Wingnuts Split Twin Bill with T-Bones
August 16, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, Kans. - The Wichita Wingnuts collected their second shutout of the season in a 3-0 win in the opener of their doubleheader, but had to settle for a split as the Kansas City T-Bones took the finale 6-3 Tuesday evening at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.
Both contests saw the winning team take the lead on a first-inning homer and then never look back. In game one, it was T.J. Mittelstaedt who opened the scoring for Wichita (50-30), hitting an inside-the-park home run that scored Christian Stringer as well to make it 2-0.
The only other run of the twin bill opener came in the fourth, when three straight Wingnuts reached with two down against Jordan Cooper (3-4). The last of those three was Brennen Salgado, who made it 3-0 with a run-scoring single.
The Wichita pitching staff did the rest. Jesse Pratt (5-2) was excellent in his first start as a pro, dealing five scoreless innings, and allowing three hits while striking out five T-Bones (37-43).
Behind Pratt, Chad Nading and Frankie Reed each worked a scoreless frame, with Reed notching his 17th save to finish off the Wingnuts second shutout of the season, both of which have come against Kansas City.
In game two, it was Jake Blackwood's first-inning long ball that opened the scoring. The first baseman launched a three-run shot off of Todd Kibby (1-4), giving the T-Bones (38-43) an early three-run edge.
Wichita (50-31) got a run back on a RBI triple by Mittelstaedt in the home half, but he was thrown out at the plate to end the inning, trying to score on a pitch that reached the backstop.
The two-run differential was as close as the Wingnuts got in game two, as an unearned run pushed the lead back to three in the second, and back-to-back solo homers by Anthony Gallas and Starlin Rodriguez made it 6-1 in the fourth.
The Wingnuts pulled single runs back in the third and the fifth against Josh Hodges (4-6), as Brent Clevlen singled in a run in his return from the disabled list, and Zack Cox plated a run with an RBI single.
Three was as close as Wichita got in the late innings however, as Hodges went six, and Mark Haynes then worked a scoreless seventh for Kansas City to seal their first win in seven tries against the Wingnuts in 2016.
The Wingnuts and T-Bones continue their four-game series Wednesday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Southpaw Anthony Capra (0-2, 8.05) will toe the rubber for Wichita, while Kansas City will counter with right-hander Jared Messer (4-2, 3.79) First pitch is set for 7:05, and the game can be heard on 1410 AM KGSO, as well as on TuneIn.
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. ### ____ Rob Low Broadcasting & Media Relations Manager Wichita Wingnuts
American Association Stories from August 16, 2016
- Trio of Lincoln Home Runs Overwhelms Blasters - Joplin Blasters
- Wingnuts Split Twin Bill with T-Bones - Wichita Wingnuts
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