Sox Almost Blow Lead, Sweep Diablos 9-8

Published on June 15, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Amarillo ThunderHeads News Release


AMARILLO, TX - The Amarillo Sox had a three-run lead in the ninth inning and allowed two runs in the ninth, but they were able to squeak out the victory 9-8 against the El Paso Diablos on Wednesday night in front of 2,593 fans at the Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium.

Sox starter Matt Elliott (4-1) got the win, allowing five runs on seven hits in one out over six innings. Diablos starter Scott Hodsdon (0-1) got the loss, allowing six runs off eight hits in four plus innings. Amarillo closer Gary Perinar got his third save in as many chances, retiring the last two batters via strikeouts. Jason White went 3-4 with two doubles, an RBI and a run in the effort.

El Paso took a first inning lead as Stephen Douglas walked, went to second on an Albenis Machado single. Following an Antoin Gray flyout to advance the runners to second and third, Kyle Nichols singled to center field to score both baserunners for a two-run lead. Amarillo cut the lead in half as Van Pope hit a solo homerun in the second, his fourth for a 2-1 Diablos lead.

The Diablos got back on the board in the fifth inning as Martin Parra singled, reached second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a Douglas double. Following a Machado groundout, Gray singled to score Douglas from third for a three-run advantage.

In the fifth, Sox first baseman Chris Nash hit a solo homerun to leadoff, while Benji Johnson singled and went to third on a Jason White double. Fehlandt Lentini followed with a triple to the right-center field gap to score both runners and tie the game. Adam De La Garza followed with an RBI single to give the Sox the lead. Following a pitching change and a Cyle Hankerd single, Tim Alberts doubled to left field to score both baserunners for a 7-4 Amarillo advantage.

Johnson and White hit back-to-back doubles in the sixth to extend the lead to four. El Paso score twice in the seventh inning as Cory Drew walked, went to third on an error and scored on a Douglas groundout. Machado followed with a single and would later score on a Chad Gabriel RBI single for an 8-6 score.

Lee Cruz singled in the seventh, went to second on a wild pitch, stole third and scored on an error for a three-run lead.

The Diablos scored two runs off reliever Pat Overholt in the ninth, Perinar struck out Drew with the bases loaded to end the game with the Sox victorious 9-8.

With the win, the Sox improve to 14-17 while the Diablos fall to 9-23. Thursday, Amarillo will welcome in the Wichita Wingnuts for the opening game of a four-game set at 7:05pm with the Aqua One Pre-Game Show set to begin at 6:50pm. The game can be heard by visiting www.amarillosox.com via Ustream. Game time is tentative and is subject to blackout.

Season tickets are available for purchase in-person by visiting the Sox Front Offices at 801 S. Polk or over the phone by calling (806) 242-4653. For more information on tickets, game times and schedules, promotions, marketing opportunities, and everything else Sox, visit the "Official Website of the Amarillo Sox" at www.amarillosox.com.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Association Stories from June 15, 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