The Wichita Wingnuts finally found a way to defeat those pesky Joplin Blasters, getting four-hits from both T.J. Mittelstaedt and Matt Chavez to help produce double-digit runs to lead the Wingnuts to a 10-2 victory over the Blasters. Eddie Medina tossed six outstanding innings to win his third straight game, ending the team’s three-game losing streak to Joplin.

The Blasters had been putting it to the Wingnuts pitching staff the previous two nights, scoring double-digit runs in each contest as they combined for a total of 23-runs. That was not to be the case against Medina on this night.

The Blasters did get themselves off to a great start, however. Medina retired the first hitter of the game, but Geraldo Valentin drilled a 1-1 pitch from the right-hander for a homerun, his ninth of the year.

The Wingnuts responded right away in the bottom of the first. Luis Gonzalez retired the first hitter of the inning, but Zack Cox followed with a towering drive for a homerun to tie the game. that was his ninth homer of the year.

It would stay that way until the third when the Wingnuts would take the lead. Cox started the inning with a walk and then stole second. He scored when Mittelstaedt lined a pitch to the wall in center and came into second with a double. Next up was Chavez, who drilled a 1-0 offering for a two-run homer to extend the lead to three. Richard Prigatano hit the next pitch for a double and then stole third. A single by Brennen Salgado scored Prigatano and it was 5-1 Wichita.

In the fifth Wichita grabbed another run. Mittelstaedt singled with one out and move to third on a base hit by Chavez. A fielder’s choice by Prigatano scored Mittelstaedt to make it 6-1.

In the sixth, the Blasters got a run back. Charlie Valerio singled with one out and Mark Krueger then drew a walk. Two batters later KC Huth beat out a ground out for a single and Valerio scored on the play to make it 6-2.

That was the last run that the Blasters would get. Medina (3-3) pitched a gem, allowing 5-hits, 4-walks, and 2-earned runs. He struck out 5 in evening his record.

Chase Johnson, Seth Harvey and Frankie Reed each pitched a scoreless inning of relief. Harvey struck out two.

While the bullpen was shutting down Joplin, Wichita added four more runs. In the seventh, Chavez doubled with one out and scored on an error by the first baseman.

In the eighth, they put the game out of reach. Christian Stringer walked with one out and moved to second on a wild pitch. Cox singled to bring him home, and a fielder’s choice put Brent Clevlen at first. Mittelstaedt followed with a single and Chavez doubled to score both runners. That made it 10-2, which was the final score.

Mittelstaedt finished 4-5 with 3-runs and an RBI. Over his last two games he is 8-9 with 4-runs and 3-RBI. Chavez was a perfect 4-4 with 2-runs and 4-RBI. Cox added 3-hits, scored 2-runs and drove in 2.

The Wichita Wingnuts continue the six-game home stand tomorrow night. Tim Brown (5-2, 4.86) will go for the Wingnuts against Ryan O’Sullivan (3-3, 5.00) of Lincoln. First pitch is 7:05.

By Robert Pannier