Wingnuts Win Rain-Shortened Series-Opener over Amarillo 3-2
July 3, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
AMARILLO, TX (July 3, 2015) - The Wichita Wingnuts have struggled in the late innings of recent ballgames while holding the lead. When a powerful storm overcame Potter County Memorial Stadium in Amarillo with the Wingnuts leading the Thunderheads 3-2 in the seventh, the final two and a half innings of the game were not able to be played. As a result, the team picked up their 21st victory of the 2015 season.
A clutch extra-base hit from Joash Brodin opened the scoring in the Wingnuts' half of the third inning. After Luis Hernandez doubled into the left field corner to begin the inning, Leo Vargas followed with a single to place runners on the corners with nobody out. David Espinosa and T.J. Mittelstaedt each were struck out by Amarillo (18-22) starter Matt Larkins to leave it up to Brodin. The center fielder drove a ball to the gap to bring home both and give the Nuts a 2-0 lead.
Joh Nester opened the next inning against Larkins (5-2) with a solo blast to left field, his second of the year that increased the advantage to 3-0. The right-hander would end up throwing 7.0 innings and allowed the three runs on six hits while striking out six.
Jason Van Skike (4-1) was scored upon for the only time in the ballgame in the fourth. Stefan Gartrell began the attack with a one out double and headed to third on Juan Martinez's single. Catcher Corey Bass jumped on Van Skike's first pitch and lined just out of the reach of a diving attempt by the left fielder Mittelstaedt. The ball rolled to the wall and resulted in both runs scoring.
The next two and a half innings flew by without any further damage to either pitcher. After Larkins retired the side in order in the top of the seventh, a massive storm rolled in and pounded the stadium for nearly an hour. Heavy winds prevented the tarp from being pulled over the entire field and shortly afterward the game was called because of standing water on the field.
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