No apparent aftermath to the ejections of Wingnuts manager Kevin Hooper and hitting coach Jose Amado last night. When I asked Wichita general manager Josh Robertson if Hooper had been suspended or fined he said, “I haven’t gotten an email yet.” I considered that good news for the Wingnuts until I pondered the fact that American Association discipline is handed down through email. Way to take a hard line on suspensions and fines, American Association.
The Wingnuts lost left fielder Mike Conroy to a concussion, leaving them with an empty bench since they were carrying 10 position players last night. I originally believed Conroy would be out again tonight, but he’s in the lineup batting in his usual No. 9 spot. David Peralta is in the lineup, too, after hurting his hand sliding into home with the winning run on Friday.
To fill the roster spot vacated by some roster moves earlier in the week, the Wingnuts signed Tommy Fitzgerald, a utility man who played just about every position in 2011. He’ll be the backup catcher until Wichita finds one somewhere from somebody sometime, which is an absolute lock to happen.
Derek Blacksher starts tonight for the Wingnuts, trying to become the winningest pitcher in franchise history. His 18 wins are tied with Nick Singleton for the lead, and Hinson is a bit behind them with 13 wins. Blacksher is 11-0 in his career at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, including a postseason win in 2009.