Sports stats



Dog Fight and a Split

August 26, 2012 - North American League (NAmL)
Abilene Prairie Dogs News Release


FORT WORTH -- They had their hearts broken in game one, but the Prairie Dogs rebounded to sneak away with a game two victory, splitting a double header with Fort Worth, 6-5 and 8-6 at LaGrave Field.

In a scheduled seven-inning game, Abilene turned to closer Kevin Gelinas to protect a one-run, seventh inning lead. Jose Ruiz started the frame with a single and was quickly removed in favor of pinch-runner Randall Thorpe. After Brandon Jones flied out, C.J. Beatty plated Thorpe with a game-tying double down the left field line, drawing the Cats even at 5-5.

Bobby Brown then elected to intentionally walk Chuck Caufield to set up the double play. However, Gelinas threw a wild pitch that bumped the runners to second and third. With pinch-hitter Derek Marshall already ahead in the count 2-0, the Dogs intentionally walked him as well, this time loading the bases.

With the winning run on third and one out, Brown removed Gelinas and called for righty Derrick Dingeman. Scott Dalrymple - who was already 2-for-3 with an R.B.I. - lofted Dingeman's second pitch into shallow right field. David Phillips made the catch and threw home, but Thorpe slid in safely ahead of Zach Welch's tag, sending Fort Worth to 6-5, walk-off victory.

The Dogs began losing control of a 5-1 lead when Dalrymple knocked in a run with a second inning single off starter Freddy Flores. The Cats then scored twice more in the fourth, pulling to within 5-4.

Abilene's rookie leftfielder Braden Embry burned Steve Barnes early. The lefty batter from Reisel, Texas clocked a run-scoring double in the first and then a two-run single in the second. Within the double header, Embry went 5-for-8 with three doubles and five runs batted in.

In the second game, Cats' starter Blake Parry could not find a way to limit the damage in the middle innings. The righty allowed eight runs on nine hits - including six doubles - between the third and fourth frames. Embry doubled and scored in both innings, and Geraldo Valentin collected a double in the third and an R.B.I. single in the fourth.

Matt Larkins started for the Dogs and lacked the pinpoint accuracy that has helped him emerge as one of the premier young pitchers in the United League. The righty from Carona, California allowed 12 hits and four walks - both season-high marks - and gave up four runs over six innings. However, the Dogs' offensive outburst was enough to help Larkins (4-1) to his fourth professional victory.

Trailing 8-1 in the bottom of the seventh, Fort Worth scratched out four hits, pushed across five runs, and placed the tying run on first after Jon Dziomba knocked in a rrn and reached on a two-out, infield single. However, Steve Merslich relieved Larkins and overcame a pair of unearned runs to eventually retire the dangerous Chad Gabriel to pop out to first base, ending the game and securing a split with a game two win.

The Dogs and Cats will wrap up the five-game series with a 6:05 first pitch at LaGrave Field on Sunday night. Hear the game on 106.9 KLGD or on the internet at abileneprairiedogs.com beginning with the First Financial Pregame Show at 5:55.

• Discuss this story on the North American League message board...

North American League Stories from August 26, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Abilene Prairie Dogs Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central