Wednesday, August 01, 2012

DeBarr goes seven strong, helped by eight-run eighth

EL PASO, Texas – Thirteen Grand Prairie AirHogs hitters came to the plate in the top of the eighth inning on Wednesday, as the AirHogs scored eight runs on six hits, three errors and an intentional walk, breaking open the game to beat the El Paso Diablos 16-3 at Cohen Stadium.

After threatening in the first, the AirHogs (41-29) got on the board on two hits, an error and an RBI groundout by James McOwen in the second inning.

They quadrupled their lead in the third, with a single from Keanon Simon to lead off, before one-out hits from Brian Myrow, Andres Rodrigez and Trent Lockwood to knock in three more.

The Diablos battled back against Nick DeBarr (11-4) in the bottom of the third – using five consecutive one-out hits to score three runs. But DeBarr got a key pickoff at second base of Reid Fronk in the midst of the rally to help hold El Paso to three.

That was all El Paso would get, as DeBarr pitched seven innings, allowing eight hits and one walk, striking out one and giving up just the three runs in the third.

Meanwhile, Grand Prairie extended its lead on Andres Rodriguez’s solo home run off former AirHogs pitcher Ramon Garcia (1-3) in the fifth, before adding an unearned run off Drew Graham in the sixth and a sacrifice fly by Chris McMurray against Graham in the seventh – restoring the AirHogs’ four-run lead.

It all came apart for the Diablos an inning later. Two errors began the frame, and Jairo Perez doubled to make it 8-3. Rodriguez singled for another run, and Lockwood doubled home two more to knock out Graham. McMurray singled on the first pitch from Justin Harper to bring in the AirHogs’ 12^th run of the night. A strikeout was a momentary calm for the Diablos, before Jorge Alvarez singled in a run and another error and an infield hit brought in the seventh of the inning and also knocked out Harper. Perez picked up his second RBI of the inning on a groundout before Kyle Cremers finally got out of the inning.

Adam Miller pitched a scoreless eighth inning before the AirHogs picked up their final run in the ninth on a base hit by McOwen. Justin Dowdy then came in and retired the Diablos after a leadoff walk and a single to finish things off.

Notes: McMurray was hit by a pitch in the leg in the ninth inning and departed. He is day-to-day…All nine AirHogs starters scored at least one run, eight had at least one hit and seven had at least one RBI…Four AirHogs had at least three hits...El Paso did not unintentionally walk anyone until the ninth…Seven different Diablos had hits…El Paso only made two outs to the outfield, with four strikeouts, two lineouts and 15 groundouts, including two double plays.

The 2011 American Association Champion Grand Prairie AirHogs conclude their  three-game series against the El Paso Diablos on Thursday, August 2, at 8:05 p.m. Central Time. The next home game at QuikTrip Park is Friday, August 3, at 7:05 p.m. against the Laredo Lemurs. That night will feature a team card set giveaway, sponsored by Parkland Community Health Plan. All games are aired live and for free on Ustream by clicking on the link on the AirHogs’ home page or visiting http://www.ustream.tv/channel/airhogs-baseball with selected contests aired on Time Warner Cable’s Texas Channel. For information on tickets, promotions, advertising, and other opportunities with the AirHogs, check out the Web site at www.airhogsbaseball.com, or call the QuikTrip Park office at (972) 504-9383.