.)
'NUTS UNABLE TO HOLD LEAD
The Wichita Wingnuts held a 4-2 lead heading into the sixth inning, but a four-run sixth for Joplin gave the Blasters a 6-4 come from behind victory Wednesday night at Joe Becker Stadium. In relief of Wichita starter Anthony Capra, Alex Boshers was greeted by three straight hits to start the sixth, cutting the lead to one. After a ground out tied it, an RBI double by Mitch Glasser gave Joplin their first lead of the contest. Geraldo Valentin then followed with an RBI single to give the Blasters an insurance run. The Wichita offense was unable to muster much in the late innings, managing just one base runner over the final four frames. The Joplin staff retired 11 straight at one point, a streak that was ended on a ninth inning single by Richard Prigatano which brought the tying run to the plate. However, Winston Abreu struck out the next two to end the ballgame and send Wichita to their third straight loss. The Wingnuts did score first for the first time in 2016, as Zack Cox launched a three-run shot in the third. Brent Clevlen also added a homer, and has homered in both games of this series so far.
POWER SURGE
After going without a home run for the first three games of the year, the Wingnuts have seen the power start to come around in the first two games of their road trip, hitting five homers so far. Last night, Zack Cox gave Wichita the first runs of the game in the third on a three-run shot, his first long ball with the Wingnuts. After Joplin pulled two back in the home half, Wichita stretched their lead back to two when Brent Clevlen hit a solo home run for the second straight game. Clevlen and Richard Prigatano are the co-leaders in home runs on the club, having each hit two so far.
BROWN TRIES TO STOP SKID
The Wingnuts will turn to veteran right-hander Tim Brown tonight to try and stop their three-game skid and avoid a sweep at the hands of the Blasters. Brown turned in Wichita's best start of the young season in his first outing, allowing two runs on five hits in eight innings, retiring 16 Lincoln Saltdogs in a row at one point. The righty will also be looking to turn around the fortunes of a staff that is last in the American Association in team ERA (7.10).
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