Corbin Osburn, Wingnuts Bullpen Blank T-Bones, 1-0
In American Association Daily, Robert Pannier recaps five exciting American Association games from Friday Evening, including Corbin Osburn tossing six shutout innings in his second career start in the Wichita Wingnuts 1-0 victory, and the Sioux Falls Canaries outslugging the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, 10-7.
Corbin Osburn Blanks T-Bones in Second Start
In just his second professional start, Wichita Wingnuts left-hander Corbin Osburn is making it look far too easy. After giving up one run in five innings in his debut, the lefty tossed six shutout innings, combining with two relievers to blank the Kansas City T-Bones, 1-0. Tony Thomas drove in the only run of the game, hitting his fourth homer of the season.
After a scoreless first, Tony Thomas put the Wichita Wingnuts on top for good in the second. Tommy Collier retired the first hitter of the inning, bringing Thomas to the plate. On the first pitch he saw, the Wingnuts third baseman crushed a deep shot over the left field wall to make it 1-0.
From there the story was Corbin Osburn. The lefty retired the first five batters he faced, and did not find himself in any sort of trouble until there were two outs in the third. A one out walk to Angel Rosa and a two out single by Dylan Tice put runners at first and second. Nick Torres followed with a ground ball base hit to left. Rosa rounded third looking to score, but a great throw by Logan Trowbridge nailed him at the plate to keep Wichita on top.
That was really the last time that Kansas City would threaten against the left-hander. They would get two hits and a walk over the next three frames, but two of those runners were erased on double-plays. Corbin Osburn (2-0) came out after 6. He allowed 6-hits and 2-walks, striking out 1.
In the seventh, Felix Carvallo came on for Wichita and gave up a double to Cal Towey to start the frame, however, he retired the next three batters, stranding the runner at second. Carvallo gave up a two-out double in the eighth, but that runner would go no further either.
In the ninth, Wingnuts Manager Brent Clevlen turned to his closer, Daniel Tillman. Tillman retired the first two batters of the frame, but Todd Cunningham made the game a whole lot more interesting when he ripped a ball to the wall in left that he legged out for a triple. With the winning run 90-feet away, the Wichita closer induced Dexter Kjerstad to ground out to end the threat for his fourth save of the season.
Despite taking the loss, Collier pitched a great game. He went 6-innings, allowing 4-hits and a run while striking out 6.
Logan Trowbridge was 2-4 for the Wingnuts. This was the second 1-0 game the Wingnuts have won this season. Ironically, both times Thomas had the lone RBI.
The Wingnuts continue their series with the T-Bones on Saturday night. Righty Travis Banwart (2-1, 2.00) gets the start for Wichita. First pitch is set for 7:05 PM.
Vinny Nittoli Shuts Down Railroaders, Saints Win 4-1
The St. Paul Saints bullpen was taxed after three straight extra inning games and needed a break, and they got that when Vinny Nittoli tossed six outstanding innings to lead the Saints to a 4-1 victory over the Cleburne Railroaders. The Saints jumped out to a lead with three runs in the fourth, thanks to two errors by the Railroaders. With runners at first and second and one down, Dante Bichette, Jr. grounded down to Patrick Palmeiro at third. He threw to second in what could have easily turned into a double play, but the second baseman lost the relay in the sun, allowing a run to score. Two batters later, Josh Allen doubled off of the glove of Palmeiro scoring two. Meanwhile, Nittoli rolled through the first five. He would finally get into some trouble in the sixth, loading the bases with no one out, but got out of it with a run scoring double play before striking out the final batter of the frame to keep his team on top by two. Mike Devine tossed 2 shutout innings and Tom Wilhelmsen closed the game out for his third save of the season.
Canaries Slug Way to 10-7 Victory in Rain-Shortened Affair
The Sioux Falls Canaries got two home runs and scored in double-digits in their 10-7 victory over the Lincoln Saltdogs. Lincoln took the lead with a run in the top of the first, but Sioux Falls would add four in the bottom of the second. Four different players drove in runs, including Chris Grayson, who would drive in three in the game. Lincoln took the lead with four in the top of the third and led 6-4 heading to the bottom of the fourth. That is when the Canaries scored 4 runs to take the lead for good. Grayson drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and Chris Jacobs followed with a three run homer, his first of the season. Grayson later added a solo homer, his fourth of the season, as Sioux Falls lead 10-7 after seven. After that, the rains came and the game was called. Grayson finished 2-3 with a run, homer, and 3-RBI.
Josh Mazzola Drives in Two to Lead Goldeyes to 6-3 Victory
The Winnipeg Goldeyes headed to the road after losing three of four to the Lincoln Saltdogs at home, and found Chicago a little more to their liking. The Goldeyes led 5-0 through three, thanks to a run in the first and four in the third. Josh Mazzola had the big blow in the frame, a two-run double and he scored on a double by Jordan Ebert. The Chicago Dogs came back with two in the bottom of the fourth but could get no closer, falling 6-3 for their 11th straight loss. Shane Dawson won his third game of the year, and Grant Heyman was 2-5 with 2-runs scored.
Daniel Minor Wins Third as RailCats Down RedHawks, 6-4
It hasn’t been pretty for Daniel Miner this season as he has a 4.71 ERA through three starts, but no one can argue with the results. The Gary Southshore RailCats ace won his third game of the season on Friday night, helping the RailCats to down the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, 6-4. All the scoring came in the first four innings of the game, and then it became a battle of bullpens. The RailCats got a scoreless frame from three different relievers – Jack Fowler, Myles Smith, and Gabe Perez. Perez closed out the ninth for his fourth save of the season. Charlie Valerio was 2-4 with 2-runs, 3-RBI and his league leading fifth homer of the season.
Threes Are Wild as Explorers Soar Over AirHogs, 9-4
The Sioux City Explorers scored in bunches on Friday, bunches of threes to be exact, on their way to a 9-4 victory over the Texas AirHogs. Sioux City scored three runs in the second, sixth, and seventh innings led by Jay Baum who had 3-hits and 3-RBI, and Jose Sermo, who scored 3-runs. Sermo also stole 3 bases. Baum had an RBI in each inning the Explorers scored. Luis Mateo (2-1) earned his third decision of the season.
By Robert Pannier
