Nation Dominates as Fort Worth Cats Blank Dogs
July 11, 2012 - North American League (NAmL)
Fort Worth Cats News Release
ABILENE, TX - He almost did it in each of his last pair of outings, but tonight Blake Nation finally captured the first shutout of his five-year professional career as he limited Abilene to just six hits in a 7-0 Cats' victory at Walt Driggers' Field on Wednesday night.
In his June 30 start, Nation brought a shutout into the ninth inning before allowing a one-out home run. Six days ago in Abilene, the 6'8" righty tripped over the bottom of the third inning when the Dogs scored three times but allowed only two hits over his final four innings pitched.
But nothing stood in Nation's way on Wednesday night. The Fort Worth infield backed the Atlanta native with three double plays as he scattered six hits in the game and walked just a single batter.
Adam Rowe started for the Dogs and allowed a pair of runs on consecutive run scoring hits in the first - a double from Brandon Jones and a single from Jose Ruiz.
After retiring seven consecutive hitters, Rowe returned to the hill for the top of the fourth, trailing 2-0. Jones began the frame with single to left before Ruiz blasted a monster home run well beyond the tall scoreboard in right-center field, a two-run shot that propelled the visitors toward a 4-0 advantage. However, the Cats would tacked on another fourth inning run after Shelby Ford double down the line in left, moved to third on a groundout to first, and scored when Derek Marshall bounced out to second.
Randall Thorpe began the top of the fifth inning by chopping an infield hit down the third base line. Moments after Rowe popped off the mound to field the slow roller, he received a visit from the medical staff and exited the game without facing another batter. The veteran left-hander appeared to be nursing a leg ailment as he walked toward the dugout.
Jeremy Tietze appeared out of the bullpen and worked through the fifth and sixth without allowing a run. However, as he returned for his third inning of work in the seventh, the right-handed Texan walked the first two men he faced before Chuck Caufield doubled into left-center field. On the play, Scott Dalrymple scored but Thorpe was gunned down at the plate. Tieteze would allow one more run in the inning before Shelby Ford lined out to Danny Gonzalez at shortstop who stepped on second for the seventh double play of the game.
The teams continue the 11-game set on Thursday night when they collide at Walt Driggers' Field once again. Hear the game on the internet at abileneprairiedogs.com as first pitch is set for 7:05.
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North American League Stories from July 11, 2012
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- Nation Dominates as Fort Worth Cats Blank Dogs - Fort Worth Cats
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