AirHogs Return Home For Game Three

Published on August 27, 2008 under American Association (AA)
Grand Prairie AirHogs News Release


Grand Prairie, TX (08.26.08) - The Grand Prairie AirHogs will be hosting game three of the Southern Division Championship series against the Fort Worth Cats this Thursday at 7:05 PM. With a 2-0 lead in the series, a victory would propel the AirHogs into the American Association Championship. All fans are strongly encouraged to wear red to the game.

For ticket information, contact the AirHogs at (972) 504-9383.

GAME NOTES

Pitching matchup

AirHogs RHP Jeff Jamnik (1-2, 3.03 ERA) vs. Cats RHP Dan Grybash (8-5, 3.18 ERA)

TODAY'S GAME will be the third of the Southern Division Championship. The AirHogs have a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series after defeating Fort Worth 4-2 on Tuesday night. David Espinosa came up with the game winning RBI in the top of the ninth. He finished the game 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs. Geivy Garcia (2-0) and James Morrison (2 SVs) had the win and save for the second straight night. A victory for G.P. would clinch them a spot in the American Association Championship Series.

SCOUTING FORT WORTH: The Cat entre the playoffs red hot, winning nine of their last ten games in the regular season. They recently swept the El Paso Diablos in three games to clinch first place in the Southern Division. Pitching has been their greatest asset all year, with a league best 3.49 ERA. Joel Kirsten (8-3, 2.69 ERA) and Lee Gwaltney (9-2, 2.57) pace one of the best rotations in the league. Jon Hunton (5-1, 0.81 ERA, 23 Saves) shuts the door as the closer. At the plate, DH John Allen (.327 BA, 20 HR, 65 RBIs), Brian Fryer (.319 BA, 133 H, 50 SB), and Nilson Teilon (.311 BA, 17 HR, 74 RBIs) pace a very solid core of hitters.

PLAYING LIKE RIVALS: The AirHogs narrow 6-5 & 4-2 victories over Fort Worth in game one and two aren't anything new for Grand Prairie. The team held 17-12 record in one run games during the regular season. On 06/15 the team had just a 4-7 record, and have won 13 of their last 18 one-run decisions. Against Fort Worth, 10 of 18 regular season games were decided by two runs or less.

VETERAN COLLOBARATION: All four AirHogs veterans came up in a big way against the Fort Worth Cats in game 2 on Tuesday. David Espinosa, Billy Munoz, Derek Nicholson, and Edwin Maldonado combined for seven of the AirHog's 10 base-hits. Three of the team's RBIs were produced by the elder statesmen of the squad.

LEAVE IT ALL ON THE MOUND: Grand Prairie has surrendered just three earned runs through the first two games of the Southern Division Championship. The Cats are batting a playoff low .200 against G.P. with just 13 hits.

DÉJÀ VU: Game one and two of the playoffs were both memorable AirHogs victories, but also shared some keen similarities. In each game Grand Prairie trailed 1-0 entering the top of the third inning. In both contests the AirHogs took a tie score into the top of the eighth inning. Other similarities include a duplicate amount of hits (10) and victories and saves to the same two pitchers (Geivy Garcia & James Morrison).

QTP MAGIC: The AirHogs will return to the friendly confines of QuikTrip Park on Thursday when they take on the Fort Worth Cats in game 3. It will be the first home game for Grand Prairie since August 16th against the Sioux City Explorers. G.P. holds a 31-17 record when playing at home during the regular season, compared to a 25-23 record on the road . In the second half, the AirHogs were 20-6 at home.

WE MEET AGAIN: Including two pre-season games (which the two squads split) and the post-season, the AirHogs and cross-metroplex rival Cats will meet at least 23 times this year. Grand Prairie holds an 11-7 overall record against Fort Worth, and are the only team from the Southern Division to boast a winning record against Fort Worth.

TUCKER EARNS POST-SEASON ALL-STAR NOD: On 08/26 AirHogs catcher JB Tucker was named to the 2008 Postseason All-Star Team. The Bradenton, FL native batted .295 with 11 HRs and 47 RBIs during the regular season. He set a league record playing 89 games behind home plate.

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American Association Stories from August 27, 2008


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