Tyler Kane Gives Bullpen Needed Rest as Wingnuts Win, 10-3
After three straight walk-off loses and a 14-inning affair last night, the Wichita Wingnuts entered Wednesday morning’s affair needing a great performance out of starter Tyler Kane. That is just what they received. The right-hander allowed just 3-runs in 7-innings while striking out 8 as the Wingnuts won 10-3 over the Kansas City T-Bones. Richard Prigatano, Christian Stringer, Zac Fisher, and Brent Clevlen each drove in 2-runs.
After a scoreless first inning, the T-Bones took the lead in the bottom of the second. Kane retired the first batter of the inning, but then gave up a solo home run to Joe Jackson, his second of the season.
In the top of the third, Wichita got that run right back. Zac Fisher started the inning by singling to right and he moved to second when Leo Vargas was hit by a pitch. Jeff Walters retired the next two hitters, but Brent Clevlen delivered the clutch two-out hit that scored Fisher to tie the score at one.
In the top of the fourth, the Wichita Wingnuts took the lead. Brennen Salgado singled to start the inning, but Walters retired the next two batters, however, he found the third out to be elusive. A wild pitch moved Salgado to second before moving to third when Vargas reached on an error. Next up was Prigatano, who doubled to right field, scoring both runners. Stringer followed with a base hit that scored Prigatano to make it 4-1.
In the fifth, Wichita extended the lead to four. Once again, it was the two-out hit that delivered the run. T.J. Mittelstaedt starting the inning with a double and moved to third a wild pitch. Salgado struck out for the second out of the inning, but Martin Medina singled into left to score Mittelstaedt and it was 5-1.
In the bottom half of the inning, the T-Bones got a run back thanks to the long ball. Chantz Mack led off the inning by drilling his second home run of the season deep over the right field fence to make it 5-2. That is as close as Kansas City was able to get.
In the sixth, the Wingnuts extended their lead. Vargas singled to start the frame and moved to third on a double by Prigatano. A sacrifice fly by Stringer brought Vargas home and Prigatano came home on a base hit by Clevlen.
With the score 7-2, the T-Bones responded with a run in the bottom of the sixth. Kevin Keyes doubled to start the inning and moved to third on a fly ball. Jackson grounded out to score Keyes and it was 7-3.
Wichita was looking for insurance runs, and they grabbed three in the ninth. Patrick Brady retired the first two hitters of the inning, but Salgado drilled a home run deep over the right field fence. That was his third homer of the season. Medina followed with a walk before Fisher drilled his second home run of the season. That made it 10-3.
Tyler Kane (3-1) went 7-innings, allowing 7-hits and 3-runs. He did not walk a batter and struck out 8. The top third of the Wingnuts lineup was 6-14 with 2-runs and 6-RBI. Richard Prigatano was 2-5 with 2-runs and 2-RBI. Christian Stringer was 2-4 with 2-RBI and Brent Clevlen was 2-5 with 2-RBI. Brennen Salgado and Zac Fisher were each 2-5 with 2-runs scored. Salgado drove in 1 and Fisher drove in 2. Chantz Mack finished 2-4 with a run and an RBI.
The Wichita Wingnuts head to Texas to take on the AirHogs for three-games. Alex Boshers (3-1, 3.90) starts tomorrow for Wichita. First pitch is 7:00.
Featured Image by Ed Bailey
By Robert Pannier
