SIOUX CITY, IA- The Wichita Wingnuts finished a three-game road sweep of the Sioux City Explorers with an 11-3 win at Lewis and Clark Park on Sunday night.
Eight Wingnuts hitters collected at least one base hit, while eight Wingnuts also scored at least on run as Wichita tallied 16 hits as a team. Josh Horn and Nick Blasi each had three hits.
The Wingnuts struck early and often in the top of the first inning. Nick Blasi singled to right field to leadoff the game, which was followed by Brenan Herrera's double just inside the third base bag to put runners on second and third with no outs. Two batters later, Dustan Mohr singled home Blasi on a line drive to short center field, giving the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead.
With Herrera on third base, Kelly Hunt lifted a deep fly ball to right field to score the Wingnuts' shortstop and make it 2-0. It was the second straight game that Hunt had a sacrifice fly in the first inning. Michael Thompson came up next and ripped a double to deep center, over the head of Anthony Webster, and drove in the third run of the inning.
The Explorers scratched out single runs in the first and fourth innings against Wichita starter Gabe Medina, but the Wingnuts found more clutch offense in the top of the fifth. With two on and two out in the inning, Steve Pearson singled to center field to drive in Kelly Hunt from second base to make it 4-0. The hit signaled the end of the night for X's starter Tim Layden. Jeff Jamnik was brought in from the bullpen and was greeted by Josh Horn who doubled into the left field corner to score Michael Thompson and Pearson and give the Wingnuts a 6-2 lead.
Medina delivered six strong innings, allowing two runs on seven hits. The right-hander struck out five and walked two while earning his second win in his last two starts. Medina also recorded seven of his 18 outs on ground balls.
In the top of the sixth, Brenan Herrera was hit by a pitch followed by a walk to Greg Porter. Dustan Mohr sacrificed both runners into scoring position, setting up a two-run single on a line drive to center by Kelly Hunt to extend his hitting streak to eight games and give the Wingnuts an 8-2 lead. In the seventh, Josh Horn belted his first home run of the season, a high fly ball over the left field fence to make it 9-2.
Nick Blasi drilled his first home run of the season, a two-run shot in the top of the ninth to extend the lead to 11-3.
Nathan Parker and Ronnie Morales combined to pitch the final three innings to finish up the win. Parker allowed one run in two innings, while Morales pitched a scoreless ninth.
The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday to face the St. Paul Saints in the opener of a three-game series at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Wichita sends Richard Salazar to the mound against Saints' left-hander Adam Cox. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Tuesday is Taco Tico Buy-In Night. Shiner Bock Beers will be on sale for just $1.00, courtesy of STandard Beverage. For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625.
-Wingnuts-
