Rodriguez Tosses Eight-Inning Gem

Published on June 1, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Shreveport-Bossier Captains News Release


SHREVEPORT, LA.---Osvaldo Rodriguez (1-1) was one of the Captains' most clutch performers last season, going 11-3 and helping to win Shreveport-Bossier their first American Association title. This year it had been a different story for the right handed hurler from the Dominican Republic, as he hadn't recorded a win in his first four starts of the season.

That all changed at Fair Grounds Field on Wednesday night, as Rodriguez turned in the Captains' most dominant pitching performance to date, allowing just one hit, no runs and two base runners through eight innings as Shreveport-Bossier beat El Paso 3-2.

Rodriguez retired 19 straight from right after Chad Gabriel singled with two outs in the first inning until Manuel Mejia drew a lead off walk in the eighth inning. He retired nine on strike outs, 11 on ground outs, one foul out and just one outfield fly over eight innings.

The Captains took a 2-0 lead after three off El Paso starter Adam Rowe (0-1). Joe Urtuzuastegui, who got the start at third base, doubled to lead off the inning. It was the first of a 3-for-3 night for Urtuzuastegui. Following a strike out and a Robert Perry single, Brian Peterson would score Urtuzuastegui on a ground ball to short. Bryan Sabatella, who continued his terrific hitting in the series, picked up an RBI single. The inning would end when Sabatella was caught stealing second.

Shreveport-Bossier added a run in the sixth on a Bryan Fricther RBI single, which scored Sabatella who had doubled earlier in the frame.

Closer Dan Griffin relieved Rodriguez to start the ninth and, after striking out pinch hitter Stephen Douglas, allowed a single to Kory Drew, walked Albenis Machado, and then gave up an RBI single to Antoin Gray. Chad Gabriel, who came into the game hitting .679 against Captains pitching on the season, then hit a slow roller to second baseman Mike Provencher who threw Gabriel out but Machado came in to score the second run of the inning. With the tying run on second, Griffin would get Nichols looking to end the game and pick up his sixth save of the year.

The Captains improved to 12-8, four games over .500 for the first time on the year. Their three-game win streak is a season high. The Captains and Diablos are back in action Thursday, June 2 as Aaron Cunningham takes on El Paso's Wardell Starling on Willis-Knighton Wednesday. All kids eat free with paid admission. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. Gates open at 6:05.

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American Association Stories from June 1, 2011


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