Tommy Collier, Two Relievers Blank Wingnuts to Restore T-Bones Edge, 6-0
A night after watching Travis Banwart limit his team to one run in eight innings of work, Tommy Collier took matters into his own hands, allowing six hits in 6.2 innings pitched as the Kansas City T-Bones downed the Wichita Wingnuts, 6-0. The victory restored the T-Bones lead over the Wingnuts to 1.5 games for the final playoff spot in the South Division. Ryan Brett had three hits and drove in a pair of runs to lead the Kansas City offense.
This was a contest that looked like it would be a pitcher’s duel on paper as Wichita sent left-hander Casey Harman to face Tommy Collier. Collier retired the side in the top of the first, but the Kansas City T-Bones would score a run against the left-hander in the bottom half of the inning. Mason Davis singled with one down, then stole second base. He scored on a base hit by Colin Walsh to give Kansas City a 1-0 lead.
It would remain a one run game until the fourth when Kansas City would add three runs. Alay Lago singled to start the inning and moved to second when Anthony Phillips was hit by pitch. A sacrificed move both runners into scoring position and they both scored when Ryan Brett followed with a double. Davis drove Brett home with a single to right and the T-Bones were ahead, 4-0.

An inning later, Kansas City would extend their lead. Noah Perio, Jr. started the inning with a single and moved to second when Lago delivered a base hit two batters later. With two down, Keith Curcio delivered a shallow single to right that brought home Perio to extend the lead to five.
In the bottom of the seventh, Adrian Nieto would add one more run for good measure. With one down, he clubbed his fifth home run of the season to give Kansas City a 6-0 lead.
The six run outburst was way more than enough support for Tommy Collier (12-3) on this evening. The right-hander gave up lone hits in four of the first six innings, but no more than one in any inning. He struck out two batters in each of the first three frames, then struck out the side in the fifth before striking out two more in the sixth.
In the seventh, Wichita looked like they finally might get a rally started. With two down, John Nester and Nick Rotola delivered back-to-back singles. That would be the end for Collier as Marcus Crescenti came on. He hit Leo Vargas to load the bases before getting Logan Watkins to fly out to end the inning. Collier allowed 6-hits and struck out 12 in 6.2-innings.

Crescenti stayed on in the eighth and issued a walk to lead off the frame, but then retired the next three batters. Cody Winiarski came on in the ninth and retired the side in order to finish off the 6-0 shutout.
Ryan Brett finished the evening 3-5 with a run and 2-RBI to lead the Kansas City T-Bones offense. Alay Lago also had three hits and Adrian Nieto, Noah Perio, Jr., and Mason Davis had two hits apiece. No player for Wichita had more than one hit.
The victory restored the T-Bones lead to 1.5 games over the Wichita Wingnuts for second place in the South. These two teams will conclude their three-game series tomorrow. Seth Harvey (7-1, 2.61) will get the start for Wichita. He will be opposed by Barrett Astin (9-3, 5.69). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05.
Featured Image by Ed Bailey
By Robert Pannier