Dogs Go Down Decisively in Fort Worth

Published on July 14, 2012 under North American League (NAmL)
Abilene Prairie Dogs News Release


FORT WORTH - Last Saturday at LaGrave Field there was no shortage of fire between the Cats and Prairie Dogs; the benches cleared and the Dogs hung on for a thrilling victory. One week later, the same teams clashed on the same field in a game that unfolded in stark opposition to last week's festivities. Behind a four-run first inning, the Cats rolled over the Abilene, bringing the first half of the season to a close with a 9-4 victory.

The first four Cats batters scored against Abilene starter Billy Petrick in the bottom of the first inning. Shelby Ford, Jose Ruiz, and Chuck Caufield all tallied run-scoring singles in a boisterous first frame that saw nine Cats batters come to the plate.

The Dogs tried to claw back into the game in the top of the third when Joe Weik cracked a two-run single into left-center field to cut the lead to 4-2. However, Kyle Nichols and Geraldo Valentin failed to draw Abilene any closer, leaving runners on second and third.

After a scoreless second inning, Petrick scuffled in the third. Chad Gabriel launched a leadoff triple into the right-center field gap and scored on Kenny Gilbert's sacrifice fly to left field to make it a 5-2 game. And the Cats tagged the 6'7" righty for three more runs in the fourth as Ford and Ruiz both drove in their second runs of the game.

Fort Worth starter Blake Parry, making his first start of the season, turned in six quality innings. The righty from Anaheim allowed nine hits but gave up just three runs. Parry, who entered the game with seven strikeouts in 202/3 innings pitched out of the bullpen, fanned six Abilene batters on the way to his third victory of the season.

Chris Caves blasted his fourth home run of the season off Brandon Wilkerson in the top of the eighth.

The Dogs used four pitchers over the course of the final four innings including Nichols who appeared on the mound for the first time this season. Normally a power hitting first baseman/ designated hitter, the 6'2", 240 lbs veteran worked through a scoreless eighth inning, striking out two batters and allowing only a two-out, infield hit to Gabriel. It was the sixth appearance on the mound for Nichols over the course of his 12-year career and the first time he has pitched since he hurled a pair of scoreless innings with the Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League in 2008.

Abilene and Fort Worth will conclude the 11-game series with a 6:05 first pitch 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.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



North American League Stories from July 14, 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.

OurSports Central