Brownell Makes Early Runs Stand Up

Published on August 23, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Grand Prairie AirHogs News Release


SHREVEPORT, La. -- Two batters into the game on Tuesday, Stephen Douglas had already extended his on-base streak to 50 straight games, one away from tying the American Association record, and German Duran's two-run home run gave the Grand Prairie AirHogs a 2-0 lead. Righty John Brownell allowed an unearned run in the bottom of the inning, but the AirHogs got three more in the top of the second. Brownell gave up one more in the bottom of the second but then allowed three more baserunners the rest of the night, pitching his first complete game to give the AirHogs an 8-2 win over the Shreveport-Bossier Captains at Fair Grounds Field.

Greg Porter returned to the Grand Prairie lineup after a month away with a broken thumb, and singled in his first two at-bats, including an RBI hit in the second. Cesar Nicolas also returned after a week on the disabled list with an elbow injury, and he pitched in three RBIs - including two in the eighth inning that broke the game open.

Robert Bono (1-3) labored through the first two innings with more than 70 pitches, but he got through five-plus innings after allowing the early five-spot, but it was more than enough offense for Brownell (11-4) and the AirHogs (59-35).

The righty held the Captains (44-49) to a walk, a hit batter and a single in the final seven frames, including retiring the final 13 straight hitters. He finished with four walks, four singles allowed and six strikeouts, becoming the third AirHogs pitcher in a row to go at least eight innings.

Notes: Nine of the 10 Grand Prairie hits were recorded by the first five hitters in the order, as were six of the eight runs and all seven RBIs...No Captain had a multi-hit game...David Thomas drew three of the six walks surrendered by Bono, while the duo of Jameson Maj and Jose Velazquez did not walk anyone in the final four innings.

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The AirHogs continue their four-game set with Shreveport-Bossier on Wednesday, August 24, at 7:05 p.m. The next home game at QuikTrip Park is on Saturday, August 27, at 7:05 p.m. against Amarillo. It is Negro League Tribute Night presented by Jim Austin Online, where both teams will be wearing old-style Negro League uniforms. There will also be a Fireworks Saturday Night spectacular, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. 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 August 23, 2011


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