Grand Prairie AirHogs and Fort Worth Cats split Tuesday double header

by PegNews wire

The Grand Prairie AirHogs split a doubleheader with the Fort Worth Cats on Tuesday. They won the second game 6-5 after losing the first 3-1. The two playoff-bound teams are now tied for first place in the Southern Division with three games to play.

In game two, with the bases loaded in the top of the second, Grand Prairie went to work. Cameron McGuire grounded to the third baseman Jake Gautreau, who threw to second in hopes of inducing the inning-ending double play. Instead, Marco Garza fumbled the ball, allowing Maldonado to score from third. Noel Trevino followed suit with a sacrifice fly to right field, plating J.B. Tucker from third to give the AirHogs the 2-0 lead.

Fort Worth scored four runs in the bottom of the third to take the 4-2 lead. Ed Montague hit a two-run blast, just inside the foul pole down the right-field line, to tie the game up at 2-2. With runners on second and third, Charles Carter came up with a two-RBI double to give the Cats their first lead.

Grand Prairie used another fielding error by Marco Garza to cut their deficit to 4-3. On a grounder fielded by the pitcher Tim Haines, he would turn and throw to second for the force out. However, Garza made a wild toss to first on the double-play attempt, allowing J.B. Tucker to score.

The AirHogs took a 6-4 lead in the top of the sixth thanks to a timely pinch-hit from Brandon Carter. With the bases loaded, Carter clubbed a two-RBI single through the right side of the infield to put G.P. up 5-4. Trevino came up afterward and came up with his second RBI, on a single through the right side, giving the AirHogs the two-run cushion.

Fort Worth cut the AirHogs lead to 6-5 in the bottom of the sixth. With the bases loaded and the closer James Morrison on the mound, a wild pitch that got past Trevino allowed Allen to come in and score. However, G.P. retired the next two batters to hold their one-run lead.

AJ Jenkins started for Grand Prairie and got the no-decision. He lasted three innings, surrendering four runs, all earned, on four hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Chris Homer (1-2) earned the victory pitching one scoreless inning with a strikeout. Morrison notched his 18th save, pitching 1.2 scoreless innings with one strikeout.

Ryan Riddle started for Fort Worth and got the no-decision. He lasted just two innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on two hits with one walk and no strikeouts. Tim Haines (5-6) was the losing pitcher, lasting 3.1 innings and allowing three runs with three walks and three strikeouts.

In the first game of the doubleheader, Jake Gautreau drove a solo shot to right field in the bottom of the second, giving Fort Worth the 1-0 lead.

The Cats took the 2-0 advantage in the bottom of the third. Osiel Flores reached on a walk and advanced to second on a bunt for a single by Brian Fryer. On a pick-off attempt back to second base, Jeff Jamnik made an errant throw allowing Flores to reach third. He would score on the sacrifice fly for Ed Montague.

Grand Prairie cut the Cats lead to 2-1 in the top of the sixth. With two away and runners on the corners, Billy Munoz blooped an RBI single into short center field.

Pat O'Sullivan crushed a solo homerun to left-center, padding the Cats lead at 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Jeff Jamnik (1-2) started for the AirHogs and earned the hard-luck loss. He went six strong innings, surrendering three runs, two earned, on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks.

Pedro Flores (13-3) started for Fort Worth as was the winning hurler. He lasted 5.1 innings, surrendering just one run, it was earned, on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Jon Hunton struck-out the side in a perfect ninth inning, earning his 22nd save.

Grand Prairie will wrap up the regular-season with a three-game road trip against the Pensacola Pelicans that begins on Thursday. Firstpitch is set for 6:35 PM CT.

Source: Grand Prairie AirHogs