Diablos win first game of road trip 5-4 over Shreveport

Published on June 4, 2007 under American Association (AA)
El Paso Diablos News Release


Matt Kent's 10th inning sacrifice fly propelled the El Paso Diablos to a 5-4 victory over the Shreveport Sports on Monday night from Shreveport, LA.

El Paso had a chance in the top of the first inning against Shreveport. Albenis Machado led off the contest with a walk. Machado then advanced to second on a wild pitch and on to third base on a ground out. However, Derek Cunningham induced Juan Camacho into a fly out to get himself out of the jam.

The Shreveport Sports threatened against the Diablos in the bottom of the second. With one out, the Sports picked up three singles in a row to load the bases. Josh Neitz erased the jam by striking out Bryan Cooksey and inducing Ryan Hamilton into a pop out to first.

Derek Cunningham retired eight straight Diablos heading into the top of the fifth inning. He also retired 12 of 13 batters after issuing a lead off walk in the game.

The Diablos had an explosive top of the fifth inning off of Derek Cunningham. The Diablos picked up four base hits in the frame scoring three runs. Jordan Belcher, Albenis Machado, and Kory Drew all picked up RBI's in the inning. The Diablos took a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth.

El Paso tacked on another run in the top of the sixth. Walter Olmstead reached on a one out single. Olmstead then stole second base to put himself into scoring position. Matt Kent blasted his second double of the night off the right field wall which scored Olmstead for the 4-0 lead.

The Shreveport Sports jumped on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth. Former El Paso Diablo J.P Schmidt homered to deep right field scoring two runs and cutting the Diablos lead to 4-2.

Dustin Cameron came into replace Neitz in the eighth inning. After getting a quick ground out, Cameron allowed Dusty Maddox to reach a throwing error over the head of Walter Olmstead. Cameron had to face J.P Schmidt, the potential tieing run and he induced Schmidt into a double play to put out the fire.

The Sports had a big ninth inning to send the game into extras. Closer Ned Darley retired the first two Sports. However, Tommy Bryant singled and Melvin Falu reached on an error to make things interesting. Bryan Cooksey then came through in a big way as he belted a two-RBI single off the right field wall knotting the game at four.

El Paso would not be denied in the contest as they pieced together one run in the top of the tenth inning. With runners on the corners and no outs Matt Kent lifted a sacrifice fly to mid center field which scored Juan Camacho for the winning run.

Ned Darley threw a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his third win of the season.

Josh Neitz had an excellent start as he lasted seven innings and allowed just two runs off of seven hits with one walk and four strikeouts.

Derek Cunningham threw seven full for Shreveport yielding three runs off of seven hits with four walks and seven strikeouts.

The El Paso Diablos will take on Shreveport in game two of the four game set on Tuesday night at 6:05 MST. The Diablos now hold a 3.5 game lead over Shreveport in the Southern Division standings. T.J Hendricks will throw against Charles O'Neal in the affair. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1380 as well as at www.diablos.com with Jon Barr on the call.

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American Association Stories from June 4, 2007


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