Huge First Sets Tone for Rout, Sweep

Published on June 13, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Grand Prairie AirHogs News Release


EL PASO, Texas -- It was one of those nights at Cohen Stadium where the wind blew out and the scoreboard was littered with crooked numbers, but the Grand Prairie AirHogs were able to ride a 10-run first inning and stayed on top to complete a 25-11 victory and a three-game sweep over the El Paso Diablos, extending the AirHogs' winning streak to five overall and nine straight on the road.

David Espinosa walked to start the slugfest, and David Thomas and Cesar Nicolas followed with singles to put the AirHogs (20-9) on the board. After John Alonso flied out, Tyler Henley walked and Jake Taylor reached on a fielder's choice out at home plate, setting up a bases-loaded, two-out situation. But then the floodgates opened, as Zane Chavez, Danny Figueroa, Espinosa and Thomas all singled to knock out starter Adam Rowe (0-2) with an 8-0 score, and Nicolas capped the inning with a two-run homer off one of the palm trees behind the centerfield wall to make it 10-0.

AirHogs starter David Nathanson was also not immune to the conditions at Cohen Stadium, allowing a first-inning home run to Kyle Nichols, a single run in the second and a three-run homer by Manuel Mejia and another run in the fourth, departing one inning shy of qualifying for the win.

But the Diablos (9-20) could not stop the offensive onslaught, with Grand Prairie scoring one in the second and four in the third to take a 15-3 lead. But El Paso scored the four in the fourth and got two in the fifth off Kyle Godfrey to close to within six at 15-9.

Right back came the AirHogs with their second 13-batter inning of the night, with Henley's grand slam off the scoreboard in right-center the exclamation point on the evening.

Jakob Cunningham did allow two runs in the sixth, but he pitched a scoreless seventh, while Dustin Cameron and Jon Hunton (2-0) each threw a scoreless frame to complete the sweep.

Notes: Alonso left the game after being stepped on at first base by Antoin Gray in the first inning. Guillermo Martinez replaced him in the batting order and was 2-for-4 with an RBI and four runs scored...Seven AirHogs had multi-hit games, Eight had hits, and nine had at least one RBI and one run scored...Chavez, Nicolas and Henley each had five RBIs, while those three and Greg Porter all had four hits...El Paso used two position players - catcher Adam Deleo and infielder Butch Ballez, to pitch the final two innings. Ballez had also pitched Friday...Friday's starter Scott Vander Weg also had a relief appearance in this game, allowing give runs (two earned) in two thirds of an inning...El Paso finished with 18 hits...The AirHogs outscored the Diablos 53-16 in the series and out-hit them 55-35.

~~~~~ ~~~~~

The AirHogs now head to Fort Worth for their first meeting of the season with the Cats at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, June 13. The next home game at QuikTrip Park is Thursday, June 16, at 7:05 p.m. against the El Paso Diablos, with Thirsty Thursday, featuring $2 16-oz. beers. Don't miss the renewed commitment to excellence and affordable family entertainment. 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.

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



American Association Stories from June 13, 2011


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