AirHogs snap losing streak with 7-1 win over Diablos
The ‘Hogs found a much needed win against the last place El Paso Diablos Tuesday night by the score of 7-1, snapping their franchise record five-game losing streak.
A bit of managerial magic seemed to do the trick, as field manager Pete Incaviglia dropped Aaron Garza from the two-hole to seventh leading to a two run homer in the bottom of the second. Garza found his stride after an unproductive streak at the top of the order.
Chad Gabriel, who moved to the second spot in place of Garza, roped a double into the right center gap in the bottom of the eighth, scoring Robert Perry and adding a little production to the two-hole. A late inning rally scored three more in the bottom of the ninth off two singles.
The deep shot was all the AirHogs needed to secure the victory, but they added one more when Greg Porter drew a walk in the bottom of the sixth with the bases loaded scoring Grand Prairie newcomer Chris Caves from third.
El Paso was able to manage one in the top of the fourth off an error from shortstop David Espinosa.
Team batting leaders Espinosa and Porter managed three hits between both players on the night, two coming from Espinosa and one from Porter.
Daniel Schmidt made his first start for the AirHogs this season, throwing five innings, and allowing only one run on seven hits.
Also in his debut, Caves went 1-3 and was hit by a pitch.
The AirHogs return to QuikTrip Park Wednesday looking to take the series from El Paso and gain ground on the division-leading Shreveport-Bossier Captains, who remain five games ahead of the ‘Hogs.
First pitch on Wednesday is at 11:05 a.m., and gates open at 10 a.m. for “Summer Camp Day.”
