AA Chicago Dogs

Strong Start from Root Not Enough as Dogs Lose 3-1

Published on July 17, 2018 under American Association (AA)
Chicago Dogs News Release


Grand Prairie, Texas. - Chicago was stymied by an AriHogs starter for a third straight game as the Dogs spoiled a strong outing from Connor Root in a 3-1 loss to Texas Tuesday night at AirHogs Stadium.

Texas starter Sun Jianzeng pitched six innings for the AirHogs, allowing only one run on eight hits for his first win of the year. Texas starters have pitched to a 2.76 earned run average in 16 and one-third innings against Chicago through the first three games of a four-game set between the two teams.

On a night in which the Dogs bullpen entered taxed, Root gave Chicago seven solid innings, allowing three runs, with only one of the runs being earned, on nine hits. Root threw 110 pitches, but took a tough luck loss, his league-leading eighth, and his fifth in a row.

The Dogs scored first Tuesday just four pitches into the game. Kenny Wilson led off the top of the first inning with a triple, and was then plated on an Edwin Arroyo sacrifice fly.

The AirHogs would capture the lead with a two-spot in the bottom of the fourth inning on the strength of three hits and one costly error. With a runner at second base and two outs, Texas right fielder Stewart Ijames hit a slow ground ball to Arroyo at second base. Arroyo fielded the ball, but didn't throw to first, instead opting to attempt to throw Chu Fujia out at the plate. The throw from Arroyo went wide of home plate, however, allowing Fujia to score the tying run. One batter later Chen Junpeng delivered an RBI single to push the AirHogs in front.

Texas would tack on a run of insurance on another Junpeng RBI single in the bottom of the eighth, before AirHogs closer Carlos Contreras worked a one-two-three ninth inning for his seventh save of the year.

The Dogs hit into three doubles plays in the game, and produced only one hit through their final four innings at the plate.

Chicago falls to 21-35 on the year with the loss, while Texas moves to 16-40 with the victory. The two teams will conclude their four-game series on Wednesday night.

First pitch from AirHogs Stadium is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The game will be broadcast at www.thechicagodogs.com/broadcasts/ with the Crowne Plaza Pregame Show beginning at 6:45 p.m.

Follow the team on social media at @TheChicagoDogs on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. For more information, visit TheChicagoDogs.com.

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