Cats Beat Up White Wings 10-2 to open the 2012 Season
Published on May 23, 2012 under North American League (NAmL)
Fort Worth Cats News Release
FORT WORTH, TX - The Cats pitching staff started the 2012 season a little shaky but their bats put any fears to sleep as the Cats defeated the Rio Grande White Wings 10-2 to open the NABL Season at LaGrave Field. Blake Nation took the hill for the Cats and started with a walk to leadoff batter James Mays. Francisco Santana reached on a fielding error by Shortstop Benji Gil, allowing the first two to reach. After retiring the next two batters, on a fly out and a strikeout, Nation walked Miguel Alonzo on 5 pitches to load the bases. Jose Rivero then hit a 2 RBI single to left to give the White Wings their only lead of the night. Nation shut down the side by forcing Jhonaldo Pozo into a come backer and a pitcher to 1st throw out. Nation only allowed 5 more hits over the remaining 3+ innings before leaving in the top of the 5th with 2 on. Blake Parry faced two batters in the 5th; first allowing Jose Rivero to reach via a fielders choice, then forcing Pozo into an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play. Parry pitched 3 shutout innings, followed by Mace Thurman and Brandon Wilkerson who each threw a shutout inning apiece.
On the offensive side of the ball, Fort Worth tied up the ballgame in the bottom of the 1st on a 2 RBI single to center by Chad Gabriel. The Cats took the lead in the 2nd on a Derek Marshall RBI double to Center. In the 3rd, R.J. Harris, who went 4 for 4 with a single, 2 doubles, and a triple, came in to score on a Fielding error by 1st Baseman Nick Lenzendorf. The Cats added 2 in the 5th and wrapped up the scoring with 4 in the Seventh, courtesy of a 3-Run shot to Left by John Dziomba and a Sac Fly RBI by Jose Ruiz.
With the win, the Cats start 1-0 while the Rio Grande White Wings fall to 0-1. Starting pitcher Blake Nation (1-0) gets the win while Rafael Al Reyes (0-1) takes the loss.
Both teams return to LaGrave Field tomorrow night for Game Two of their 4 game set. First Pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
North American League Stories from May 23, 2012
- Colts Barrage Thunder with 16 Runs - San Angelo Colts
- Cats Beat Up White Wings 10-2 to open the 2012 Season - Fort Worth Cats
- Roadrunners Drop Season Opener to the Prairie Dogs - Edinburg Roadrunners
- Benji Gil Added To 2012 Fort Worth Cats Roster - Fort Worth Cats
- Colts Trade Page to Frontier League - San Angelo Colts
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