Sports stats



Sox notch their first win at home in a wild affair

May 24, 2013 - American Association (AA)
Amarillo ThunderHeads News Release


AMARILLO, TX - A pitching duel turned into a high-scoring game, ends up a win for the Sox over the Airhogs, 10-7 at Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium. The ballpark hosted 2,146 fans in a game that lasted one minute over three hours. Matt Larkins, who pitched into the eighth, earned his second win of the season.

Amarillo started the second game of the series sluggish on the offensive side, reaching second base just once through the first five innings. The first run was scored by Grand Prairie in the fourth inning when Andres Rodriguez went deep down the left field line. And then in the sixth, Yasutsugu Nishimoto led off with a controversial walk and would score two batters later off a Brandon Pinckney single, making it 2-0.

The Sox came right back in the bottom of the inning with consecutive doubles from Chris Valencia, Cory Patton, and David Peralta to tie the game. It was an out later and Joe Weik drove in Peralta to give the Sox a 3-2 lead. Two batters later when Trey Ford's two run homer left the ballpark, the score was 5-2 going into the seventh. Joe Anthonsen walked to start the bottom of the seventh and would score on Peralta's second RBI of the game, and eleventh of the season. The score after seven, was 6-2.

On another questionable balls and strikes call, Nishimoto walked with two out in the top of the eighth and scored on the next play; Keanon Simon's RBI double. More Sox insurance runs would be tacked in the bottom half of the inning as Ford and Anthonsen drove in runs, followed by Patton's two-RBI double to give Amarillo a 10-3 lead going into the last inning.

Sox manager, Bobby Brown called on his designated hitter, Patton to close out the ninth but he would run into trouble. An unfortunate bounce gave Juan Richardson third base, and a triple with one out. Aaron King drove him in with a single and the next batter walked, issuing a Bobby Brown visit with the umpire which got him thrown out for the second time at home this season.

Kenny Held came up next and singled to left but Peralta error allowed both runners and Held to all score, making it an interesting 10-7 game with one out. Joe Staley pinch hit for Nishimoto and got on with an infield single, followed by a successful push bunt by Simon. With two on, Pinckney flied out to center, so the pinch runner, Stephen Malcom tagged from second to third and on appeal, and the umpire's "safe" ruling caused uproar from the crowd. Patton, now facing his ninth batter of the inning, walked Brian Myrow to load the bases. Stand-in manager and Sox hitting coach, Ed Campaniello pulled Patton with the bases loaded to put in right hander Corey Madden. Madden would go to a full count before striking out Rodriguez, ending the game. Rodriguez represented the Airhogs' go-ahead run.

Matt Larkins (W, 2-0) pitched a crowd-approving seven and two-thirds innings, giving up three runs on four hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Jared Mortensen (L, 0-2) went five and a third, allowing four runs on six hits while walking one and striking out five.

Grand Prairie's first relief pitcher, Derrick Miramontes pitched part of the sixth and seventh innings and allowed two runs on two hits with one walk. Drew Gagnier came in and threw an inning and a third and gave up four runs on five hits while walking one and striking out one. Jacob Cunningham recorded one out in the bottom of the eighth.

Erik Draxton was the Sox first reliever, recording one out in the eighth once Larkins took his exit. Cory Patton faced nine batters in the ninth, recorded two outs, and gave up four runs on five hits with two walks. Corey Madden (S, 1) faced the final batter of the game and earns his first save of the year.

With the win, the Sox go to 4-5 while the Airhogs fall to 1-7 on the season at the bottom of the south division. Friday, the Sox host Grand Prairie in the grudge match of the three-game series. The game is set to begin at 7:05pm with the Aqua One Pre-Game Show at 6:55pm on Ustream via www.amarillosox.com. 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.

• Discuss this story on the American Association message board...

American Association Stories from May 24, 2013


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.

Other Recent Amarillo ThunderHeads Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central