Wingnuts Game Notes: May 28 at Fargo-Moorhead
Published on May 28, 2016 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
The Wingnuts will send veteran lefty Charlie Leesman to the hill tonight as they look to bounce back from a 13-3 series-opening loss to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at Newman Outdoor Field.
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Wichita Wingnuts (2-6) at Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (4-4)
LHP Charlie Leesman (1st start) vs. RHP Taylor Stanton (0-1, 6.35)
6:00 p.m. - Newman Outdoor Field (Fargo, N.D.)
WICHITA ROCKED BY 'HAWKS
The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks celebrated their home opener with a 13-3 rout of the Wichita Wingnuts Friday night at Newman Outdoor Field. Keury De La Cruz stole the show, as the Fargo designated hitter launched a two-run homer in the first inning to put the home team in front. After back-to-back RBI singles by Chad Mozingo and Ryan Pineda added to the lead in the second, De La Cruz was at it again, launching a three-run homer to make it 7-0. The RedHawks added five more in the fourth. Ryan Wagner and K.D. Kang each picked up run-producing singles, before De La Cruz hit his third long ball of the night, another three-run shot to make it 12-0. On the other side, missed opportunities ruled the night for Wichita. The Wingnuts put two on in each of the first three innings, but were unable to score each time. The visitors stranded a season-high 14 for the game, and also struck out a season-high 14 times. Wichita finally broke through in the seventh as Zack Cox brought in a run with a sacrifice fly. Brennen Salgado and Christian Stringer then each added run-scoring singles in the eighth inning.
PITCHING STRUGGLES AGAIN
So far on their first road trip of the season, pitching has been the main culprit in the Wingnuts three losses. Through four games, Wichita has allowed 43 runs, an average of 10.8 per contest. Last night the trend continued, as the RedHawks scored 13 runs on 14 hits, including three home runs, all from Keury De La Cruz. The RedHawks and Joplin Blasters have combined to hit .384 in these four games against Wichita pitching, raising the staff's overall batting average against to .338, 43 points higher than the next highest opponent's batting average against in the league. The Wingnuts ERA has also jumped up to 7.57, which is the highest mark in the American Association by nearly a full run.
LEESMAN TO DEBUT
To try and turn around their pitching fortunes on this trip, Wichita will turn to veteran lefty Charlie Leesman, who will be making his Wingnuts debut. A longtime member of the White Sox organization, Leesman worked 18.0 innings with the South Siders in 2013 and 2014 after spending seven years within the Chicago minor league system.
American Association Stories from May 28, 2016
- Victory Slips Through Saints Fingertips in 6-4 Loss to T-Bones - St. Paul Saints
- RedHawks Top Wingnuts 7-3 - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- RailCats Score 15 Runs in Double Header Sweep of Blasters - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Explorers Extend Winning Streak to Four Games - Sioux City Explorers
- Missed Opportunities Hurt Wingnuts in Fargo - Wichita Wingnuts
- Blasters Swept in Doubleheader at Steel Yard - Joplin Blasters
- Saints Sign Seasoned Starter Scarpetta - St. Paul Saints
- American Association Game Recap - AA
- Wingnuts Game Notes: May 28 at Fargo-Moorhead - Wichita Wingnuts
- De La Cruz Powers RedHawks to Home Opener Victory - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- De La Cruz Single-Handedly Hammers Wichita - Wichita Wingnuts
- Canaries Drop Third Straight in 9-6 Loss - Sioux Falls Canaries
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