AirHogs Cannot Take Advantage of Wildness

Published on July 26, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Grand Prairie AirHogs News Release


SHREVEPORT, La. -- The Grand Prairie AirHogs mustered just three hits on Tuesday night, but were issued 10 walks and a hit batter. However, the Shreveport-Bossier Captains pitching staff did enough to hold the AirHogs down, as they beat Grand Prairie 5-4 at Fair Grounds Field in the opener of their three-game series

The AirHogs (42-25) took the lead when Osvaldo Rodriguez was wild in the second inning. The Captains starter walked John Alonso, hit Zane Chavez and walked Guillermo Martinez to load the bases with one out, and Tyler Henley's single gave Grand Prairie a 1-0 advantage. However, the next two batters could not add to the AirHogs' lead, and the Captains 32-36) quickly erased it.

Lance Janke (2-2) walked Brian Peterson to start the second, and after Uriak Marquez singled and Mike Provencher bunted the runners over. Alex Cowart singled one in to tie the game, and after a walk to John Johnson, Robert Perry's two-run single up the middle gave Shreveport-Bossier the lead.

Uriak Marquez added a run with a solo homer in the third, and Brian Peterson's bunt single in the fifth made it 5-1.

Grand Prairie had a great chance to get back into the game in the fifth, with the bases loaded and one out, after Rodriguez was pulled from the game. But Jose Velazquez got Cesar Nicolas to hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. The AirHogs did get two back in the bottom of the sixth as Henley greeted Lee Henry with a two-run single to make it 5-3, but Henry got David Thomas to fly out to end the inning.

The Captains threatened with a double and a single sandwiched around a flyout in the sixth, but lefty Jason Moody relieved Janke by striking out Perry and Kyle Gunderson got a pop-out from Bryan Sabatella to end the inning.

In the seventh, Henry walked the first two hitters before a bunt by Jake Taylor and a sacrifice fly by John Alonso brought the AirHogs to within one. But that was the last baserunner Grand Prairie would get, as Jameson Maj (3-3) pitched two innings and Mark Haynes closed out the AirHogs in order for his fourth save.

Notes: Captains first base coach B.J. Litchfield was ejected in the sixth inning by home plate umpire Danny Hymel after Hymel originally called the third strike in Perry's at-bat strike two, before consulting the other umpires and ruling that it was indeed the third strike...The AirHogs have lost their last six series openers...The Captains threw 78 balls and 77 strikes on the night...Cesar Nicolas left the game after five innings due to some pain in his elbow. He is day-to-day.

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The AirHogs have continue their three-game series with the Shreveport-Bossier Captains on Wednesday, July 27, at 7:05 p.m. The next home game at QuikTrip Park is Friday, July 29, against the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m. for the second QuikTrip Night of the year. All fans can get a free ticket for that night at their local QuikTrip store. Teacher Appreciation Night, where all high school teachers get in for just $5. Don't miss the renewed commitment to excellence and affordable family entertainment. All games are available with live, free streaming video on ustream.tv. Individual game tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling 972-504-9383 or by visiting www.airhogsbaseball.com.

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American Association Stories from July 26, 2011


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