Prairie Dogs Thumped in Harlingen

June 1, 2012 - North American League (NAmL)
Abilene Prairie Dogs News Release


HARLINGEN, TX - As Ben Tootle walked off the mound after a nifty bottom of the third inning in which he retired the Whitewings in order, it appeared as though he had settled into his second start of the season. However, the righty from Alabama struggled with his command again in the fourth inning, allowing seven runs in the frame and registering only a single out. An hour-and-a-half later, Nick Ochoa grounded out to shortstop, bringing to an end a 12-2 Prairie Dog's loss.

Tootle danced around both the scalding southern Texas heat and a slew of early base runners at Harlingen Stadium on Thursday night. He allowed only one run after loading the bases with no outs in the first and held the Whitewings off the board after filling the bags with two out in the second frame. However, the fourth was the inning that did in the 6'1" right-hander. After getting Fidel Hernandez to pop out to begin the frame, the next seven batters reached base on the combination of four hits and three walks. When Eric Schaler finally brought the fourth inning to an end, the Whitewings had sent ten men to the plate, three of the them walked, six collected hits, and seven scored to give Rio Grande Valley an 8-0 lead.

The White Wings used three more free passes to tack on two more runs between the fifth and sixth innings.

On the other side, Luis Chirinos handled the Abilene lineup masterfully. The righty lasted seven innings and gave up four hits - three from Jason Martin - and struck out seven batters on the way to his first victory of the year.

Leujum Beroso led the way for the Whitewings. The second basemen went 3-4 with a walk, a run scored, and two R.B.I.

The Prairie Dogs did not score until Martin crossed the plate on a wild pitch in the seventh. Abilene tallied their final run on Joe Weik's third homer of the year - a solo shot in the ninth.

The Prairie Dogs continue the three game series with a 7:05 first pitch in Harlingen on Friday night. Hear the game beginning with the pre-game show at 6:55 on 106.9 KLGD.



North American League Stories from June 1, 2012


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