Sports stats



Thunder Earn Split

July 22, 2012 - North American League (NAmL)
Abilene Prairie Dogs News Release


ABILENE, TX - As Kyle Nichols smoked a ninth inning, game-tying double into the gap in left-centerfield, it seemed as though the Dogs would snatch another breath-stopping victory at home. However, Abilene stranded the winning run on third base, and McAllen scored a tenth inning run off Jeremy Tietze, beating the Dogs 8-7.

In another wild contest at Walt Driggers' Field, Abilene overcame three deficits only to lose the second extra inning game of a week-long, six game series with McAllen.

Adam Rowe returned to the Dogs rotation and allowed a first inning homer to Nelson Teilon, a three run shot that had the Thunder out to a 3-0 lead. After the first, the Dogs' ace left-hander pitched 5/13 scoreless innings before departing with the lead and one out in the top of the seventh.

Joe Weik blasted his first home run since July 2, a two-run long ball to bring the Dogs to within a run in the bottom of the second inning.

Still trailing 3-2, Abilene pieced together a two-run bottom of the fifth off Thunder starter Alexei Perez. Jason Martin highlighted the frame with an R.B.I. double to right field that gave Abilene their first lead, 4-3.

But the Thunder played from ahead for most of the game. Matt Redding singled off of Rowe to put the tying run aboard with no outs in the seventh. After a sacrifice bunt, Bobby Brown lifted his ace and called for lefty Kevin Gelinas. Craig Hertler - who collected multiple hits in each of the six games in the series - greeted the rookie with a single to left field. With one out and two runners on, Yasser Gomez bounced a grounder back to Gelinas who sailed the throw over Kyle Nichols' head a first base, allowing both runners to score and the Thunder to snatch a 5-4 lead. Scott Vander Weg then relieved Gelinas and retired both Teilon and Miguel Alfonzo to suffocate the remainder of the threat.

But it was not easy for the Thunder to shake Abilene on Sunday night, and the Dogs responded again in the bottom of the seventh. Martin chopped an infield single to start the frame against Kurt Houck. Adam De La Garza then worked a walk to put runners at first and second. After Wilson Batista and Nichols each flied out, Geraldo Valentin bounced a single through the middle, tying the game at five. Yunier Colon then walked Weik but forced Chris Caves to ground to shortstop to leave the bases loaded.

After suffering the loss in an extra inning defeat on Friday, Vander Weg answered the bell in a big way on Sunday night. The righty returned to the hill in the top of the eighth and loaded the bases before getting Hurtler to pop out to third and stymie the threat. Vander Weg tossed 11/3 of scoreless relief and stranded four base runners.

After the Dogs went in order in the bottom of the eighth inning, Ray Silva took over on the hill in the ninth. Alfonzo broke the tie with a one out, run-scoring single to give the Thunder a 6-5 advantage. McAllen would score again in the ninth and lead 7-5 after 81/2 innings.

Chad Robinson entered in the bottom of the ninth in search of his ninth save of the year, but allowed the first two runners to reach in front of Nichols. The powerful righty quickly launched a game-tying double into left-center, but the Dogs stranded the winning run on third after Weik fanned and Danny Gonzalez flied to right.

Jeremy Tietze pitched the top of the tenth and gave up an R.B.I. single to Teilon, his fourth R.B.I. of the night, to provide the final margin.

Abilene hits the road on Monday for the beginning of an eight-game series with Colts. Hear the game on 106.9 KLGD or on the internet at abileneprairiedogs.com beginning with the First Financial Pregame Show at 6:55.

• Discuss this story on the North American League message board...

North American League Stories from July 22, 2012


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 Abilene Prairie Dogs Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central