Strong pitching, Butler's bat sends Sox over Airhogs 3-2

Published on July 23, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Amarillo ThunderHeads News Release


AMARILLO, TX - The Amarillo Sox got great pitching from starter Justin Garcia and their bullpen while Kevin Butler delievered a two-out, two-run single in the eighth to give the Sox the lead which held over the Grand Prairie Airhogs 3-2 on Saturday night in front of 3,142 fans at the Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium.

Sox reliever Chad Povich (4-2) got the win, pitching a perfect eighth inning. Airhogs reliever Bo Schultz (2-3) got the loss, allowing two eighth inning runs from the Sox to relinquish the lead. Amarillo reliever Cody Evans got his first save, striking out the side in the ninth.

The Airhogs got on the board first in the third inning as Bryan Frichter hit a solo homerun over the highest fence in center field for a 1-0 Grand Prairie lead.

Amarillo tied the game in the fifth inning as Alex Chavez led off with a hit-by-pitch. Pinch runner Kevin Butler went to third on a Jason White single and scored on a Fehlandt Lentini sacrifice fly for a 1-1 score.

Grand Prairie took the lead again in the seventh as Guillermo Martinez singled, went to second on a groundout and scored on a David Espinosa RBI single for a 2-1 Airhogs lead.

The Sox took the lead in the eighth. Cyle Hankerd and Lee Cruz led off with singled, while Van Pope hit a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third. Following a Tim Alberts intentional walk, Butler singled with two outs to score Hankerd and Cruz for a 3-2 Amarillo lead.

Evans came in for the ninth and struck out Martinez, Tyler Henley and Espinosa to close out the game with the Sox victorious 3-2.

With the win, the Sox improve to 31-35 while the Airhogs fall to 42-23. Sunday, Amarillo will take on Grand Prairie for the final game of a three-game set at 6:05pm. The game can be heard by visiting www.kgncfm.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.

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