Big Hit Eludes AirHogs in Ninth Again

Published on July 7, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Grand Prairie AirHogs News Release


AMARILLO, Texas -- For the second game in a row, the Grand Prairie AirHogs had the possible tying runs on base in the ninth inning with one of their two big hitters at the plate. But for the second game in a row, the AirHogs could not find the clutch hit needed for their first ninth-inning comeback of the year, as Greg Porter grounded out with the bases loaded to give the Amarillo Sox a 5-4 win on Thursday night at the Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium.

The AirHogs (34-17) had gotten to within one in the ninth on a single, two walks and two wild pitches by Austin Chambliss. Pat Overholt came in and got Guillermo Martinez on a soft liner to second before Cesar Nicolas walked to load the bases and bring up Porter for the final confrontation - which Overholt quickly won on a bouncer to shortstop Jason White, who flipped to second for the game-winning force-out, giving Overholt his second save of the season.

Amarillo (27-24) grabbed the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning against Jon Fulton (2-1), starting with a pop-up single to shallow right-center by Cyle Hankerd that fell in between charging Danny Figueroa and back-tracking David Espinosa.

After a walk to Lee Cruz, Van Pope's grounder to short moved the runners up, and Tim Alberts's grounder stayed just fair inside first base to plate both runners.

The Sox had tied the game at 3-3 off starter Jason Jennings in the seventh, getting three straight two-out hits after two were out with no one on, as Fehlandt Lentini's double off the left-field wall evened the score. Grand Prairie got that lead with single runs in the fifth and seventh, on an Espinosa two-out triple and a Figueroa two-out bunt single.

Both starters, Jennings and Amarillo's Justin Garcia (6-1), pitched very well, with Jennings going seven, allowing seven hits and three runs, with two walks and two strikeouts. Garcia went eight innings, with nine hits and three runs, with a walk and five strikeouts.

The Sox scored first on a single by Kevin Butler in the second, but the AirHogs answered it quickly with a solo homer by David Thomas in the third. After that, Jennings faced the minimum with only one single allowed until Butler singled with two outs in the sixth to start the game-tying rally.

Notes: Seven of the nine AirHogs left on base were in scoring position. Grand Prairie finished 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position...Eight of Amarillo's nine hits were singles, while the AirHogs had three extra-base hits, and out-hit the Sox 10-9....Each team picked off a batter at first.

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The AirHogs and Sox continue their four-game series on Friday, July 8, at 7:05 p.m. The next home game at QuikTrip Park is Monday, July 11, against the Fort Worth Cats at 7:05 p.m. That night is Military Monday, with all active military, fire and police personnel able to purchase tickets for just $5 with ID. Don't miss the renewed commitment to excellence and affordable family entertainment. All games are available with live, free streaming video on ustream.tv. Individual game tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling 972-504-9383 or by visiting www.airhogsbaseball.com.

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American Association Stories from July 7, 2011


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