Rodriguez Homers Twice Once Again as Captains Roll 10-1 Over Cats

August 20, 2011 - American Association (AA)
Shreveport-Bossier Captains News Release


SHREVEPORT, La.---For the second time in less than two weeks against Ft. Worth, Andres Rodriguez unleashed two homers in a game as the Captains defeated the Cats 10-1 at Fair Grounds Field Saturday night. Rodriguez was 2-for-4 with the two long balls and five RBIs. The corner infielder has blasted a team-high 15 homers this season and has an astounding six homers and 18 RBIs in his last 10 games.

Rodriguez hit two at home against Cats starter Phillip Bartleski back on Aug. 10. Bartleski (L, 4-3) was on the hill again tonight and gave up Rodriguez's first blast.

Chad Gabriel had a four-hit night and extended his hitting streak to 12 games. It was his 10th multiple-hit game in 14 with the Captains. The Captains also got another quality start from rookie hurler Josh Strawn (3-2), who allowed just one run on six hits in 6.2 innings.

Papi's first homer was a solo shot off Bartleski in the second which put Shreveport-Bossier on the board 1-0. Bartleski has allowed just five home runs in 68 innings this year, but three of them have come off the bat of Rodriguez.

The Captains sent nine men to the plate in the third, scoring three times and extending their lead to 4-0. Jonathan Johnson, who reached base three of four times, walked to lead off the inning and stole second. Mike Provencher's base hit would score Johnson to make it 2-0. Robert Perry then walked and Bryan Sabatella singled. With one out and the bases loaded, Gabriel hit a two-run single to put Shreveport-Bossier up four.

Ft. Worth scored their only run of the night in the sixth when Trent Lockwood scored Marcos Rodriguez with a base hit.

Johnson again walked to start the sixth and took second and third base on wild pitches from Cats reliever T.J. Bozeman. Ft. Worth threw four wild pitches in the game. Johnson would score on Perry's base hit. Provencher, who had walked earlier in the frame, came home on Palmer Karr Jr.'s sacrifice fly. Rodriguez would plate Perry with another sac fly, making it 7-1.

Shreveport-Bossier put the game out of reach in the eighth when Rodriguez struck again with a three-run homer to left off Cats third baseman/pitcher Will Calhoun.

Captains relievers Jameson Maj, Mark Haynes and Alex Cowart combined to throw 2.1 scoreless innings. Cowart came on in the ninth and allowed a leadoff double to John Allen. With one out and Allen at third, Cowart's pitch got past catcher Brian Peterson but caromed back to him. Peterson threw to Cowart to catch Allen stealing home for the second out. Johnson capped a tremendous defensive night with a lunging stop of Cory Morales groundball for the 6-3 assist to end the game.

Johnson also provided the top defensive play of the night in the eighth when he made a diving play on Lockwood's ground ball behind second base, flipped the ball from his glove to Provencher at second and then on to first for a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play.

Captains second baseman Provencher was 1-for-4 with two runs and a stolen base. He has now hit safely in 11 straight games. Cats first baseman Lockwood was 2-for-4 with an RBI in the loss. The Captains and Cats are now tied for second place in the American Association South Division with matching 42-48 records.

With Wichita winning, the Captains still trail by 7.5 games in the wild card race with 10 to play. Shreveport-Bossier sends Alex Kaminsky (6-2, 5.78) to the hill against Ft. Worth's Wade Mackey (7-4, 4.36) in game three of four Sunday night at 6:05 p.m. Gates open at 5:05 for Pepsi Presents: Bark at the Park where fans can bring their dogs to the game as long as they are leashed.

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.



American Association Stories from August 20, 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