Ziegler's Historic Night Leads Wingnuts
Published on August 22, 2013 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts (59-30) defeated the Gary SouthShore RailCats (50-38) 18-5 at U.S. Steel Yard on Wednesday night.
C.J. Ziegler completed the first cycle in the team's six-year history and tied the American Association single-season record for home runs (27).
Ryan Khoury led off the game with a walk, stole second base, and scored on a pair of wild pitches from RailCats' starter Joe Zeller. With two outs and no one on base, Ziegler lined a solo shot down the left field line to give Wichita a 2-0 lead. In addition to tying Brandon Sing's (Sioux Falls, 2010) home run mark, Ziegler picked up his 87th RBI of the season to set a Wingnuts' single-season record. Brent Clevlen followed with a double to center field, took third on a passed ball, and scored Wichita's third run on an error by shorstop Zac Mitchell.
The Wingnuts added four more runs in the top of the third inning. With first and second and no outs, Ziegler hit a deep flyball that RailCats' center fielder Drew Martinez lost in the lights. The ball bounced in right-center field and allowed Jake Kahaulelio and John Rodriguez to score. Ziegler took third on the triple, which was the first of his professional career. Clevlen followed with a popfly double that broke off a retreating Nick Liles in shallow center to make it 6-0. Clevlen later scored on a groundball from David Amberson.
Clevlen drew a bases loaded walk in the top of the fourth to force in the Wingnuts' eighth run. The RailCats got on the board in the bottom of the inning on a two-out, RBI single from Reid Fronk.
In the top of the sixth, Abel Nieves doubled home Clevlen to extend the lead to 9-1. Two batters later, Amberson singled through the left side to drive in Nieves. Kahaulelio capped off the inning with a bases loaded walk.
The RailCats used RBI hits from Brian Kolb, Craig Maddox, and Drew Martinez, to cut Wichita's lead to 11-4, before the Wingnuts tacked on six runs in the top of the seventh.
With the bases loaded and one out in the seventh, Amberson lined a single to center field that plated Ziegler with the Wingnuts' 12th run. Jared McDonald followed with a three-run double to left-center. A John Rodriguez sacrifice fly made it 16-4. Ziegler then doubled on a line drive off the left field fence for his fourth RBI of the game.
A Maddox fielder's choice in the bottom of the seventh accounted for the RailCats' final run.
Madison Beaird and John Rodriguez hit back-to-back doubles down the left field line in the top of the ninth to make it 18-5. In his seventh trip to the plate, Ziegler hit a sharp groundball to center field to complete the cycle.
Lincoln Holdzkom worked two shutout innings to finish off the game.
Junior Guerra earned the win, allowing four earned runs on nine hits in six innings. Guerra walked one and struck out nine. Guerra now has 121 strikeouts on the season, breaking Gabe Medina's team record of 116 set in 2010.
Zeller took the loss for the RailCats, allowing eight runs, six earned, on seven hits in three and one-third innings. Zeller walked three and struck out four.
11 different Wingnuts had at least one hit in the victory. Khoury reached base four times and scored three runs. Rodriguez, Clevlen, and Amberson each finished with three hits. All three of Clevlen's hits were doubles. Clevlen scored three runs while Amberson had three RBI. With 59 wins, the Wingnuts match their franchise best for a single season. Wichita also won 59 games in 2012.
The series concludes Thursday afternoon at 12:10 p.m. Anthony Capra faces right-hander Billy Spottiswood. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 92.7 KWME and worldwide at www.pressboxproductionsradio.com
The Wingnuts return home on Friday, August 23rd when they host the Grand Prairie AirHogs. Individual tickets can be purchased by calling (316) 755-SEAT, or by visiting www.selectaseat.com
Beginning this season, fans can use cash at all points of sale in Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Debit and credit cards will still be accepted.
For season tickets, group outings, or 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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