Wingnuts Game Notes: September 1 vs. Joplin
September 1, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
Wichita Wingnuts (59-36) vs. Joplin Blasters (35-60)
RHP Tim Brown (8-4, 4.28) vs. RHP Santos Arias (2-1, 3.97)
7:05 p.m. - Lawrence-Dumont Stadium (Wichita, Kans. )
WINGNUTS CLINCH SOUTH
The Wichita Wingnuts clinched their sixth consecutive division title last night, sealing it with an 8-3 win over the Joplin Blasters at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Wichita opened the scoring in the second, as Harrison Kain and Leo Vargas each had an RBI single. Joplin tied it up however, plating single tallies in the third and fifth frames. The Wingnuts responded in the bottom of the fifth by retaking the lead on a Zack Cox RBI groundout and Brent Clevlen RBI double. Wichita added two more in the next inning, as Matt Chavez homered, and Vargas drove in his second run of the evening with a ground ball. The Blasters pulled one back in the top of the seventh, only to watch Chavez launch another home run, this time a two-run shot, in the home half to put the game out of reach. In his second start for Wichita, Tyler Kane picked up his first quality start for the club, allowing two runs on seven hits over six innings. Behind him, Mike Devine worked the seventh, Chad Nading retired the Blasters in order in the eighth, and Gage Smith then came on in the ninth to get the final three outs and seal the division title.
CHAVEZ HONORED AGAIN
Wingnuts first baseman Matt Chavez was named the American Association Rawling's Player of the Month for August the league announced Thursday, giving Chavez his second league honor this season, having claimed a Player of the Week award in late July. Chavez was 38-for-105 (.362) at the plate for the month, raising his season batting average to a league-leading mark of .355. The 27-year old hit eight home runs, including three two-homer games, two of which have come in the last four days. Chavez also drove in 26 for the month, tied with Winnipeg's Casio Grider for the most in the league in August. For the year, Chavez now has 59 runs batted in, in 63 games.
PLAYOFF PICTURE
With last night's division-clinching victory over Joplin, the Wingnuts became the first team to punch their ticket into the 2016 American Association Playoffs. Wichita will face either Laredo or the Central Division Champion in the first round, which begins on Wednesday. The Wingnuts first home playoff game will be Saturday, September 10th.
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American Association Stories from September 1, 2016
- Wichita Sweeps Blasters with 3-1 Victory - Joplin Blasters
- Saints Walk-Off into the Playoffs, Defeat Winnipeg 1-0 to Clinch Playoff Berth - St. Paul Saints
- Six-Run Inning Carries Canaries to Series Sweep of RailCats - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Johns Belts Two-Run Walk-Off Homer to Get the Victory - Sioux City Explorers
- Canaries Wrap up Home Schedule with 9-4 Win over the RailCats - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Wingnuts Game Recap: Wingnuts Complete Sweep of Blasters - Wichita Wingnuts
- Wingnuts Game Notes: September 1 vs. Joplin - Wichita Wingnuts
- Wingnuts Chavez Named Player of the Month - Wichita Wingnuts
- Saints Celebrate the End of Summer - St. Paul Saints
- Misell, Rodriguez Star But AirHogs Drop Game 3 - Texas AirHogs
- Fish Come Back to Win on Record-Breaking Night - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Saints Lose Late Lead to Goldeyes, Fall 3-2 - St. Paul Saints
- Blasters Fall to Wichita as Wingnuts Clinch Division - Joplin Blasters
- X's Down 'Dogs to Pull Back into First Place Tie - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Monger Picks up Three RBIs in Can - Sioux Falls Canaries
- RailCats Can't Complete Comeback, Lose 4-3 to Cana - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Wichita Clinches South Division Title - Wichita Wingnuts
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