AirHogs Split Saturday Doubleheader with RailCats
July 30, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Texas AirHogs News Release
CANYON, Texas - The AirHogs split a doubleheader at Wilder Park with the Gary Southshore RailCats Saturday, falling 7-5 in Game 1 before rebounding with a resounding 9-1 win in Game 2. Matt Shepherd picked up the W in Game 2, and Devon Rodriguez exploded for 2 home runs and 7 RBIs to fuel the victory. Gary Southshore got to AirHogs starter Griffin Russell for 6 runs over the first 3 innings to establish an early lead in Game 1. Trailing 7-1 going to the bottom half of the 4th, the AirHogs launched a furious comeback effort that featured the 21st home run of the summer by Burt Reynolds but ultimately was stopped with the deficit still at 2.
Nick Akins reached twice in the contest and drove in 2. Cody Culp and Tyler Ihrig combined to throw 4 innings in relief. The duo allowed just 1 run. Russell took his 9th loss, while Gary starter Charle Rosario picked up his 7th win.
In Game 2, Gary got to Shepherd for 4 hits over the first 2 innings. But the starter quickly settled down, allowing just 1 man to reach from the 3rd through the 6th. The righty did not allow a run outside the first inning and struck out 6 while scattering a total of 5 hits on his way to his 3rd W.
Devon Rodriguez led an AirHogs offense that went off for 9 runs on a dozen hits. Rodriguez went deep twice for 3-run home runs off Gary starter Carlos Pinales. Rodriguez's 1st blast came in the 3rd and his 2nd in the 5th. The home runs were the 4th and 5th of the season for the Newhall, California native. His 7 RBIs in the game were a season-high for the AirHogs.
Juan Sanchez finished 3-for-4 with 2 runs, a single, a double, and a triple. Michael Hur and Burt Reynolds each scored twice in one of the finest overall performances by the Texas bats this season.
The AirHogs (25-43) and the RailCats (36-32) conclude their 4-game series at Wilder Park on the campus of West Texas A&M tomorrow at 2:05. RHP Cody Hebner is expected to start for the AirHogs.
American Association Stories from July 30, 2016
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- Hamburger Sets Two Records with Complete Game, But Loses First of Season 3-2 - St. Paul Saints
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- RailCats Beat Texas in Shootout - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Bircher Tosses Seven Shutout Innings, But Birds Fall 3-0 - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Goldeyes Win 31-Run Battle over T-Bones - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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