Captains Win Third Straight, 6-5, as Cats Leave Bases Loaded in Ninth

Published on June 18, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Shreveport-Bossier Captains News Release


SHREVEPORT, LA.---The Shreveport-Bossier Captains made it through a wild ride in the top of the ninth inning to win their third straight, defeating the Fort Worth Cats 6-5 at Fair Grounds Field Saturday night. With the bases loaded and two outs, Captains third baseman Joe Urtuzuastegui made a back-handed grab on a John Allen ground ball, then beat Trent Lockwood to the bag on a close play for the force out to end the game.

The play saved at least the tying run from scoring and probably prevented the Cats from taking the lead. With one out in the ninth and Captains closer Dan Griffin (Sv, 10) on the hill, Cats third baseman Travis Metcalf walked. With two outs, Griffin walked Trent Lockwood and then Marcos Rodriguez advanced to first on an error by Captains first baseman Andres Rodriguez to the load the bases and set the stage for Urtuzuastegui's dramatic putout.

The Captains and Cats combined for eleven runs in the first three and a half innings of play but no team scored after the top of the fourth. Shreveport-Bossier took an early lead on Bryan Fricther's first-inning solo home run, his third of the year, off Cats starter Tyler Seamen (0-3). Frichter was 2-for-4 with two runs scored in the game.

With Fort Worth leading 2-1 in the bottom of the second, Brian Peterson launched his second home run of the year over the wall in left, a three-run shot to make it 4-2 Captains. But the Cats would tie it up in the third on an RBI single by Travis Metcalf and an RBI double by Kelley Gulledge. The Captains would go up 6-4 after three on a Palmer Karr Jr. RBI single and an Urtuzuastegui RBI fielder's choice.

In the fourth, the Cats cut the lead to one on a Brian Fryer RBI single, which scored Cory Morales, who reached on an error to Urtuzuastegui. Captains starter Osvaldo Rodriguez (3-1) would settle in however, retiring seven of the last eight hitters he faced. The Cats would leave two in the seventh against Shreveport-Bossier reliever Mark Haynes. In the eighth, Jameson Maj struck out left fielder Jeremy Sauceda with the tying run on third to end the inning.

Andres Rodriguez had another strong night at the plate for the Captains, going 3-for-4 with a double, a run scored and a stolen base. Mike Provencher was 1-for-3, reaching base safely three times and picking up his 12th steal of the year. Urtuzuastegui went 1-for-2 with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base.

Osvaldo Rodriguez went six innings allowing five runs on eight hits. He walked three and struck out five. Griffin faced six batters in the eighth but earned his 10th save, tied for the league lead.

The Captains have won three in a row and stand at 18-16, 6.5 games behind the Grand Prairie AirHogs in the American Association South Division. They go for the sweep of Fort Worth Sunday, June 19th by sending former Cats starter Joel Kirsten (3-2, 6.14) to the mound against Derek Blacksher (2-4, 4.28). It's a special Father's Day Pepsi Presents Bark at the Park where fans get $2 admission and $2 on Pepsi products. Canine-loving fans are also invited to bring their dogs to the game on a leash. Game time is 6:05 p.m. Gates open at 5:05.

Season tickets and single-game tickets are available for purchase in-person or over the phone by visiting the Captains Executive Offices at 2901 Pershing Boulevard at Fair Grounds Field or by calling (318) 636-5555. VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted.

For more information about season and individual game tickets, game times, promotions, marketing opportunities, full game schedule, and everything else Captains, visit the "Official Website of the Shreveport-Bossier Captains" by logging onto www.sbcaptains.com.

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American Association Stories from June 18, 2011


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