
American Association Recap
Published on July 5, 2007 under American Association (AA) News Release
Coastal Bend 2, Sioux Falls 0 (Game 1 - 7 innings)
@Robstown, TX. Time: 1:41
W: Kevin Hull (5-3) L: Ryan Ford (2-3) S: Tom Atlee (10)
HR: CB-Grant Richardson (5)
With a slim 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourthinning, the Aviators got a solo home run and a little breathing room from 1B Grant Richardson. Richardson, who also batted in the Aviators' first run of the game on a first-inning double, went 2-for-3 on the night with a run and two RBI. Working with a lead for the entire game, starting Aviators pitcher Kevin Hull nearly pitched a complete-game shutout, finishing his night only one out shy of that task. In 6.2 innings, Hull allowed no runs on six hits with a walk and seven strikeouts. With two outs and runners on first and second for Sioux Falls in the top of the seventh inning, Hull was replaced by Aviators closer Tom Atlee, who quickly retired the only batter he faced to pick up his 10th save of the season.
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Coastal Bend 5, Sioux Falls 2 (Game 2 - 7 innings)
@Robstown, TX. Time: 1:44 Attendance: 1217
W: J.R. Pickens (4-1) L: Micah Posey (2-6) S: Tom Atlee (11)
HR: NONE
Coastal Bend used strong nights from its first three batters to earn a doubleheader sweep of Sioux Falls. Lead-off CF Brian Fryer and RF Matt Spencer each went 2-for-3 with two RBI. Fryer also scored a run. After falling behind 2-0 early in the game, the Aviators used a three-run bottom of the third inning to take over the lead. The next inning, Coastal Bend scored two more runs to give starting pitcher J.R. Pickens a little more room to work with. Pickens earned his fourth win of the season after pitching five innings and alloweing two runs on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Coastal Bend closer Tom Atlee made his second appearance of the night, pitching an entire hitless inning to earn his 11th save of the season.
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Lincoln 5, Sioux City 4
@Sioux City, IA. Time: 2:29 Attendance: 1507
W: Mark Roberts (4-1) L: Matt Wilkinson (2-2) S: Matt Varner (12)
HR: NONE
The Explorers were just three outs away from earning their second win of the second half Thursday. However, Lincoln had other plans. Trailing 4-1 in the top of the ninth inning, the Saltdogs used four hits and a walk to score four runs and take a one-run lead. Saltdogs LF/CF Pichi Balet came up huge for Lincoln in the ninth inning, knocking a two-run double to right center. Balet went 3-for-5 on the night with three RBI. In the bottom of the inning, Lincoln closer Matt Varner entered the game and pitched a perfect inning to earn his 12th save of the season.
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St. Paul 5, St. Joe 1 (11 innings)
@St. Joseph, MO. Time: 3:35 Attendance: 339
W: Sean Kramer (1-0) L: Tim Vasquez (1-2) S: NONE
HR: NONE
The Saints and Blacksnakes battled for ten innings before either team scored a run. In the top of the 11th inning, St. Paul took advantage of two St. Joe errors to score five runs on four hits and take a commanding 5-0 lead. The first Saint to cross the plate in the 11th was RF Brent Krause, who went 3-for-5 on the night. Saints starting pitcher Charlie Ruud pitched nine scoreless innings and allowed only four hits and struck out ten Blacksnakes batters. But Ruud would not figure in the decision, as he was replaced by reliever Jason Cierlik in the top of the tenth inning. Cierlik and Sean Kramer combined to pitch a hitless tenth inning, with Kramer picking up the decision to get his first win of the season.
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El Paso 8, Shreveport 7
@El Paso, TX. Time: 3:00 Attendance: 1949
W: Justin Knoff (3-1) L: Matt Yeatman (5-2) S: Ned Darley (13)
HR: NONE
For more information go to our website americanassociationbaseball.com.
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Pensacola at Fort Worth (DH) (Postponed - Rain)
@Fort Worth, TX.
The doubleheader was postponed due to rain. Games will be made up as part of doubleheaders on Tuesday July 20th in Fort Wort, TX. at 5:05 PM and Thursday August 2nd in Pensacola, FL. at 5:35 PM.
American Association Stories from July 5, 2007
- American Association Recap - AA
- Diablos Outslug Shreveport, 8-7 - El Paso Diablos
- It Takes 11, but Saints Win 5-1 - St. Paul Saints
- Aviators Sweep Doubleheader, Off to 3-0 Start - Coastal Bend Aviators
- Canaries Drop Game Two, 5-2 - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Canaries Fall in Doubleheader Opener, 2-0 - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Pelicans LHP Logan Williamson Named to 2007 All-Star Team - Pensacola Pelicans
- Former Major Leaguer Greg Litton Pels Celebrity Coach - Pensacola Pelicans
- Pitchers For All-Star Game Announced - AA
- Rusty Begnaud Returns, TP Night and Literacy Night Highlight Promotions - Pensacola Pelicans
- Three More Birds Named All-Stars - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Saints Pitcher Whinnery Selected to All-Star Team - St. Paul Saints
- American Association All-Star pitchers announced - AA
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