Blake Nation Throws League Leading Fourth Complete Game in Cats' Win
July 28, 2012 - North American League (NAmL)
Fort Worth Cats News Release
HARLINGEN- Fort Worth starter Blake Nation allowed just four hits and no earned runs in throwing his North American Baseball League leading fourth complete game as the Fort Worth Cats defeated Rio Grande Valley 4-2 at Harlingen Field.
Nation (7-2), who said the key to his outstanding effort was merely being able to "pound the zone and get ahead in the count," suffered a strained bicep in his second start of the season last year and didn't pitch for the WhiteWings afterwards. He signed with Fort Worth this year out of a desire to pitch in a bigger city and for Cats pitching coach Steve Maddock.
Now, after spending most of his three seasons in the Seattle Mariners chain as a relief pitcher, he has become the Cats' (35-26) top starter.
Nation was fantastic again Saturday night, when after trailing 2-0 after the WhiteWings (34-27) touched him for two runs around two Fort Worth errors and Luis Sumoza's RBI triple in the third, he retired 13 of the last 15 hitters he faced in a 104-pitch effort.
Fort Worth rallied for two runs in the top of the sixth off Cole Stephens (5-3), who allowed only one hit in the first five innings. But Scott Dalrymple, R.J. Harris, and C.J. Beatty touched him for hits to lead off the sixth to score one run, and Haris scored when the WhiteWings doubled up Jon Dziomba to tie the game.
The Cats then took the lead when Kenny Gilbert singled in Brandon Jones with two out in the seventh.
Stephens would finish with seven innings pitched, allowing three runs and six hits while striking out three and not walking a batter.
The final run of the game was scored in the ninth inning when Alberto Reyes allowed a two-out double to Chuck Caufield that sent Shelby Ford in for the run.
With the victory, Fort Worth moves a game ahead of Rio Grande Valley into second place in the United Division.
The two teams will meet Sunday night for the third game of the four game series, with Celson Polanco (7-3) pitching for the WhiteWings against Trevor Harden (5-4).
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North American League Stories from July 28, 2012
- Chaos in San Angelo - Abilene Prairie Dogs
- Thunder Halt Roadrunners' Streak - Edinburg Roadrunners
- Blake Nation Throws League Leading Fourth Complete Game in Cats' Win - Fort Worth Cats
- Cats defeat Rio Grande Valley 4-2 - Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings
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