Grand Prairie grand slam beats Pelicans, 8-6

Published on August 3, 2009 under American Association (AA)
Pensacola Pelicans News Release


The Pelicans had the ballgame for seven innings, but Cesar Nicolas' second grand slam of the year lifted the Air Hogs over the Pelicans 8-6 on Monday night in Grand Prairie. After a solid start, the Pelicans looked to be on their way to a tie with the Captains for first place. However, the loss drops them a full game behind Shreveport-Bossier in the South Division standings of the American Association.

Pensacola got it started in the top of the first, scoring Francisco Leandro on a double by Antoin Gray. Leandro originally walked and stole second base.

The Pels added three more runs in the top of the fourth. Lou Palmisano was hit by a pitch and scored on a single by Dallas Christison, his second base hit of three on the night. With Adam Darby on third base, a Kevin Reynolds' sacrifice fly brought Darby in, and Christison came home on a Leandro single.

Grand Prairie responded with three runs of their own in the bottom frame, with Chad Gabriel hitting a RBI double and JB Tucker collecting a two-RBI double. After four innings Pensacola led 4-3.

Two more runs came for the Pelicans in the top of the seventh, as Francisco Leandro tripled and scored, and Marcos Rodriguez touched home as well.

The Air Hogs added another run in the bottom of the seventh, but with Pensacola leading 6-4 heading into the bottom of the eighth, the game seemed secure.

Enter Cesar Nicolas. After connecting for a grand slam last Tuesday in Fort Worth, Nicolas craved salami again, going deep for four RBI and putting the Air Hogs on top, 8-6.

The Pelicans had a miscue in the top of the ninth, as Antoin Gray neglected to touch second base when he was awarded third from first on an overthrow. The Air Hogs appealed, the out was called, and the game was over.

The Pelicans were led at the plate by Dallas Christison, going 3-4 with a stolen base, a RBI, and a run scored. Leandro went 2-4 with the triple and RBI single, and Antoin Gray had a pair of doubles and a run batted in. Adam Darby went 2-4 with two RBI as well.

Aaron Jackson started this game for the Pelicans going 5.2 innings and allowing three runs (earned). He walked two and allowed seven hits, striking out one. Tyler Wilson pitched two-thirds of an inning and allowed one run (unearned) on one hit, with a strikeout and a walk. Ulysses Roque was hit for the loss, yielding four runs (three earned) on two hits, no walks, and striking out two.

Justin Garcia earned the win for the Air Hogs and James Morrison picked up his thirteenth save. The two teams face off again tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. Jason Navarro will have the ball for the Pelicans.

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American Association Stories from August 3, 2009


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