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Prairie Dogs Lose Another Heart-Breaker in Edinburg

June 7, 2012 - North American League (NAmL)
Abilene Prairie Dogs News Release


EDINBURG, TX -- As Eddie Browne's go-ahead single dropped into centerfield to cap off the Prairie Dogs' come-from-behind ninth inning, it seemed as though Abilene had overcome the final hurdle on Thursday night. But after the combination of Todd Weldon and David Slovak could record only one out in the bottom of the ninth, the McAllen Thunder walked-off with a victory for the second time in three nights at Edinburg Stadium, winning 5-4.

Weldon, whom Bobby Brown has entrusted with the closer's role, entered the game in the bottom of the ninth with his team leading 4-2. The righty retired the first man he faced on a fly out to right-field and then lost the strike zone. Weldon walked Nick Mahin, and then threw four straight pitches out of the strike zone to Nathan Tomaszewski. The next batter, Luis Blanco, grounded a base hit through the right side of the infield, scoring Mahin and moving Tomaszewski to third. After Mike Demperio ran for Blanco and stole second, Weldon intentially walked Roberto Rodriguez to load the bases.

Bobby Brown had seen enough. He removed Weldon and called for newly acquired side-winder David Slovak out of the bullpen. Craig Hertler was the first man he faced, and the centerfielder chopped a grounder toward first base, Nichols threw home but Levi Tapia was not standing on home plate and the tying run scored. Mike Goss then closed the door as he looped a base hit over Browne's head at shortstop and sent the Thunder dugout into hysteria.

It was the second multiple-run rally for the Thunder in as many innings. Abilene starter Woods Fines was working on a shutout as he took the hill to begin the eighth inning with 1-0 lead. He struck out Blanco and then walked Rodriguez. With a man on and a man out, Brown called for Scott Vander Weg out of the bullpen. The righty from Colorado - pitching for the third consecutive night - forced Hertler to ground out to second base. McAllen's decision to start the runner from first proved to be crucial as second baseman Reggie Williams lost the opportunity to initiate a double play. The next two batters singled and McAllen snatched a 2-1 lead. Gunner Glad relieved Vander Weg and threw one pitch to get out of further trouble.

Comebacks were abundant on Thursday night in southern Texas and Abilene pieced together a gritty rally in the top of the ninth. Trailing 2-1, Joe Weik sliced a one-out single to right-field, Wilson Batista walked, and Tapia struck out. With the tying run on second and two outs in the ninth, Bryan Fogle fought off a full count pitch and rolled a grounder up the third baseline for an infield base hit. With the bases loaded, rookie Matt Thompson hit for Zach Welch and walked to drive in the tying run. The next batter was Eddie Browne who lobbed a two-run single over second base and suddenly Abilene owned a 4-2 lead.

Lost amid the late inning drama was the work of McAllen starter Brian Murphy. The righty hurled eight innings, allowed an unearned run, walked two, and struck out four batters in a no decision.

Fines tossed 7.1 innings for the Prairie Dogs and gave up only a single run on two hits - the North Carolina native did walk four batters and hit a man. The start was his longest of the season after returning from a three year absence from professional baseball.

The Prairie Dogs will try to even the series when they play the final game on Friday night. The pre-game show starts at 6:55 on 106.9 KLGD.



North American League Stories from June 7, 2012


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