Wingnuts Get Complete Win in 7-1 Victory at Gary
May 25, 2014 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
GARY, IN (May 25, 2014) - The Wichita Wingnuts needed a win at U.S. Steelyard in Gary, Indiana on Sunday afternoon to earn a split in the four game weekend series that was a rematch of the 2013 American Association Championship. Starting pitcher Jon Link was up to the task and the Wingnuts offense broke loose on the way to a 7-1 victory.
The Wingnuts scored first for the ninth time in 11 games when Ryan Khoury raced around to score on an RBI single by Jake Kahaulelio in the very first inning. The Wingnuts' second baseman would be heard from throughout the ball game.
Wichita wasn't done there, they added a couple more in the third inning when they took advantage of an error by third baseman Wally Backman Jr. After J.T. Wise reached on the miscue, Mike Hernandez and Chris McMurray hit back-to-back doubles to push the lead to 3-0.
The RailCats were able to get to Link for the first time in the game in the third inning. After the Wingnuts' starter retired the first two hitters he faced, Danny Pulfer reached on an infield single that glanced off of Link's glove and ricocheted to short. Ryan Khoury's running throw was wide of first base and sailed into the first base dugout allowing Pulfer to reach second. The following hitter, Drew Martinez, grounded a run-scoring single up the middle to cut the lead to 3-1. After that Link put his foot down and would allow just two more runners in the game to reach scoring position, both on Craig Maddox doubles.
Kahaulelio continued to stay hot by ripping RBI doubles in his next two at-bats in the fourth and sixth innings respectively. That pair of hits put Wichita ahead by a 5-1 margin. With runners on second and third later in the sixth frame, Hernandez lined a single to left that scored both teammates and provided the final run total.
Link continued to cruise, throwing his 100th pitch midway through the ninth. He finished the first complete game of the season for Wichita, having allowed one unearned run on eight hits and a walk, while striking out three.
Kahaulelio and Hernandez both drove in three runs. The former was 5-5 with two doubles, while Hernandez finished 3-5 with a two-bagger.
The Wingnuts will return home to begin a four-game set with new South Division rival Laredo on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. Left-hander Anthony Capra will toe the rubber for Wichita against right-hander Mike Piazza of the Lemurs. It will be a Kwik Shop Dollar Day so select concession and gift store items will be sold for just one dollar. Make sure to stop by a local Kwik Shop to pick up your voucher for one dollar general admission tickets. For information on season 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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