Five-Run Eighth Helps AirHogs Clinch Best Record

Published on August 28, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Grand Prairie AirHogs News Release


GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas -- On the day that their manager tied the knot, the Grand Prairie AirHogs gutted out an 8-6 win over the Amarillo Sox in front of 3,579 fans at QuikTrip Park to clinch the best record in the American Association this season, scoring five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to finish off their comeback from three runs down.

Guillermo Martinez tied the game with a two-out single off Chad Povich, after John Alonso's two-run homer off Corey Bass (5-5) brought the AirHogs (63-35) to within a run. Bass allowed an 0-2 single to Joey Gomes, who was then pinch-run for by Danny Figueroa. A wild pitch and an error got Figueroa to third, but Chris McMurray lined into a double play to put the pressure on the AirHogs.

After Bass intentionally walked Stephen Douglas, Martinez came through with his flare to center, before a walk to David Espinosa and a two-run single to left by Greg Porter gave Grand Prairie the two winning runs.

Jon Hunton walked one and allowed a hit in the top of the ninth, but struck out Josh Banda after falling behind 3-0 to finish off his league-leading 24th save of the season.

Jason White was the Amarillo hitting star, bringing the Sox (43-55) back from an early 3-0 deficit. His single off starter Tim Brown in the fifth made it 3-2, and another two-run knock gave Amarillo the lead in the top of the seventh. A sacrifice fly later that inning by Tim Alberts gave the Sox a two-run lead, and Kevin Butler's home run off Matt Sartor (3-3) in the eighth made it 6-3, before the AirHogs' eventual rally.

Notes: Grand Prairie manager Ricky VanAsselberg married the former Annie Malott on the field before the game with the AirHogs players serving as an honor guard...Butler, a .282 hitter on the season, is hitting .500 (19-for-38) this year against Grand Prairie...Douglas had two hits to set a new American Association record with 156 hits on the season...Third baseman Cesar Nicolas had one stretch from the first until the third where seven consecutive batters hit the ball to him.

The AirHogs continue their regular season-ending three-game set with Amarillo on Sunday, August 28, at 6:05 p.m. for Pepsi Family Night, featuring $1 Pepsi products and hot dogs, as well as a chance to play catch on the field before the game and for kids to run the bases postgame. All games are available with live, free streaming video on ustream.tv. Individual game tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling 972-504-9383 or by visiting www.airhogsbaseball.com.

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American Association Stories from August 28, 2011


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