Cats Score Five Runs in the Ninth to Pull Away from Abilene
July 7, 2012 - North American League (NAmL)
Fort Worth Cats News Release
Fans were treated to a high-scoring affair Friday as the Fort Worth Cats outscored the Abilene Prairie Dogs 13-8 at Walt Driggers Field in Abilene.
The two teams combined for 24 hits in the game. The game was back-and-forth heading into the ninth, with seven lead changes.
The Fort Worth Cats finally managed to grab the lead after a strong ninth inning. Jose Ruiz reached first on a base hit and was then subbed for the quicker Randall Thorpe. Thorpe immediately stole second to put himself in scoring position.
After CJ Beatty moved Thorpe to third base on a groundout, Derek Marshall struck out for the second out. Brandon Jones came up next and hit a double to score Thorpe. Three straight walks followed before Chuck Caufield cleared the bases to put the game out of reach. All five runs in the ninth inning were scored with two outs on the board.
Brandon Jones racked up three RBIs on three hits for the Fort Worth Cats. He singled in the seventh inning and doubled in the second and ninth innings.
Brandon Wilkerson got the win, running his season record to 4-0. Wilkerson struck out two, walked none and gave up one hit in the eighth inning. Jeff Jamnik came in to pitch in the ninth to stop any hope of a late comeback from Abilene.
Ray Silva (0-1) took the loss for the Abilene Prairie Dogs. He lasted just two-thirds of an inning, walked three, struck out one, and allowed five runs in the ninth inning.
With the win, Fort Worth moves just a half game back from first-place Edinburg.
The Cats sweep the two-game series from the Abilene Prairie Dogs, as both teams will again face off Saturday night, but this time in Fort Worth. First pitch is set for 7:05, and tickets are available online at FWCats.com or by phone at (817) 332-CATS.
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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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