Cats claim first-half title with win
Published on June 23, 2008 under American Association (AA)
Fort Worth Cats News Release
Ryan Riddle worked seven solid innings and Cameron Blair had three RBIs as the Fort Worth Cats defeated Grand Prairie 9-1 on Monday night to clinch the first-half South division title.
In front of 4,861 fans, the Cats won their fifth straight and 28th overall to eliminate second-place Grand Prairie from contention. It is the first time since 2005 the Cats have won the season's first-half title.
Fort Worth scored first in the game as Brian Fryer stole two bases in the inning and scored on a throwing error to make it 1-0 Cats. Ed Montague's two-out RBI single in the third gave the Cats a 2-0 advantage.
Nelson Teilon smacked his eighth home run of the season in the fourth inning to put the Cats on top 3-0.
Aided by eight Grand Prairie walks in the sixth and seventh innings, the Cats scored three runs each inning to build a 9-1 advantage. Blair's two-run double in the sixth also contributed to the cause. The AirHogs only run off Riddle came in the sixth inning on and RBI single by Noel Trevino.
Riddle (3-4) allowed just one run on four hits in seven innings of work as he notched his second win this year against Grand Prairie. Kyle Yates and Chris Buechner each worked scoreless innings to finish the game.
Justin Garcia (2-4) suffered the loss after permitting four runs, three earned on seven hits in five innings pitched.
The Cats have secured a playoff spot for the fourth straight year and will look to extend their five-game winning streak on Tuesday as they face Grand Prairie for the second game in the three-game series. Joel Kirsten (5-1) will be on the mound for the Cats with Scot Drucker (3-3) going for the AirHogs Game time is 7:05 p.m.
American Association Stories from June 23, 2008
- American Association Recap June 23 - AA
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- Magic number down to three after win - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Diablos rout Pelicans - El Paso Diablos
- Wingnuts throttle Sports - Wichita Wingnuts
- Cats claim first-half title with win - Fort Worth Cats
- AirHogs dropped 9-1 - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- X's pitching fails them in loss - Sioux City Explorers
- Canaries clobbers their way to win - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Gardner shuts down Saints - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Saints blanked for first time this season in loss - St. Paul Saints
- Canaries guarantee win on Tuesday - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Vinnie DeChristofaro Tabbed Pitcher of the Week - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- Saints and TDS Metrocom to Honor Vietnam Vets July 4 - St. Paul Saints
- âNuts Shake Up Roster - Wichita Wingnuts
- Saints Sign Two Former Top Four Draft Picks - St. Paul Saints
- Saltdogs Sign Three, Deal for Rights to Machado - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Team guarantees AirHogs victory or fans receive a free ticket. - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- American Association Recap - AA
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