Wingnuts Game Recap: Prigatano the Hero as Wingnuts Squeak Past
August 19, 2017 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
PRIGATANO THE HERO AS WINGNUTS SQUEAK PAST AIRHOGS
Wichita 3, Texas 2
W: Mike Devine (3-4) L: Jacob Morris (1-3) S: Ryan Kussmaul (3)
Full Box Score Attached
WICHITA, Kans. - Richard Prigatano chopped a go-ahead RBI single in the bottom of the eighth, and the Wichita Wingnuts evened the series with a 3-2 victory over the Texas AirHogs on Saturday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.
With the score tied at 2-2, Wichita (51-33) started the eighth with a single from Brent Clevlen and a TJ Mittelstaedt walk to put runners at first and second with nobody out against AirHogs reliever Jacob Morris (1-3). Prigatano bounced a high one-hopper over the head of third baseman Ryne Willard, allowing Clevlen to race home with what proved to be the winning run.
Texas (34-50) threatened in the ninth against Ryan Kussmaul, as Charley Thurber led off the frame by slicing a double into left. But Kussmaul responded by retiring the next three he faced, inducing a groundout from pinch-hitter Ryan Wagner to secure the victory and his third save.
As has been the case throughout the season series, Saturday's ballgame was close from start to finish. It was Texas who jumped on the board first, as Levi Scott skied a solo homer over the wall in left against Wingnuts starter Danny Gutierrez for a 1-0 lead. That was the only damage Gutierrez allowed, as the righty impressed with five strong innings, allowing only two hits.
Just like last night, it was Zac Fisher who gave the Wingnuts the lead in the fourth with a homer, this time a two-run blast against AirHogs starter Leuris Gomez. The home run was Fisher's ninth of the season, establishing a new career-high for the Wichita backstop.
The AirHogs refused to go quietly, pulling even in the sixth on a run-scoring single from Scott against reliever Jesse Pratt, but the Wingnuts bullpen righted the ship over the final three frames. Austin Boyle stranded a pair in the seventh as part of a scoreless frame, Mike Devine (3-4) generated a double play to escape the eighth, and Kussmaul closed out the ninth.
The Wingnuts and AirHogs wrap up their three-game set Sunday afternoon at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Wichita will send right-hander Tyler Kane (9-1, 3.41) to the mound, while Texas will counter with fellow righty T.J. Bozeman (5-5, 2.87). All the action will be broadcast on 1410 AM/93.9 FM, and at americanassociationbaseball.tv.
For information on tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Wingnuts main office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.
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