Cats Can't Rally Late in Heated 7-6 Loss
July 7, 2012 - North American League (NAmL)
Fort Worth Cats News Release
Fort Worth third baseman Brandon Jones hit a two-run homerun that seemed to spark a benches-clearing brawl in the third inning of the Cats' 7-6 loss to the Abilene Prairie Dogs on Saturday night at LaGrave Field in Fort Worth, TX.
Abilene starter Mitch Mormann, in his first professional outing, was apparently agitated by a slight hesitation out of the box from Jones after his homer and proceeded to peg catcher Scott Dalrymple and center fielder Randall Thorpe.
After the ball ricocheted off Thorpe's helmet, Thorpe charged the mound instigating the brawl.
Fort Worth reliever TJ Bozeman was ejected and will most likely be suspended for seven games for punching Prairie Dogs first baseman Joe Weik. Cats' starter Trevor Harden and bullpen coach Jeff Russell were also tossed for arguing. The only ejection for Abilene was left fielder Geraldo Valentin.
Mormann was pulled by manager Bobby Brown and replaced with Matt Larkins. Larkins (1-0) would pick up the win after pitching 4 1/3 innings of relief. Larkins held the Cats scoreless, only allowed four hits, and struck out five batters.
Kevin Gelinas came in for the ninth and held off a rally to earn his first save of the season. Fort Worth had a runner in scoring position with one out but could not bring in the equalizing run.
Fort Worth starter Steve Barnes (4-2) threw 5 1/3 innings and was removed after giving up a bases loaded walk in the sixth. Barnes was responsible for all seven runs on 12 hits. Barnes struck out six batters and walked three.
Abilene catcher Zach Welch had a solid performance from the nine-hole in Saturday's game reaching base in his first four at-bats and finishing the game 3-for-5 with three runs scored.
Cats' designated hitter Jon Dziomba had another successful game in the leadoff spot batting 4-for-5 with a run batted in and a run scored. Dziomba was a homerun away from the cycle.
Another consistent hitter for the Cats has been Jones, who in the month of July has hit .480 (12-for-25) with three homeruns and 11 RBIs.
With the loss, Fort Worth now sits a game and a half back from first-place Edinburg. The Cats and the Abilene Prairie Dogs square off again Sunday night at 6:05. All tickets are just five dollars and can be purchased online at FWCats.com or by phone at (817) 332-CATS.
North American League Stories from July 7, 2012
- Dogs hang on for 7-6 win - Abilene Prairie Dogs
- Cats Can't Rally Late in Heated 7-6 Loss - Fort Worth Cats
- Roadrunners Battle Back to Snap Skid - Edinburg Roadrunners
- WhiteWings Earn Walk-Off Win vs. Colts - San Angelo Colts
- Rio Grande Valley Wins Fourth Straight - Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings
- New Pitcher in Abilene - Abilene Prairie Dogs
- Cats Score Five Runs in the Ninth to Pull Away from Abilene - Fort Worth Cats
- Five-Run Ninth Propels Cats - Abilene Prairie Dogs
- Rio Grande Valley Wins Third Straight - Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings
- Colts Surrender Two Home Runs in Loss - San Angelo Colts
- Roadrunners Drop Third Straight - Edinburg Roadrunners
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