Jon Link Declaws RailCats in Wichita Wingnuts 6-1 Win
Wichita Wingnuts starter Jon Link had struggled in his first two starts of the season but, after going seven strong in his last outing, he has evened his record, downing the Gary Southshore RailCats with his first complete game of the season. The victory was the second in a row for the Wingnuts, and moves Wichita just two games out of first place in the South Division of the American Association.
Link was opposed by Travis McGee and both starters tossed a scoreless first inning. In the bottom of the second, Wichita jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Dustin Geiger got the rally started when he singled and he would move to third when Richard Prigatano doubled. Harrison Kain grounded to third, but both runners had to hold. That brought Brent Dean to the plate, who singled to left to score both and give his team the lead.
In the third the Wingnuts extended their lead to three. Christian Stringer walked and advanced to third on back-to-back ground outs. With two outs, the most clutch Wingnuts hitter came to the plate. T.J. Mittelstaedt went with the first offering from McGee and singled to center to score Stringer and make it 3-0.
A run in the fourth would make the lead four. Prigatano singled to get it started and moved to second on Brent Dean’s second hit of the game. Both players would move up on a stolen base and Prigatano scored on a ground out by Stringer.
Four runs were plenty enough for Link. The right-hander was absolutely dominant, allowing lone singles in each of the first three innings, but allowing no runner to get past first. In the fourth through the sixth innings he retired the RailCats in order, running a streak of 11 straight retired.
In the top of the seventh, the Wingnuts starter finally gave up a run. Brennan Metzger doubled to get the inning started and Alex Crosby followed with a double of his own to score Metzger. A walk put two on with no one, and it looked like Gary was going to have a shot to get back into this game, but Link coolie got Tillman Pugh to fly out, before a double-play ended the inning.
That would be all that the RailCats could muster against Link (2-2). He would go the distance, allowing 8-hits and a walk, while striking out 4. It was an outing that gave the bullpen a much needed rest.
The Wingnuts would plate two more runs in the bottom of the seventh. Leo Vargas scored on a Brent Clevlen single, and Stringer would score the game’s final run on a single by Dustin Geiger.
Dean finished the day 3-4 with 2-RBI. Geiger, Vargas, and Prigatano each had two hits. Prigatano scored twice, and Geiger scored a run and had an RBI.
These two teams will continue their series tomorrow. Left-hander Anthony Capra (0-0, 3.18) goes for the Wichita Wingnuts. He will be opposed by RHP Charlie Rosario (1-1, 4.57). Game time is 7:05.
By Robert Pannier
