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Dogs hang on in unusual contest

August 11, 2012 - North American League (NAmL)
Abilene Prairie Dogs News Release


ABILENE - The 10-run lead that the Prairie Dogs built over the first three innings on Saturday was good enough to snap Abilene's three-game losing streak. Although things grew uncomfortable in the late innings, the Dogs rode massive production from the first three hitters in their lineup to a 12-8 victory over Fort Worth at Walt Driggers Field.

Joe Weik highlighted a two-run first by knocking in a pair of runs with a double to right-center field. However, the league's leader in total bases was not close to finished. The power-hitting Texan drove in another run in the second inning and two more when his single knocked in Eddie Browne and Jason Martin in the bottom of the third.

When the Dogs finally finished their offensive onslaught, they had scored 10 runs on 12 hits over the first three frames. Their efforts, however, did not go unassisted. The Cats defense committed four errors over the first three frames, making five of the runs unearned.

Among the highlights in the first three innings included Zach Welch and Martin scoring three runs each. Martin went 3-for-5 and added an R.B.I. while Welch was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs driven in.

Erik Gonsalves took the hill in his first start with Abilene. Coming off a full season in the Pecos League, Gonsalves faced only 11 batters over the first three innings before allowing a two-run fourth.

In the fifth, the Cats blitzed the youngster in a four-run frame that included Jose Ruiz's sixth homer of the season, a three-run dinger that banged off the light stanchion behind the 365-foot marker in right- center, trimming the Dogs lead to four.

Gonsalves lasted five innings and surrendered six runs on eight hits on the way to a victory.

The Cats cut the lead down to three on Antoin Gray's R.B.I. single in the seventh off Derek Dingeman. Gray went 4-for-5 with a two runs scored and a pair of R.B.I.s, and Dingeman fired three innigns of relief, giving up one run on four hits and three strikeouts - it was the third time in eight days that Dingeman turned in a relief outing of at least three innings.

Danny Gonzalez was a major contributor as well. The shortstop went 4-for-5 with two runs scored and a run driven in.

The Dogs will host Fort Worth in the fourth game of this eight game series when the teams collide at Walt Driggers Field at 6:05 on Sunday night. Sunday is "Bark in the Park" at the ballpark. Fans are encouraged to bring their dog to the game for no additional cost, the gates open at 5:00. If you cannot make it to the game, hear every pitch on 106.9 KLGD or on the internet at abileneprairiedogs.com beginning with the First Financial Pregame Show at 5:55.

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North American League Stories from August 11, 2012


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