AirHogs Drop Double Header to St. Paul

Published on May 11, 2008 under American Association (AA)
Grand Prairie AirHogs News Release


St. Paul, MN - The Grand Prairie AirHogs played two close games, but dropped both games of their double header on Sunday to St. Paul, 5-4 in game one and 6-5 in game two that lasted 12 innings.

In the bottom of the 12th inning of game two, the Saints took away their second victory and the sweep with an RBI double off the center field wall by Brent Krause. In all, the day lasted 19 innings with over six hours of baseball.

In the second game, Grand Prairie got on the board in their very first at bat. David Espinosa sent the first home run in AirHogs history to right field for the 1-0 lead. In the top of the second Grand Prairie went up 2-0. Paul Bartolucci got his first RBI with a single down the first base line that plated Drew Holder.

The Saints put their first run up in the bottom of the second inning.

With runners on second and third, Ben Thomas got an RBI on a ground-out to second base that plated Peachee Balet. In the bottom of the third St. Paul put four runs on the board with two outs. Both Balet and Longmire came up with RBIs.

Grand Prairie cut their deficit to 5-4 in the top of the fourth, courtesy of a Billy Munoz solo blast and a second RBI single for Bartolucci. In the top of the sixth they tied the game at 5-5. Codey Merrell used a sacrifice bunt to advance runners to second and third. Paul Bartolucci came up with his third RBI on a ground-out to the pitcher Mike Bille, who bobbled the ball momentarily, allowing Drew Holder to score the tieing run.

Ben Brockman (0-1) got the loss for Grand Prairie in the second game, lasting 2 1/3rd of an inning, surrendering one run with three hits. Charlie Rudd (1-0) got the victory hurling three shutout innings.

The Saint Paul Saints used a for run rally in the seventh inning to win the first game of the double header. Down 4-1 entering the inning, the Saints got the score to 4-3 on RBIs for Ben Thomas and Brian Sprout. With two down and runners on first and second, Marcel Longmire drilled a shot off the right field wall to plate the final two runs.

Grand Prairie got their first two runs on in a productive second inning that featured a Aaron Garza sacrifice fly and a David Espinosa RBI single. The AirHogs took a 4-1 lead in the top of the sixth, after David Espinosa scored from first on a dropped pop-up for second baseman Julius Thames.

Kieran Mattison ( 0-0) lasted six solid innings for Grand Prairie. He surrendered two runs on four hits, with four strikeouts, and two walks.

James Morrison (0-1) got the loss for the AirHogs. He lasted one inning, surrendering four runs, three earned, on four hits, with one strike out. Dustin Bolton (1-0) earned the first victory for St. Paul. He lasted two innings with one run, two hits, and two strike-outs.

Grand Prairie (0-4) will be back in action on Tuesday, May 13, taking on the Shreveport Sports, in Shreveport, LA. RHP Scott Drucker (0-0) will be on the mound for the AirHogs with first pitch set for 7:05 PM.

The Grand Prairie AirHogs' home opener will take place on Friday, May 16, against the Wichita Wingnuts at their brand-new stadium located at QuikTrip Park in Grand Prairie. For season and group ticket information, contact the AirHogs at (972) 504-9383.

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American Association Stories from May 11, 2008


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