Wingnuts Sweep AirHogs with 4-2 Win
July 18, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
GRAND PRAIRIE, TX (July 18, 2015) - The Wichita Wingnuts swept the Winnipeg Goldeyes in the first home series of the year back in May. Since that time, the Wingnuts have had many opportunities to sweep opponents in a series lasting longer than two games, but have fallen just short each time. That changed on Saturday night in Grand Prairie when Wichita came from behind to win a 4-2 contest on the strength of a two-run home run by Starlin Rodriguez in the fifth inning. The Wingnuts have now won five straight games, matching their longest winning streak of the season.
The Wingnuts (32-22) had many chances to pull way early in the game against Grand Prairie starter Blake Oliver. They put two runners in scoring position with one out in the first, but came up empty on two strikeouts and a pop out. With the bases loaded in the second, Harrison Kain managed to drive in the contest's first run with a fielder's choice groundball to short. However, the inning concluded on Jayce Ray's line drive double play. Wichita again placed two runners on base without an out in the third against Oliver (4-5). A strikeout and a double play grounder ended that threat as well. After having seven at bats with runners in scoring position the lead was only 1-0.
Grand Prairie (18-37) was able to break through against Wingnuts starter Jason Van Skike in the bottom of the third. Jamodrick McGruder ripped a one out single and advanced to second when Van Skike (5-2) hit Ronnie Richardson with a pitch. Catcher Zane Chavez followed with a double down the right field line that scored both and put the AirHogs in front 2-1. That was all the starter would allow over his 6.0 innings of work. Van Skike struck out three and surrendered just four hits.
The Wingnuts pulled even in the fourth inning when Matt Padgett singled to open the frame. He moved to second on a wild pitch and then scored easily on Luis Hernandez's double into the left field corner.
The biggest at bat of the game came with two outs in the top of the fifth. With David Espinosa on first, having drawn a leadoff walk, Rodriguez stepped in. The second baseman turned on a pitch and lined it over the wall in left field to put Wichita in front 4-2. The long ball was his first as a Wingnut.
With the lead, Kevin Hooper turned it over to a bullpen that has been dominant of late. Daniel Bennett, Al Yevoli, Frankie Reed, and Dakota Watts continued the recent trend by shutting out the AirHogs over the game's final three frames. Relief pitchers have not allowed a run in their last 28.1 innings of work. Watts picked up his third save of the series and fifth of the year.
The Wingnuts will return home to open a four-game series with Sioux Falls on Sunday night at 7:05 p.m. Pete Rose will be in attendance to coach first base and sign autographs. 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.
American Association Stories from July 18, 2015
- RailCats on Wrong End of Complete Game Shut Out - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Explorers Lose Final Game Of Series To Lemurs - Sioux City Explorers
- Mother Nature Aids Sussex County in 8-7 Comeback Win - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Canaries Swept by St. Paul on Saturday Evening at the Birdcage - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Wingnuts Sweep AirHogs with 4-2 Win - Wichita Wingnuts
- Hernandez Shuts out RailCats - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Saints Set Season High in Runs and Hits, Sweep Canaries 16-4 - St. Paul Saints
- Tenbrink Carries T-Bones to Series Win - Kansas City Monarchs
- T-Bones Clobber Dogs to Take Series - Lincoln Saltdogs
- T-Bones Promotions: July 19-26 - Kansas City Monarchs
- Goldeyes Welcome Back Abercrombie - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Wingnuts Fly by AirHogs 7-4 to Win Fourth Straight - Wichita Wingnuts
- Explorers Win Game Two 2-0 In Five Innings - Sioux City Explorers
- RailCats Hold on to a Wild Finish 9-8 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
