WICHITA – After requiring late game heroics on the previous two nights, the Wichita Wind Surge cruised to a 4-0 victory over the Amarillo Sod Poodles on Friday in Downtown Wichita.
After Aaron Whitefield led off the bottom of the first inning with a triple to deep center, Peter Mooney singled up the middle to give the Surge a 1-0 early lead. Whitefield would also drive in the second run of the game on a fielder’s choice, scoring de la Trinidad. The reigning Double-A Central Hitter of the Week would finish the night two-for-three with a triple, single, walk, RBI, and run scored. He also currently leads the team in batting average and hits.
Starter Josh Winder continued his dominance tonight for the Surge. After allowing two to reach in the first, Winder only allowed two more baserunners for the rest of his outing. He finished his night with five innings pitched, three hits, one walk, eight strikeouts, and no runs. He rises to 1-0 after the victory, with a season ERA of 1.17. Winder is currently the 14th ranked prospect in the Twins organization.
In the bottom of the eighth, Wichita was able to take advantage of a lead-off single by Miranda, as he would eventually come around to score on a Sod Poodle wild pitch. Andrew Bechtold would then knock a single to center, scoring Sherman Johnson from second. Aaron Whitefield, Peter Mooney, and Jose Miranda all had multi-hit games, as the Wind Surge offense provided Winder with eight hits and four runs of insurance.
The Wind Surge bullpen continued its dominance tonight, building on an already impressive season to this point. Alex Phillips came in relief of Winder, allowing no hits, no runs, and four strikeouts in two and a thirds innings of work. Yennier Cano came in for the ninth, allowing a hit and no runs on one strikeout. The Wichita bullpen has 64 strikeouts over 45 and one-third innings.
The Wind Surge are tied for the best record in Double-A at 8-2 with the Richmond Flying Squirrels, affiliate of the Atlanta Braves.
NOTES- INF Jermaine Palacios extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single to right in the 4th inning. RHP Josh Winder’s victory is the first by a Wind Surge starter in franchise history. His five and two-thirds innings also matches the longest start in franchise history. There are two more chances to be a part of the inaugural homestand for the Wind Surge, tonight at 6:05 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m.