Alvaro Rondon With Perfect Night as AirHogs Nip Stockade, 3-1
The Texas AirHogs returned home Friday night, looking to rebound after losing three of four in Wichita. Thanks to six outstanding innings from Tyler Bremer and a perfect 4-4 day from Alvaro Rondon Texas won 3-1. Levi Scott drove in two-runs for the AirHogs and Luis De La Cruz earned his seventh save of the season.
The Texas AirHogs took the lead in the bottom of the first against Salina starter Troy Mannebach. Alvaro Rondon singled to center to start the frame, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and stole third with one down. Levi Scott then grounded out to third, scoring Rondon to make it 1-0.
From there, this was an outstanding pitcher’s duel. Both Mannebach and Texas starter Tyler Bremer kept control of the game, not allowing either side’s offense to generate any kind of rally.
After being held scoreless for the first five innings, the Stockade would finally get on the board in the top of the sixth. With one out, Troy Paris lined the ball to the wall in center field that he legged out for a triple. Kewby Meyer followed with a double that bounced over the wall and the game was tied at one.
An inning later, the AirHogs would retake the lead. Rondon beat out an infield single to start the inning, then stole second and advanced on a wild throw by the catcher. A sacrifice fly by Scott brought him home and it was 2-1 Texas.
The AirHogs got an insurance run in the eighth. Beamer Weems walked to start the inning and moved to second on a ground out. With two down, Rondon delivered his fourth hit of the game, a base hit into right that scored Weems to extend the lead to two.
Tyler Bremer had pitched an outstanding game in his 6-innings, allowing 7-hits and a run while striking out 5. He would earn the no decision however, with Austin Kubitz (1-1) getting the victory with the scoreless seventh-inning. Josh Blanco pitched a scoreless eighth, and Luis De La Cruz struck out two in the ninth to earn his seventh save of the season.
Alvaro Rondon led the Texas offense, going 4-4 with 2-runs and an RBI. He also stole four bases in the game. Levi Scott did not have a hit in the game, but drove home the first two runs for the AirHogs. The Stockade offense was led by Troy Paris and Kewby Meyer who both had two hits in the game. Meyer drove in the team’s lone run.
These two teams have a late morning affair tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 11:05.
By Robert Pannier
