Diablos pull out series finale

Published on June 5, 2008 under American Association (AA)
El Paso Diablos News Release


The El Paso Diablos scored four-runs in the ninth inning to win the series finale 5-1 against the Grand Prairie Air Hogs on Thursday night from Quik Trip Park.

Grand Prairie started off the scoring in the bottom of the second inning. With two outs, David Espinosa lifted a solo-home run to left field for the 1-0 lead.

El Paso had an opportunity in the top of the third inning. Stantrel Smith sizzled a ground ball to short which Paul Bartolluci bobbled for an error, to lead off the inning. Smith then stole second and took third base on a wild pitch. El Paso had two opportunities to drive him in, but both Bryan Cooksey and J.D Reininger were retired, ending the threat.

Nat Harris went on to retire 11 consecutive Diablos into the seventh inning.

The Diablos tied the game in the top of the eighth inning. Vinny DeChristofaro allowed a lead-off double to Alex Derhak. Evan Conley dropped down a sac-bunt in the next at-bat and advanced Derhak to third. Kory Drew came up to the dish and blasted an RBI triple to center field which knotted up the score. Stantrel Smith then bounced into an inning ending 5-3 double play preventing the Diablos from taking the lead.

El Paso erupted in the top of the ninth inning to win the game. J.D Reininger belted a solo home run to left field, Matt Kent had an RBI double, and Bryon Smith hammered a two-run homer, as the Diablos took a 5-1 lead they would not relinquish.

Jason Vecchio came in for the ninth inning, and got the final three outs. Vecchio did walk three, but did not surrender a base hit.

Nat Harris threw seven shut-out innings allowing no runs off of two hits with one walk and four strikeouts.

Josh Neitz threw seven full allowing one run off of five hits with six strikeouts and two walks.

Jusef Frias (1-1) picks up the victory, he threw a third of an inning scoreless.

Chris Homer (0-2) is the losing pitcher, he tossed one third of an inning allowing two runs off of three hits with no walks and one strikeout.

The Diablos win back to back contests for the first time in twelve days.

The Diablos will open up a four-game series with the first-place Fort Worth Cats on Friday night at 6:05 PM MST at LaGrave Field. Beau Hintz will throw for El Paso against Lee Gwaltney for the Cats. The game will be broadcast live on www.diablos.com with Jon Barr on the call.

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American Association Stories from June 5, 2008


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