Grand Prairie AirHogs 7, Fort Worth Cats 3

by PegNews wire

The Grand Prairie AirHogs clinched a berth in the 2008 American Association Championship on Friday night with a 7-3 over the Fort Worth Cats. They win the best-of-five series 3-1 and will play the Sioux Falls Canaries in the Championship.

Grand Prairie jumped out to the lead their very first time at the plate. Billy Munoz torched a two-run blast to right field, his second of the postseason, to give Grand Prairie the 2-0 lead.

Nelson Teilon answered for Fort Worth in the top of the second. He blasted a solo shot to left field, cutting the Cats deficit to 2-1.

The AirHogs extended their advantage to 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth .Drew Holder led off with a double off the wall in left center. He would score on a sacrifice fly to right field by Edwin Maldonado.

J.B. Tucker smashed a homerun down the left field line in the bottom of the fourth, extending the AirHogs advantage to 4-1.

Fort Worth added a run in the top of the seventh. With runners on first and second, Charles Carter blooped an RBI single just inside the chalk down the right-field line. Geivy Garcia came into the game for Grand Prairie and struck out Paul Bartolucci to end the inning with runners on second and third.

In the bottom of the seventh, Grand Prairie put the game away. With two outs, Drew Holder ripped a two-RBI double down the left field line to plate Espinosa and Carter. Billy Munoz followed suit with an RBI single down the first-base line, giving Grand Prairie the 7-2 advantage.

Justin Garcia started for Grand Prairie and earns the no decision. He went 4.1 innings, allowing one run, it was earned, on one hit with one walk and one strikeout. Geivy Garcia (3-0) earned the victory. He threw one inning, allowing one hit with no runs and two strikeouts. James Morrison pitched the final two innings, allowing one run on three hits.

Pedro Flores (0-1) started for Fort Worth and earns the loss. He lasted five innings, surrendering four runs, all earned, on five hits with one walk and two strikeouts.

Grand Prairie opens the 2008 American Association Championship at home on Monday night. First pitch is set for 7:05 PM. Game 1 & 2 will be held at QuikTrip Park.

Source: Grand Prairie AirHogs