Wingnuts Sweep Canaries Again Behind Nester
July 29, 2018 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - John Nester drove home four runs and scored one of his own, guiding the Wichita Wingnuts to a 5-3 win over the Sioux Falls Canaries on Sunday afternoon at Sioux Falls Stadium.
The win secured a three-game sweep for the Wingnuts, their first in franchise history at The Birdcage. It also locked up a season sweep of the Canaries, having taken all three games earlier this season at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.
For the first time in the series, it was Sioux Falls (26-40) who struck first, getting a two-out RBI single from Jabari Henry in the first inning for a 1-0 lead. The Canaries doubled the lead in the second on a solo home run from Patrick Fiala for a 2-0 advantage.
The Wingnuts (41-25) seized the lead in the top of the third. A single, walk, and hit by pitch loaded the bases with one out for Nester, who blasted a long double off the left field fence to score all three runners and give Wichita a 3-2 edge. The Canaries tied the game in the bottom of the inning, as Blake Schmit stole third and came in to score on a throwing error by catcher Logan Trowbridge.
Wingnuts starter Casey Harman (8-2) settled in after that, shutting down the Canaries over the last three innings to earn the victory. The lefty struck out five and walked three, allowing seven hits and only two earned runs.
Nester put the Wingnuts in front again in the fifth, slicing a sacrifice fly to right-center that scored Nick Rotola for a 4-3 lead. It was Nester who started a rally in the eighth, leading off the inning with an infield single and eventually coming around to score on an RBI groundout from Hunter Clanin that provided the game's final margin.
The Wichita bullpen was excellent, as Scott Kuzminsky shut out Sioux Falls in the seventh and eighth before Daniel Tillman added to his league lead by picking up his 18th save of the season with a scoreless ninth.
The Wingnuts travel to Chicago for their first ever series with the Chicago Dogs on Monday night. Righty Jordan Cooper (6-5, 5.14) will start game one of the four-game set for the Wingnuts, while the Dogs have not yet announced their starter. First pitch from Impact Field is scheduled for 7:05 PM, and will be broadcast on 1410 AM/93.9 FM KGSO, TuneIn and americanassociationbaseball.tv.
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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