This AirHogs' Monthly Re-cap was written by Matt Loving

Several new additions... could make all the difference in the second half. Losing a veteran and an All-Star could have sent the team into rebuilding mode but Mike Conroy and Chad Gabriel have stepped up to keep the AirHogs alive.

It’s not just the new hands either.... Line-up fixture Aaron Garza reached 20 stolen bases before July and Cesar Nicolas, after finally coming down to earth from his hot start, keeps knocking in runs to stay at the top of the list in RBIs.

But it’s not all roses.... With drastic changes to the infield, Grand Prairie leads the league in errors for June, making the need for an inning-eating starter like Pat Mahomes all the more prevalent. Although his record will not convince many at 1-3, his ability to keep his team in the game might be a trademark. Consistently going eight deep takes a lot of pressure off the bullpen, and Luke Prihoda’s 0.86 ERA in June coupled with James Morrison’s six saves have made it possible to come out of a dangerous situation two games above .500 for this month.

QuikTrip Park is still earning its reputation as a grave yard... of a ballpark with teams from around the league hitting as many as 40 points less in Grand Prairie. The AirHogs are not immune. Just nine homeruns this year at home stands well below the league average, forcing the team to adapt its style. Traditional small ball and speed on the bases has become a necessity as well as an identity
 

With Fort Worth clinching the first half early...the race for the final playoff spot might be a two lane contest. Pensacola matches up very evenly with Grand Prairie which resulted in a current season series split at 8-8 and overall tie for second place in the South. The Pelicans out hit the Hogs’ .302 to .269 heads up but scored less runs. Kyle Middleton has absolutely had the AirHogs number posting a 0.45 ERA in three games against Grand Prairie, while the AirHogs have only managed a best 4.41 from Jose Cordero.
 

It may come down to who gets hot at the right time... The AirHogs need to solidify their lineup and become more consistent to achieve that heat and duplicate last year’s success-- but they have the tools to do so. Newcomer Javier Brito, fresh from Triple-A Tuscon, might be the missing link. A .283 average could translate well and give them the over the top boost they need.