Brachold walk off caps split of doubleheader

May 28, 2014 - American Association (AA)
Amarillo ThunderHeads News Release


The Amarillo Sox were one out away from being swept in Tuesday's doubleheader against the Trois-Rivieres Aigles, but a wild finish in game two of the doubleheader allowed the Sox to salvage a split.

In game one, the Sox jumped out to a 3-0 lead after three innings, and appeared to be in cruise control going to the final innings of the 7-inning contest. Amarillo scored a run in the bottom of the first after loading the bases with nobody out, but could only score the run after first baseman Keith Brachold grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. Amarillo would again load the bases in the bottom of the third, and would score a pair of runs on an RBI single by Brachold and an RBI fielder's choice by Jeremy Williams.

After cruising through the first four innings, Derek Blacksher found himself in trouble in the top of the fifth. The Aigles loaded the bases with one out after a walk and a pair of singles, and would score runs on a two-run single by Steve Brown and an error by Sox shortstop Charlie Mirabal. The Aigles would take the lead in the sixth off Sox reliever Celson Polanco when Joey Side singled home the go-ahead run with one out.

Trois-Rivieres would add three insurance runs off Matt Larkins in the top of the seventh, taking advantage of three hits and two walks to seal the 7-3 victory for the Aigles. Polanco took the loss, while Aigles reliever David Leblanc got the win out of the bullpen.

Game two saw a masterful pitcher's duel for six innings, and a wild seventh in which the Sox captured the win. Amarillo's Dayne Quist and Trois-Riviere's Matthew Rusch kept the game scoreless going to the final inning before the Aigles found the scoreboard with a two-out, two-run homer by Side.

Amarillo would show some plate discipline in the bottom of the seventh to begin the comeback, when Kevin Mahoney and Jeff Farnham led off the inning with walks. After a Jason Martin sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third, Charlie Mirabal would draw the Sox' third walk of the inning to load the bases. Derek Perren would pull the Sox to within one with a bloop single to rightfield. After Josh Miller struck out swinging for out number two, Cory Patton drew the fourth walk of the inning to tie the game. With the bases still loaded, Keith Brachold worked a full count before lining a walk off single to centerfield to give the Sox a 3-2 win.

Nick Purdy took the loss for the Aigles out of the bullpen, while Kellen Moen got the victory for the Sox in relief. Amarillo is now 6-6 on the season, and will finish the three-game series with the Aigles tomorrow night. It will be U.S. Marine Night at the ballpark as part of the Sox Salute to Service this season.



American Association Stories from May 28, 2014


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