By MATT FULKS, tbonesbaseball.com
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – After giving up four runs in the top of the first, the T-Bones fell 6-1 to the Wichita Wingnuts in game three of the Kansas Turnpike Showdown in front of 5,015 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on Wednesday afternoon.
The Wingnuts, who came into the game with the third most runs scored in the American Association, jumped all over Kansas City starter Matt Smith early in the ballgame. J.T. Wise got things going for Wichita in the first, banging a two-out double off the left field wall that scored Ryan Khoury.
Chris McClendon then laced a single into center, scoring Jake Kahaulelio and Wise. McClendon stole second and would come around to score on a Colt Loehrs single before the inning finally came to an end with Wichita leading 4-0 before Kansas City’s first at bat.
The T-Bones responded in their half of the first with a Danny Richar single that scored T.J. Mittelstaedt. With two on and one out, the T-Bones were looking for more but fell short when Nick Schwaner grounded into a double play.
Wichita added to its lead in the fourth. David Amberson and Taylor Oldham opened the inning with back-to-back singles and both advanced into scoring position following a groundout by Khoury.
Amberson came home on a wild pitch by Smith before an RBI groundout by Carlo Testa scored Oldham and extended Wichita’s lead to 6-1.
Jon Link (2-1) picked up the win for the Wingnuts while Matt Smith (0-2) took the loss.
Kansas City falls to 9-11, while Wichita moves to an American Association best 15-6. The T-Bones conclude their series with Wichita Thursday night at 7:05. Tickets are available by calling the Providence Medical Center Box Office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 913-328-5618.
