Captains Get 10 in Final Five to Beat AirHogs

Published on July 7, 2009 under American Association (AA)
Shreveport-Bossier Captains News Release


GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas. ? After their record loss a night earlier, the Shreveport-Bossier Captains were anxious to get off to a good start Tuesday night. Unfortunately for them, Grand Prairie AirHogs rookie pitcher T.J. Macy was not cooperating, as he set down the first nine hitters and 11 of the first 12, getting a couple of great plays from his defense as well. But the Captains had their most successful pitcher of the season, Logan Williamson going, and he only allowed one run through the first four. They eventually proved that the finish is more important than the start, scoring four in the fifth, two in the sixth and four more in the eighth to beat Grand Prairie 10-5 at QuikTrip Park.

Finally in the fifth, the Captains (23-27, 1-1 2nd half) got going, as Jose Torres doubled to start the inning off Macy. Torres then stole third, and scored on a single by Richard Paz over a drawn-in infield. After Dan Williams was hit by a pitch, Tommy Bryant hit a 1-2 hanger to left for his first home run of the season and a 4-1 Shreveport-Bossier lead.

But Williamson (6-2) gave the lead right away in the bottom of the inning. The lefty walked the first two hitters, Ron Fenwick and Drew Holder, the eighth- and ninth-place hitters in the AirHogs order. Aaron Garza then lined a double down the leftfield line to make it 4-3, before a sacrifice bunt and sacrifice fly tied the game.

Back came the Captains in the sixth against lefty Cody Crowell (5-3). Christopher Garcia walked to start the inning, and then Andres Rodriguez, who was robbed of an RBI hit by centerfielder Mike Conroy in the fourth, tripled to deep right-center to give Shreveport-Bossier the lead back. After Selwyn Langaigne flied out to left and kept Rodriguez at third, new pitcher James Morrison walked Jose Torres on four pitches. Torres then stole second, and JB Tucker?s throw went into center, allowing Rodriguez to score to make it 6-4.

Williamson, working for the third straight time on three day?s rest, walked Javier Brito to start the bottom of the sixth. In came Jakob Cunningham and the righty surrendered an RBI double to Chad Gabriel on the first pitch he threw. But Cunningham got a pair of grounders and a flyout to end the inning and prevent Grand Prairie (1-1, 24-26) from scoring the tying run.

The Captains? starter worked less than six innings and allowed more than three earned runs for the first time in his nine starts this year, but still won his fourth straight start.

After Morrison threw a 1-2-3 seventh, the Captains broke the game open in the eighth. Garcia led off with a single and Rodriguez doubled him home against a tiring Morrison. After Langaigne singled, Pat Mahomes came in and was greeted by an RBI single from Torres. After Paz singled and Dan Williams struck out, Bryant beat out a potential double play to get his fourth RBI of the night. Jonathan Reynoso then capped the rally with an RBI single to provide the final margin of victory.

Matt Petty pitched a one-hit, scoreless eighth, before newcomer Derrick Miramontes got four ground balls (one was an error) to end things and give the Captains their first win of the second half of the season.

Notes: Miramontes was acquired from Southern Illinois of the Frontier League for future considerations. He replaces righty Nathaniel Fornea, who was released?The 3-through-7 hitters in the Captains order went 9-for-21 with four RBIs and eight runs scored?Torres became the first Shreveport-Bossier player with two steals in a game this season?The Captains picked Brandon Carter off first twice in the game, once by Williamson and once by Cunningham?Bryant?s homer was the first for the Captains in 14 games, since Garcia went deep at Fort Worth on June 23.

The Shreveport-Bossier Captains conclude their series at the Grand Prairie AirHogs Wednesday, July 8, at 11:05 a.m. The Captains then return home to face North Division first-half champion Wichita on Friday, July 10, at 7:05 p.m., with 1st Choice Personnel Batting Helmet Giveaway Night. All games are broadcast on ESPN Radio, KRMD-1340 AM and streamed live on supertalk1340.com, with streaming video provided by NiftyTV on www.sbcaptains.com for all home games and select road games. For information on tickets, promotions, advertising, and other opportunities with the Captains, check out the team?s Web site at www.sbcaptains.com, or call the Fair Grounds Field office at (318) 636-5555.

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American Association Stories from July 7, 2009


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