Six Unearned Runs Doom Fort Worth, Lose Game Two
September 9, 2012 - North American League (NAmL)
Fort Worth Cats News Release
FORT WORTH - - Three errors and a passed ball by the Fort Worth defense caused six Edinburg runs in game two of the United League championship series. Those miscues would make all the difference as the Cats lost in the final game at LaGrave Field this year, 11-5.
Cats pitcher Blake Nation was given the nod to start in a somewhat surprise move by manager Curtis Wilkerson. Steven Barnes was originally set to make his first postseason start, but Nation was penciled in late. The big right hander threw on short days rest, and it showed as he struggled to even finish the second inning.
Fort Worth scored first to begin the game despite not having a hit until the fourth inning. Right fielder Chuck Caufield advanced to first after he was hit, then quickly stole second. Caufield would later score on a fielder's choice and throwing error.
Edinburg scored four runs on as six consecutive batters reached base because of a walk and five hits in the second inning. Nation struggled with the command of his breaking ball and would not make it out of the inning. Reliever Kane Holbrooks would quickly earn a groundout to stop the bleeding.
The Roadrunners would tack on three more runs, all of them being unearned, after two errors extended the third inning.
Despite the sloppy play of the infield and the struggles on the mound, the Cats kept fighting back at the plate in attempting to come back. In the seventh inning, a double by Caufield scored two runs. He would later score off of an error to cut the Edinburg lead to just 8-5. With the bases loaded and two out, catcher Derek Marshall struck out swinging to stop the momentum.
With reliever Brandon Wilkerson on the mound, the Roadrunners would continue the domination by scoring three runs because of an error and passed ball. All three of those runs were also unearned.
The Cats have dug themselves quite a hole as the remainder of the series shifts to Edinburg. Fort Worth must win all three games to be crowned United League champion. Game three is Sunday evening as starter Steven Barnes attempts to get the Cats back on track.
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North American League Stories from September 9, 2012
- Roadrunners Crowned 2012 Champions - Edinburg Roadrunners
- Six Unearned Runs Doom Fort Worth, Lose Game Two - Fort Worth Cats
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