Wingnuts Update & Game Notes: September 4
Published on September 4, 2016 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
Wichita Wingnuts (61-37) at Laredo Lemurs (55-42) LHP Charlie Leesman (2-2, 5.51) vs. LHP Zach Dodson (2-1, 0.34) 7:05 p.m. - Uni-Trade Stadium (Laredo, Texas)
WINGNUTS EVEN SERIES
The Wichita Wingnuts evened their series with the Laredo Lemurs Saturday night, claiming a 7-2 victory at Uni-Trade Stadium. Laredo opened the scoring for the second straight night, as Denis Phipps hit a two-run homer in the third, his second long ball of the series. Wichita then took their first lead of the series and one they did not relinquish in the fifth. Zack Cox got the Wingnuts going, hitting an opposite field solo shot, his 12th of the year. A T.J. Mittelstaedt RBI single tied it, and then a Nick Van Stratten RBI single put Wichita in front. The Wingnuts tacked on two more later in the frame to make it a five-run inning, on run-producing singles from Harrison Kain and Brent Dean. After allowing the Phipps homer in the third, Jesse Pratt settled in for Wichita, retiring Laredo in order in the fourth and fifth innings, and setting down nine of the final 10 he faced. The rookie righty tossed his first career quality start, allowing two runs over six. Wichita added two more insurance runs to their lead in the ninth, as Van Stratten hit an RBI triple, then scored on a Kain sacrifice fly.
PLAYOFF PICTURE
Entering the final two days of the regular season, the Wingnuts still do not know who their opponent will be in the opening round. Just two teams have clinched playoff berths, with Wichita winning the South Division, and St. Paul clinching the North Division last night. The Winnipeg Goldeyes currently hold a half game lead over the Laredo Lemurs in the race for the Wild Card. If Winnipeg can hold off Laredo, the Goldeyes would meet the divisional rival Saints in the first round, while the Wingnuts would play the winner of the Central. If Laredo wins out and Winnipeg loses out, the Lemurs will be the Wild Card and draw the Wingnuts in the first round, meaning the Central winner will meet with St. Paul. In the Central, Sioux City entered the day holding a one game lead over both Gary and Lincoln with two games to play. Whoever the Wingnuts play in the first round, their postseason journey will begin on the road for games one and two on Wednesday and Thursday, before returning to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Saturday for game three, and games four and five if necessary.
American Association Stories from September 4, 2016
- Regas Pitches Canaries to Sixth Straight Win - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Saints Break Attendance Record in 8-7 Loss to Saltdogs - St. Paul Saints
- Saints Break Attendance Record for Second Straight Year - St. Paul Saints
- Rosario Pitches RailCats to Third Straight Win - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Explorers Clinch Second Consecutive Central Division Championship - Sioux City Explorers
- Wingnuts Update & Game Notes: September 4 - Wichita Wingnuts
- Wingnuts Wingnuts, Lemurs Postponed Sunday - Wichita Wingnuts
- Greg Tagert Wins Manager of the Year - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Sunday's Game Postponed, Double Header Monday - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Wingnuts Game Recap: Five-Run Fifth Lifts Wingnuts over Lemurs - Wichita Wingnuts
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.
