By: Alex Morales
The Diablos headed into Wednesday’s game on a three game losing streak with seven games left in the season and starting pitcher Scott Hodsdon continued his pitching performance as he threw his third complete game as the Diablos won 6-1 at LaGrave Field.
El Paso (35-59) raced out of the gates as second baseman lead off with a bunt single. He stole second and went to third on an error by Fort Worth catcher Kelly Gulledge. Gonzalez was driven in by a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Uriak Marquez to give the Diablos a 1-0 lead after an inning of play.
In the top of the second, third baseman Martin Parra hit an RBI single to make it 2-0. Two batters later Gonzalez came up and reached on an error as Cats’ starting pitcher Nick DeBarr threw the ball away on his throw to first that brought home another Diablos’ runner and the score was 3-0 after two.
Fort Worth (43-51) brought back DeBarr in the top of the fourth as he made it through the third inning without allowing a run, but in the fourth inning El Paso was able to get to him once again. After walking first baseman Javier Brito and Parra, center fielder Kory Drew sent a 1-0 fastball over the left field fence for his first home run of the season and made the score 6-0 after four.
DeBarr finished the night throwing three and a third allowing six runs five earned on six hits. He walked five and had one walk in the loss.
Hodsdon outdueled DeBarr as he kept up his brilliance as he was breezed through the Cats lineup and when he was in trouble he was able to get out of jams without allowing runs.
The only time Fort Worth was able to get to Hodsdon was in the bottom of the eighth inning as first baseman Trent Lockwood hit a single down the third base line that hit of the glove of Parra that scored third baseman Will Calhoun to make the score 6-1.
Hodsdon (5-6) threw a perfect ninth inning to earn his third complete game of the season and give the Diablos a 6-1 victory. Hodsdon went nine innings allowing one run all earned on nine hits. He struck out six and issued two walks in his outing.
Tomorrow is game three of the four-game series as the Diablos will send Reymond Cruz on the mound as they continue their quest for 40 wins on the season. Game time is set for 7:05 pm at LaGrave Field.