Cats Split Doubleheader with Abilene
Published on July 14, 2012 under North American League (NAmL)
Fort Worth Cats News Release
Abilene center fielder Jason Martin hit a grand slam in a 7-2 win over the Fort Worth Cats on Friday night at LaGrave Field in Fort Worth, TX. Martin's blast increased a one run lead to five and sealed the win for Abilene. The win was the nightcap of an unconventional doubleheader that started with the continuation of Tuesday's suspended game between the Prairie Dogs and Cats.
Fort Worth third baseman Brandon Jones provided an early lead four days ago for the Cats with a two-run homerun to tie Abilene first baseman with the league lead for that category at nine. The Prairie Dogs would take a 3-2 lead before rain would delay the game until Friday evening.
The Cats scored three runs in the eighth inning of the continuation, including two on a triple from shortstop Shelby Ford. Jones' and Ford's big hits were their only ones of the game but proved to be important ones in the Cats' 5-3 victory in the first game.
Brandon Wilkerson (5-0) earned the win with a short one inning of one-hit, shutout relief. Closer Jeff Jamnik picked up the save and remains at a perfect 11 for 11 in save opportunities this season. Abilene reliever and former Cat Scott Vander Weg (1-3) could not close out Fort Worth and suffered the loss.
After a short road trip to Abilene in which the Cats picked up two crucial road wins and with the win in the first game, entered the nightcap with a lot of momentum and used that to pick up two early runs on RBI singles from first baseman Jose Ruiz and right fielder Kenny Gilbert. The Cats would not score again in the shortened second game.
Prairie Dogs starter Woods Fines (3-5) picked up the win after throwing five innings and only giving up two runs on six hits. Fines struck out three and walked four batters. Fort Worth starter Steve Barnes (4-3) suffered the loss after giving up three runs on four hits in his four inning outing. Barnes struck out four and walked two batters.
With the win, Abilene's record improves to 19-28 and they sit in fifth place of the United League, 10 1/2 games back of first place Edinburg. Fort Worth's record falls to 27-20 and they are in third place, 2 1/2 games back of Edinburg.
The Cats and Prairie Dogs will face off once again for game two of a three game weekend set on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. at LaGrave. Tickets can be purchased online at FWCats.com or by phone at (817) 332-CATS.
North American League Stories from July 14, 2012
- A Four Run First Inning Propels Cats over Prairie Dogs - Fort Worth Cats
- Dogs Go Down Decisively in Fort Worth - Abilene Prairie Dogs
- Rodriguez Shuts Down WhiteWings, 7-0 - McAllen Thunder
- Rodriguez Shuts Down WhiteWings, 7-0. - Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings
- Colts Activate Gaines - San Angelo Colts
- Cats Split Doubleheader with Abilene - Fort Worth Cats
- An odd split with Ft Worth - Abilene Prairie Dogs
- Colts Swept by Roadrunners - McAllen Thunder
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