‘Hogs fall to Pels, 5-4
Pensacola overcame an early three run deficit and defeated the Grand Prairie AirHogs, 5-4, Friday night at QuikTrip Park. It was Grand Prairie’s third straight loss but the AirHogs (15-11) remain in first play in the Southern Division.
The AirHogs jumped on Pensacola starter Jared Gothreaux for three runs in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs Greg Porter doubled to left center and came around on Juan Camacho’s single up the middle.
Aaron Garza then followed with a two-run home run to left to make it 3-0. It was Garza’s second homer of the season.
Grand Prairie starter Ryne Tacker pitched out of jams in the first and second innings but couldn’t overcome an error in the fifth inning that opened the gates a Pensacola five-run outburst. Adolfo Gonzales led with a walk and Kyle Brown followed with a hard hit ball to Camacho at first.
The ball skipped under Camacho’s glove and was ruled a hit but later changed to an error. Dallas Christison was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Francisco Leandro came through with a two-run single.
Chase Porch’s fielder’s choice scored another run and back-to-back RBI singles by Javier Brito and Lou Palmisano made it 5-3.
In the meantime Gothreaux settled down and kept the AirHogs at bay until Camacho’s RBI single made it 5-4. Joe Spiers had walked and stolen second before Camacho’s hit.
Tacker settled down, too, after the fifth and finished with seven innings pitched. He allowed the five runs – all unearned – and struck out six. James Morrison and Geivy Garcia pitched well in relief for the AirHogs.
Ron Hill came on in the bottom of the ninth for the Pelicans and retired the side to earn the save.
The two teams will play the second game of their three-game series Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m.
