Peterson's Ninth-Inning Two-Run Shot Gives Captains Thrilling 4-3 Win in Grand Prairie

Published on June 29, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Shreveport-Bossier Captains News Release


GRAND PRAIRIE, Tx.---Brian Peterson's two-run homer brought the Captains back from behind in the top of the ninth to beat the Grand Prairie AirHogs 4-3 in thrilling fashion Wednesday night at QuikTrip Park. The Captains dugout erupted in cheers when the umpires, after a lengthy discussion, upheld the call that Peterson's shot down the left field line was a fair ball. The home run was the first allowed by Grand Prairie closer Jon Hunton (4-1) all year and marked the first time in 27 games this year the AirHogs had been defeated when leading after eight innings.

Uriak Marquez led off the ninth with a bunt single down the third base line. He moved to second on Joe Urtuzuastegui's sacrifice bunt, which he laid down successfully with two strikes on him after bunting the first two attempts foul. That brought Peterson to the plate and he launched Hunton's 1-2 offering just to the right of the left field foul pole for his third home run of the year. The pitch before, Peterson had barely fouled off a two-strike pitch to stay alive in the at bat.

Captains closer Dan Griffin (Sv, 14) pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth to pick up the save. He has four saves this year against the AirHogs and has saved all four Captains wins against Grand Prairie this season.

Grand Prairie took an early lead in the game with a run in the second off Captains starter Osvaldo Rodriguez when Tyler Henley doubled with one out and took third when Rodriguez's attempted pickoff throw to second sailed into center field. Henley would score on a Chris McMurray base hit.

The AirHogs added a run in the third when Cesar Nicolas hit a sacrifice fly to score David Espinosa.

The Captains would tie the game in the fifth off AirHogs starter John Brownell. Joe Urtuzuastegui led off the inning with a solo home run to left to get Shreveport-Bossier on the board. Peterson came to the plate next and doubled to center. He would come in two batters later on Mike Provencher's RBI triple.

Grand Prairie took the lead in the eighth without recording a hit off Captains reliever Lee Henry (3-0). David Thomas led off the inning reaching base on first baseman Urtuzuastegui's fielding error. He would steal second and take third on a wild pitch. Nicolas would plate him with his second sacrifice fly of the night.

Rodriguez went seven innings for the Captains, allowing four hits and two runs while walking four and striking out five. Brownell was equally good, lasting seven innings and giving up two runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out three. The loss for Hunton marked his first blown save of the year.

Peterson was 2-for-4 on the night with a double, home run, two runs and two RBIs. Center fielder Robert Perry was 2-for-3 with a walk. Urtuzuastegui was 1-for-3 with the home run and the ninth-inning sacrifice bunt. For Grand Prairie, Nicolas went 0-for-1 with two sac flies and a walk.

With the victory, Shreveport-Bossier improves to 24-20, 5.5 games behind the AirHogs in the American Associaiton South. The Captains go for the series win Thursday June 30, sending Joel Kirsten (1-2, 7.52) to the mound. First pitch from QuikTrip Park is 7:05 p.m.

Season tickets and single-game tickets to the Captains are available for purchase in-person or over the phone by visiting the Captains Executive Offices at 2901 Pershing Boulevard at Fair Grounds Field or by calling (318) 636-5555. VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted.

For more information about season and individual game tickets, game times, promotions, marketing opportunities, full game schedule, and everything else Captains, visit the "Official Website of the Shreveport-Bossier Captains" by logging onto www.sbcaptains.com.

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American Association Stories from June 29, 2011


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