A Four Run First Inning Propels Cats over Prairie Dogs
July 14, 2012 - North American League (NAmL)
Fort Worth Cats News Release
FORT WORTH - An explosive first inning and a strong outing for Blake Parry in his first start upended Abilene 9-4 Saturday night at LaGrave Field.
Last Saturday at LaGrave Field there was no shortage of fire between the Cats and Prairie Dogs; the benches cleared and the Dogs hung on for a thrilling victory. One week later, the same teams clashed on the same field in a game that unfolded in stark opposition to last week's festivities. Behind a four-run first inning, the Cats rolled over the Abilene, bringing the first half of the season to a close with a 9-4 victory.
The first four Cats batters scored against Abilene starter Billy Petrick in the bottom of the first inning. Shelby Ford, Jose Ruiz, and Chuck Caufield all tallied run-scoring singles in a boisterous first frame that saw nine Cats batters come to the plate.
The Dogs tried to claw back into the game in the top of the third when Joe Weik cracked a two-run single into left-center field to cut the lead to 4-2. However, Kyle Nichols and Geraldo Valentin failed to draw Abilene any closer, leaving runners on second and third.
After a scoreless second inning, Petrick scuffled in the third. Chad Gabriel launched a leadoff triple into the right-center field gap and scored on Kenny Gilbert's sacrifice fly to left field to make it a 5-2 game. And the Cats tagged the 6'7" righty for three more runs in the fourth as Ford and Ruiz both drove in their second runs of the game.
Fort Worth starter Blake Parry, making his first start of the season, turned in six quality innings. The righty from Anaheim allowed nine hits but gave up just three runs. Parry, who entered the game with seven strikeouts in 202/3 innings pitched out of the bullpen, fanned six Abilene batters on the way to his third victory of the season.
Chris Caves blasted his fourth home run of the season off Brandon Wilkerson in the top of the eighth
T.J. Bozeman, in his first game back since being suspended seven games, pitched the ninth inning and allowed no further runs.
With the win, the Cats improve to 28-20 and jump back into a second place tie with the WhiteWings as Rio Grande Valley lost 7-0 to division-leading Edinburg.
The Cats and the Prairie Dogs wrap up their 11-game matchup at LaGrave Field tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05, and tickets can be purchased online at FWCats.com or by phone at (817) 332-CATS.
• Discuss this story on the North American League message board...
North American League Stories from July 14, 2012
- A Four Run First Inning Propels Cats over Prairie Dogs - Fort Worth Cats
- Dogs Go Down Decisively in Fort Worth - Abilene Prairie Dogs
- Rodriguez Shuts Down WhiteWings, 7-0 - McAllen Thunder
- Rodriguez Shuts Down WhiteWings, 7-0. - Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings
- Colts Activate Gaines - San Angelo Colts
- Cats Split Doubleheader with Abilene - Fort Worth Cats
- An odd split with Ft Worth - Abilene Prairie Dogs
- Colts Swept by Roadrunners - McAllen Thunder
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
