Wingnuts Survive Late Scare to Outlast RailCats 5-3
May 22, 2014 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
GARY, IN - The Wichita Wingnuts took a comfortable 5-0 lead into the ninth inning on Thursday night at U.S. Steelyard, but as usual the RailCats found a way to climb back into the game and even put the potential tying run on base before Wichita closed the door for good on a 5-3 victory.
Starters Tim Brown of Wichita and Stephen Hiscock of Gary were locked in a duel for the first four innings of the game until Mike Hernandez drove in his second run in as many games with a solo shot to left to begin the fifth. Leading 1-0, the Wingnuts (6-2) were not satisfied. In the sixth, the team used four consecutive hits off of Hiscock to score three more runs and chase the starter from the game. Both Brent Clevlen and J.T. Wise knotched RBI singles in the flurry that extended the lead to 4-0.
Tim Brown left the game after working six scoreless innings while allowing six hits and striking out three. Matt Robertson worked a scoreless seventh inning out of the bullpen before the bats came through again with an insurance run in the top of the eighth. Jake Kahaulelio led the inning off with a double and came around to score two batters later on Wise's second RBI of the night to go up 5-0.
Daniel Bennett shut down Gary (3-4) in the eighth and Mike Zouzalik entered the ninth inning with a five-run cushion. Zouzalik walked the leadoff batter he faced and then, after a one-out single by Zac Mitchell, walked back-to-back hitters to force home a run and cut the lead to 5-1. The next hitter, Josh Romanski, singled home a pair and suddenly the game was on. Closer Matt Nevarez entered with runners on the corners and one out and promptly struck out both Ryan Babineau and Wally Backman Jr. to end the game. The save was Nevarez's sixth of the season.
Wise led the offense by going 3-4 at the plate with two RBI. Kahaulelio and Carlo Testa also registered multiple hits.
Friday night the two squads clash again at 7:10 p.m. Right-hander Justin Klipp will get the nod for Wichita, while Gary SouthShore counters with fellow righty Stephen Bougher. 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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