Wingnuts Win Series by Holding off AirHogs 2-1
May 31, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (May 31, 2015) - The Wichita Wingnuts start to the 2015 season has been filled with closely contested battles and down-to-the-wire finishes. The series finale between the Wingnuts and the Grand Prairie AirHogs was no different. An incredible escape by Daniel Bennett and a pair of quality at bats in the seventh inning propelled the club to a 2-1 victory.
The scoring opened in the bottom of the third inning with Wichita (7-2) at the plate. Dustin Geiger ripped a double to begin the inning against right-hander Brett Wallach of the AirHogs. Brent Dean bounced a fielder's choice to the left side that advanced his teammate to third. Tyler Coughenour followed by smashing a single through the right side of a drawn in defense to grab a 1-0 lead.
Nuts starter Charlie Lowell had been on cruise control through the first 5.0 innings of his start, allowing only a double in the fourth and a triple in the fifth before Grand Prairie (4-6) put together a threat in the sixth. He hit Jamodrick McGruder with a pitch at the outset of the frame. The next batter Josh Eatherly grounded a ball to first base, but Geiger missed the bag with his foot and everyone was safe. The ensuing hitter Zane Chavez took advantage immediately, lacing a single to right that tied the score. Lowell was removed having allowed only the unearned run in 5.0 innings on three hits. He whiffed seven AirHogs.
Kevin Hooper summoned Daniel Bennett with runners on first and third and nobody out and Victor Diaz coming to the plate. Bennett was able to strikeout Diaz on a slider, fan Frazier Hall after initially falling behind in the count, and then dispatch pinch-hitter Chris Elder to preserve the tie.
Wallach went 6.0 innings and allowed one run on three hits while striking out five. Right-hander Matty Ott came on to work the seventh and T.J. Mittelstaedt greeted him with a double to left center. Alberto Gonzalez advanced him with a textbook sacrifice bunt to bring Geiger to the plate. The first baseman tallied his seventh RBI of the season by lifting a deep fly ball to right and pushed his team to a 2-1 lead.
Al Yevoli turned in a scoreless inning and Daniel Carela struck out the side in the eighth to set up closer Matt Nevarez with his third save opportunity of the season. Nevarez allowed a leadoff single to Elder who stole second at the same time Robi Estrada struck out for the first out. Elder was tagged out after getting in a rundown between second and third on a pickoff play by Nevarez for the second out. On the next pitch, Trevor Harden chopped a ball to short to end the game.
The Wingnuts managed just four hits as a team and left five baserunners stranded. Neither club had a player register more than one hit.
After taking Monday off, the Wingnuts will open a six-game road trip in North Dakota against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. RHP Omar Bencomo will pitch the opener of the series which is scheduled for 7:02 p.m. 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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