Cats Use Long Balls to Salvage Final Game of Series

Published on July 4, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Grand Prairie AirHogs News Release


FORT WORTH, Texas -- The Fort Worth Cats used a pair of home runs and some good two-strike hitting to keep the Grand Prairie AirHogs from completing a four-game sweep, beating Grand Prairie 6-3 in front of a big Independence Day crowd at LaGrave Field.

John Brownell (6-2) allowed a hit and a walk to start the bottom of the first, but then got two outs without anyone scoring. Up came John Allen, who fell behind 0-2 on a pair of curveballs, but then hammered a third over the leftfield wall to give the Cats (21-28) the 3-0 lead.

Meanwhile, Dwayne Pollok (1-3) allowed only one baserunner (on an error) in the first four innings, before the AirHogs (34-16) got two hits and a walk in the fifth to get on the board, and Chris McMurray homered with two outs in the sixth to make it 3-2.

However, Grand Prairie could not get any closer, as Allen lofted a two-strike single just inside the rightfield line with two outs in the sixth to make it 4-2, and Kelley Gulledge hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth with two strikes and one out to give the Cats a four-run lead.

The AirHogs made it interesting in the ninth, scoring an unearned run and loading the bases on walks with two outs. But Nick DeBarr, who got the last six outs for his fourth save of the year, struck out Cesar Nicolas to end the ballgame.

Notes: Grand Prairie got five hits but left nine on base...Only Thomas had two hits for Grand Prairie, while Gulledge, Trent Lockwood and Allen (the heart of the Cats order) combined to go 6-for-11 with four runs scored and all six driven in...Cody Railsback made his AirHogs debut in the eighth, walking one and striking out one in 2/3 of an inning.

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The AirHogs have the next two days off before heading to Amarillo for the first time this season, taking on the Sox for a four-game series starting Thursday, July 7 at 7:05 p.m.The next home game at QuikTrip Park is Monday, July 11, against the Fort Worth Cats at 7:05 p.m. That night is Military Monday, with all active military, fire and police personnel able to purchase tickets for just $5 with ID. Don't miss the renewed commitment to excellence and affordable family entertainment. All games are available with live, free streaming video on ustream.tv. Individual game tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling 972-504-9383 or by visiting www.airhogsbaseball.com.

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American Association Stories from July 4, 2011


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