Blacksher Cuts Down AirHogs

Published on June 13, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Grand Prairie AirHogs News Release


FORT WORTH, Texas -- Fort Worth Cats righty Derek Blacksher started his outing on Monday night with strike one to the Grand Prairie AirHogs' David Espinosa. On his next pitch, the AirHogs' second baseman hit his first home run of the year into the rightfield bleachers to put Blacksher in a quick 1-0 hole. After a strikeout of David Thomas, Cesar Nicolas and Greg Porter singled, and the AirHogs looked to have Blacksher on the ropes. But the righty wriggled out of trouble with a pop-up and a groundout, and absolutely dominated the next seven innings as the Cats beat the AirHogs 6-1 at LaGrave Field.

John Brownell (5-1) hit Cory Morales to start the bottom of the first, and Travis Metcalf then singled. After a wild pitch and a strikeout, Trent Lockwood's grounder tied the game, and Kelley Gulledge's single gave the Cats (14-16) all the offense they would need.

Gulledge struck again with a two-run homer on a hanging breaking ball in the third, and Fort Worth added single runs in the seventh and eighth, but Blacksher (2-4) did not need them.

The righty, who had a complete-game, 12-strikeout, near-no-hitter in his last start at home, allowed a two-out walk in the second and a two-out double to Espinosa in the fifth, but that was it for AirHogs baserunners in the rest of the game. Blacksher struck out 10, including the heart of the Grand Prairie lineup in the sixth, while Matt Sartor pitched a perfect ninth inning to finish the AirHogs (20-10) off.

Notes: Four Cats had multi-hit games...The final 13 AirHogs were retired in order...Gulledge and Lockwood knocked in five of the six Fort Worth runs...The AirHogs saw their five-game overall and nine-game road winning streaks snapped...Only three AirHogs did not strike out at least once.

The AirHogs now head continue their three game series against the Fort Worth Cats on Tuesday, June 14, at 7:05 p.m. The next home game at QuikTrip Park is Thursday, June 16, at 7:05 p.m. against the El Paso Diablos, with Thirsty Thursday, featuring $2 16-oz. beers and Coors Light Jerseys off our Backs Night, with a chance to win the specialty jerseys that the AirHogs will wear that night.. 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.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Association Stories from June 13, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central