Chaos in San Angelo

July 28, 2012 - North American League (NAmL)
Abilene Prairie Dogs News Release


SAN ANGELO, TX - To say it was out of control would be selling Saturday night's game short. In a contest that featured 11 pitchers, 27 runs, 34 hits, three blown saves, four home runs, and an eight-run inning, Abilene came up on the short end for the sixth consecutive game, losing to Colts 14-13 in 10 innings.

As he tried to put an end to what was already a wacky nail biter, Ray Silva, aiming to protect a one-run lead, faced Ronnie Gaines with two outs and the bases empty in the bottom of the ninth. But like he has so many times this season, Gaines burned the Dogs, this time with a solo homer to tie the game at 13 in the last of the ninth.

One inning later, Colin Janssen, in his second professional at-bat, grounded a game-winning single through the left side of the infield, scoring Landon Camp and finalizing an affair that featured a lot of everything on Saturday night.

The 10th was not the first time the Colts put together a late inning rally. Leading 11-9, Abilene handed the ball to Scott Vander Weg for the bottom of the eighth. With one out, the righty allowed a single to Jason Diaz. The next batter, Daryl Jones, bounced a grounded toward Eddie Browne at second base. As Browne went to one knee, he fielded it and threw wildly to second, and both runners were safe. After another pop out, Cory Patton singled in run number ten before Jason Crosland, who was 2-for-5 with five R.B.I.s, roped a go-ahead, two-run double into the left field corner to give the Colts a 13-12 lead.

Abilene tried to respond by breaking the Colts hearts in the top of the ninth. With one out, Eddie Browne, who went 4-for-4 with three runs scored - singled with one out off Colts' closer Erik Draxton. Jason Martin followed with a single before Danny Gonzalez walked to load the bases. It set up Wilson Batista who capitalized in the clutch yet again. On the first pitch he saw, Batista lined a single to right field, scoring both Fogle, who pinch-ran for Browne, and Martin to tie the game. Batista was 3-for-5 with a home run and six R.B.I.s.

The Dogs' biggest inning came in the fourth when they used home runs from Kyle Nichols and Batista to pace an eight-run frame. Eight of the nine Dogs' starters scored in the visiting fourth to provide Abilene with a 10-5 lead.

Jeremy Tietze made his first start of the season and pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing five runs (one earned) on four hits.

At four hours and twenty two minutes, it was the longest game for both squads in 2012, surpassing their 14-inning affair on June 20.

The Dogs will return to San Angelo for a pair of seven inning games on Sunday night beginning at 5:05. Hear both games on 106.9 KLGD or on the internet at abileneprairiedogs.com.



North American League Stories from July 28, 2012


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