Cats Outlast Colts in Extras
July 17, 2012 - North American League (NAmL)
Fort Worth Cats News Release
Fort Worth found themselves in another close game, but a run by Chuck Caufield in the tenth inning and another save by closer Jeff Jamnik provided the Cats with a 4-3 victory in San Angelo.
Blake Nation made his first start since his complete game shutout last Wednesday in Abilene. Nation pitched well, but a third inning two-run home run by Daryl Jones gave the Colts a 2-0 advantage. Jones ended up with all three San Angelo RBIs after a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning to allow Ryan Hutson to score made a three run deficit for the Cats. Nation ended up with the no decision after lasting six and a third innings pitched.
After Thorpe walked to lead off the sixth inning, second baseman CJ Beatty hit a two-run home run to cut the deficit to just one run. In the last two games, Beatty has batted four-for-eight with two RBIs.
San Angelo starter Jose Sanchez was relieved from duty in the seventh inning after walking the leadoff runner for the second straight inning. David Phillips was called upon to keep the lead, and a double from catcher Derek Marshall and a RBI put out by Scott Dalrymple tied the game at three.
The top half of both the eighth and ninth innings left a Cats' runner stranded in scoring position due to strikeouts. Shelby Ford and Randall Thorpe, both with three strikeouts in the game, were caught looking and argued the call with home plate umpire Johnny Shults.
Despite a double to right field that careened off the very top of the wall by Jason Crosland, San Angelo could not muster a walk off miracle in the ninth inning. TJ Bozeman was credited with his first win of the season after getting the next three Colts' hitters out to force extra innings. In the five games pitched against San Angelo this season, Bozeman has yet to allow a run.
Cats' right fielder Chuck Caufield tripled a 1-1 pitch off of reliever Russell Johns with just one out. A wild pitch following a Chad Gabriel fly out scored the eventual winning run for Fort Worth.
Closer Jeff Jamnik worked his way out of a jam once again to remain perfect in save opportunities this season. Center fielder Ronnie Gaines made it all the way to third before the tenth inning concluded.
Fort Worth still sits at third place in the United League standing, but now only trail first-place Edinburg by a game and a half.
The Cats and Colts will match up again in San Angelo Thursday night after enjoying a day off.
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North American League Stories from July 17, 2012
- Cats Outlast Colts in Extras - Fort Worth Cats
- Colts Lose Heartbreaker in Extras - San Angelo Colts
- Batista Lifts Dogs Late - Abilene Prairie Dogs
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