WICHITA, KS- The Wingnuts inched a little closer to first place with an 8-3 win over the El Paso Diablos on Friday Night at Lawrence Dumont Stadium.
The Wingnuts jumped on the board in the first inning thanks to a leadoff triple by Kevin Hooper and an RBI from Blake Gailen. The Nuts then blew open a 4-1 game with a four-run sixth inning.
Seven different Wingnuts scored runs tonight, led by Hooper, who went 3-5 with a triple, a stolen base and an RBI. Richard Salazar - making his first start of the season - picked up his first victory, allowing just five hits and one run in six solid innings of work, while walking none. Newcomer Kevin Cheppenko picked up the save, working the final three innings.
Wichita's win, coupled with Sioux Falls' loss, moves Wichita within 2.5 games of the first place Canaries. Wichita and El Paso will battle again on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and a large crowd is expected. For tickets call the Wingnuts office at (316) 264-4625.
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