Wingnuts Walk-Off in 10th to Win Pitcher's Duel
May 27, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (May 26, 2015) - For the second straight game the Wichita Wingnuts needed ten innings to come up with a dramatic victory against a worthy foe. Unlike in Joplin, this contest with the Winnipeg Goldeyes on Tuesday fell in favor of the only team to muster a run. Luis Hernandez provided the necessary offense with a bases loaded two-out single up the middle that propelled Wichita to a 1-0 victory. The team moved to 7-1 all-time in their home opener.
A battle of two stud left-handers resulted in neither of them budging during their time on the mound. Wingnuts' starter Charlie Lowell lasted 6.0 innings in his debut and struck out five while allowing six hits. Reigning American Association Pitcher of the Year Nick Hernandez made it through 6.1 seven-hit frames and struck out six Wingnuts.
Following the starters, the respective bullpens were equally as tough on opposing hitters. Brad Mincey, Daniel Carela, and Matt Nevarez each worked scoreless innings in succession to keep Winnipeg off the board through the ninth. For the Goldeyes, it was relievers Raul Rivera and Brendan Lafferty shutting out the Nuts until the tenth.
In the extra inning, Al Yevoli made his third appearance of the season and faced four hitters, surrendering only a walk to Luis Alen. That set the stage for the late-inning heroics by the bats. Lafferty emerged from the dugout for a third inning and after a groundout to short off the bat of David Espinosa, John Nester boomed a double to the right field corner. That signaled the end of Lafferty's evening in favor of right-hander Benji Waite.
Waite got Brent Dean to bounce out to second, which moved Nester to third with two outs. The Goldeyes opted to intentionally walk the red-hot Jayce Ray and face Taylor Oldham instead. Waite couldn't find the zone and issued a free pass on four straight pitches. With the bases loaded, Hernandez came to the plate and worked the count to 3-2. With the runners on the move, he lined a belt-high fastball into center field for game-winning base hit and was mobbed by his teammates at second base.
Dustin Geiger, Hernandez, and Ray were the only Wingnuts with multiple hits. Hernandez, Dean, and Nester each stole one base.
The Nuts and Goldeyes will meet again on Wednesday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium at 7:05 p.m. RHP Omar Bencomo will square off with fellow RHP Matt Jackson. The game is the first Way-Back Wednesday of 2015 and, as a celebration of the 90's, general admission tickets will cost just $4. 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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