Batista Lifts Dogs Late

Published on July 17, 2012 under North American League (NAmL)
Abilene Prairie Dogs News Release


ABILENE, TX - The Dogs had to grind it out on Tuesday night, and they did. With a run-scoring single in the bottom of the eighth inning, Wilson Batista helped Abilene break a tie for the second time in three innings as the Dogs slipped past McAllen for the second straight night, 7-6.

After overcoming an early 3-1 deficit, Abilene posted four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. The first five batters of the frame reached in front of Jason Martin who tagged a two-run double down the right field line to give the Dogs a 5-3 lead.

At the tail end of his first professional start, Matt Larkins retired the final seven batters he faced, beginning with a Matt Redding inning-ending groundout in the top of the third. Larkins, who had appeared out of the bullpen four times for Abilene since he was acquired on July 4, tossed five innings on Tuesday, allowing eight hits and three runs.

Braden Tullis took over to begin the top of the sixth and allowed a pair of singles to Nick Mahin and Nathan Tomaszewski to start the inning. After Roberto Rodriguez grounded into a fielder's choice, Vander Weg replaced Tullis with two outs and two runners aboard. The first man Vander Weg faced was Craig Hertler who laced a two-run triple down the line in right field to tie the game at five.

The back-and-forth contest continued in bottom of the sixth after Jason Martin lined a two-out single into right field and stole second base. Adam De La Garza then punched a go-ahead singled to right field to push to Dogs toward a 6-5 lead.

Vander Weg returned for the top of the seventh and hit Miguel Alfonzo with one out. Yasser Gonez then singled to move the runner to third. The next batter was Nick Mahin who launched a sacrifice fly to left field, tying the game at six.

After an 11/3 of scoreless relief from Kevin Gelinas, the Dogs and Thunder moved to the bottom of the eighth inning with the game knotted at six. Working in his second inning of relief, Kurt Houck retired the first two batters of the home eighth inning. However, his full count pitch to De La Garza narrowly missed the inside corner, and the go-ahead runner was aboard.

De La Garza promptly stole second base before Wilson Batista laced a single to right field, giving the Dogs the lead for good.

Batista extended his hit streak to 11 games with a pair of hits, and Jason Martin was 2-for-5 with a run scored and two R.B.I. Craig Hertler paced the Thunder with three hits and a pair of runs driven in.

The teams will enjoy an off day on Wednesday before resuming the six game series on Thursday night in Abilene. Hear the game on 106.9 KLGD or on the internet at abileneprairiedogs.com beginning with the First Financial Pregame Show at 6:55.

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North American League Stories from July 17, 2012


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