AirHogs Take Series vs. Cleburne with Dramatic Finale Win
August 23, 2018 - American Association (AA) - Texas AirHogs News Release
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - The Texas AirHogs took a dramatic finale vs. Cleburne Wednesday at AirHogs Stadium, downing the RailRoaders 5-3. Zhang Tao picked up the win, and Stewart Ijames finished with three hits, two RBIs and two runs scored.
Texas got out to an early advantage when Ijames scored on a passed ball in the first. He would tag Cleburne starter Will Mathis (0-3) for a double in the third and come into score on an RBI single from Correlle Prime to make it 2-0.
Zhang Tao (2-2) went five as the AirHogs starter, holding Cleburne scoreless in four of his five frames. The exception came in the top of the fourth when KC Huth highlighted a three-run Cleburne blitz with a two-run homer, his third of the season. Zhang settled down though to post another zero before exiting the game.
An infield single from Ijames (and a subsequent mishandle by Mathis) helped the AirHogs to erase the deficit in the bottom of the fourth. Han Jichao, who doubled to start the rally, scored alongside Liang Pei to make it 4-3.
Jesse Baker added a solo homer in the 8th vs. Shawn Blackwell to extend the Texas lead 5-3. Conner Camacho, Tyler Matzek and Carlos Contreras combined for four innings of scoreless, hitless relief. Contreras earned his 13th save of the season (and his second of the series) with a 1-2-3 ninth.
Texas outhit Cleburne 8-5. Prime finished with two hits and now has five hits in his last seven at-bats. The AirHogs (24-64) open a three-game home set vs. the Wichita Wingnuts (54-35) Thursday at 7:05. Starters for both teams are TBA.
The AirHogs - powered by Beijing Shougang Eagles remain in town through Saturday. Visit AirHogsBaseball.com for more information on tickets for all AirHogs home games. For the latest news, follow the team on Twitter and Facebook @TXAirHogs.
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