X's Gain Split on Wingnuts

Published on June 7, 2012 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 13-8 to the Sioux City Explorers at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Thursday night.

Sioux City utilized three big innings in the win. Brandon Newton grounded a single up the middle to lead off the game. After Newton stole second, Yusuke Inoguchi drew an eight-pitch walk to put runners on first and second. Michael Lang hit a groundball to third that was dropped by Juan Richardson to load the bases. Kris Sanchez then hit a groundball to first. C.J. Ziegler's force attempt at the plate broke away from catcher Taylor Freeman and allowed Newton and Inoguchi to score. Two batters later, Ryan Priddy made it 3-0 with an RBI groundout to shortstop.

The Explorers strung together five consecutive hits in the second during a four-run rally. With the bases loaded and one out, Lang singled home Mike Murphy and Newton to make it 5-0. Sanchez followed with a groundball single through the right side that scored Inoguchi with Sioux City's sixth run. Ray Serrano capped off the inning with a sacrifice fly to center that brought in Lang.

The Wingnuts scored four times in the bottom of the fifth to get within three runs. David Peralta led off with a groundball single to right and scored on Taylor Freeman's double to left-center. A pair of hit batsmen helped the Wingnuts load the bases for John Rodriguez, who lined a single to center that scored Freeman and Ryan Khoury. Juan Richardson followed Rodriguez with a broken bat single to center to cut the Explorers' lead to 7-4.

Sioux City came right back with five in the top of the sixth. With second and third and two outs, Sanchez looped a single to right field that opened a 9-4 advantage. Serrano then hit a two-run home run to left field. Adrian Martinez added an RBI single later in the inning to make it 12-4.

Sioux City scored its final run in the seventh on a two-out, RBI double to right-center from Sanchez.

The Wingnuts rallied for four runs again in the ninth. Rodriguez doubled home Jake Kahaulelio from first base and scored two batters later on Steve Carrillo's two-out, infield single. Ziegler lined a two-run homer off the batter's eye in center field to pull Wichita within five runs before Sioux City reliever Eddie Delacruz recorded the final out.

Derek Blacksher took the loss for the Wingnuts, allowing 12 runs, nine earned, on 13 hits in five and two-thirds innings. Blacksher walked two and struck out five. It was Blacksher's first loss at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in 12 career decisions.

Nick Schumacher earned the win for Sioux City. Schumacher allowed four earned runs on six hits in seven innings. Schumacher walked none and struck out two.

Jeff Nadeau pitched two scoreless relief innings for the Wingnuts. Ziegler extended his hitting streak to 14 games with an eighth-inning single. Ryan Khoury was hit by a pitch in the third and has reached base in 14 consecutive games.

Rookie catcher Kevin Whitehead made his professional debut in the top of the eighth when he replaced Freeman on defense. Whitehead then walked in his first career plate appearance in the bottom of the inning.

Whitehead was signed prior to Wednesday's game. The left-handed batting catcher recently finished a four-year career at Texas Tech University.

The Wingnuts open a six-game road trip Friday night in Kansas City. First pitch at Community America Ballpark is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Ryan Hinson takes the mound for the Wingnuts. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 92.7 KWME and worldwide at www.kleyam.com

Wichita returns home on Friday, June 15th when they host the Kansas City T-Bones at 7:05 p.m. Individual tickets can be purchased by calling (316) 755-SEAT, or by visiting www.selectaseat.com

For 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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American Association Stories from June 7, 2012


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