AirHogs Win High Scoring Affair

Published on July 5, 2009 under American Association (AA)
Grand Prairie AirHogs News Release


Grand Prairie, TX. The AirHogs and Canaries combined for twenty-two hits and twenty-one runs as Grand Prairie took the rubber match from Sioux Falls 11-10.

Neither team's starter was able to get out of the first inning as Nat Harris lasted only one and one thirds inning allowing four runs on two hits, walking four, and striking out one. Noel Baca didn't fare any better lasting an inning and two thirds giving up eight runs on eight hits while walking three.

For the third straight night, the AirHogs got out to an early lead in the bottom of the first. The first pitch of the inning hit Aaron Garza on the helmet to put him aboard. Garza then stole his twenty-first base of the season before Cesar Nicolas singled him home to tie for the league lead in RBIs at forty four. Back-to-back single from Mike Conroy and Javier Brito loaded the bases before Chad Gabriel lined a single up the middle to score Nicolas and give the AirHogs the early 2-0 lead.

The lead would not last long however as Sioux Falls would score five runs the very next inning. After Nat Harris walked the bases loaded, Jared Lemieux singled home a run to cut the AirHogs lead in half. New AirHogs pitcher Grant Wheatley came in and hit the first batter he faced to tie the score at two. With the bases still loaded Joe Anthensen grounded into a fielder's choice beating the double play ball to first to score another run giving the Canaries their first lead of the game. Cory Harris and Trevor Lawhorn followed with back-to-back RBI singles to add two more runs to the Canaries lead making it 5-2.

The AirHogs responded quickly in the bottom half of the frame by answering back with six runs of their own. J B. Tucker started the second by lining his ninth double to the left field wall. Consecutive walks to Drew Holder and Aaron Garza loaded the bases. Cesar Nicolas then cleared the bases with his fourteenth double and league leading forty-sixth RBI's to knot the game at five. The bases would become pregnant with possibilities again in the inning when Mike Conroy walked and Chad Gabriel singled. Ron Fenwick then doubled them all home to give the AirHogs the 8-5 lead.

The Canaries would chip away in the third adding another run to their total and go on to tie the ballgame in the fourth. Patrick Reilly walked and stole second before Ken Lup lined a single up the middle to put runners at first and second. Lead off man Jared Lemieux then walked to load the bases. Tim Hutting followed by lifting a sacrifice fly to center to score Reilly and make the score 8-6. After holding Grand Prairie scoreless in the third Sioux Falls scored two more runs in the fourth to even the score at eight. Cory Harris singled to the first basemen and advanced to second on an errant throw. J.D. Reininger then doubled off the wall to score Harris to make it 8-7. Kyle Eveland tied the game at eight in the next at bat by lifting a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score Reininger making it 8-8.

The AirHogs would take the lead for good in the bottom half of the fourth after Canaries pitcher Angelo Morales walked the bases loaded. Ron Fenwick grounded out to third to score Nicolas and recapture the lead at 9-8. They would add two more in the fifth when Drew Holder led off the inning by tripling to the right centerfield gap. Brandon Carter brought him home with a Baltimore chop over the first basemen's head to tack on to the AirHogs lead. Cesar Nicolas grounded out to third advancing Carter to second base. Mike Conroy then doubled past a diving first basemen scoring Carter pushing the AirHog lead to 11-8.

Sioux Falls threatened in the ninth getting the tying run to second but Pat Mahomes was able to shut the door and earn his first save of the season.

Cesar Nicolas once again led the way for the AirHogs going 2-4 with four RBI and three runs scored. Conroy was also 2-4 knocking one and scoring one while Ron Fenwick knocked in four RBI of his own. For the Canaries Jared Lemieux and Cory Harris were both 2-4 with Lemieux knocking in two and Harris one.

Matt Green picked up his third win on the season for his efforts in relief while Angelo Morales picked up his first loss of the season for the Canaries.

The AirHogs take on the Shreveport-Bossier Captains starting tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. and gates open at 6 p.m. For tickets, call 972.504.9383 or visit www.airhogsbaseball.com.

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American Association Stories from July 5, 2009


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