Sunday, July 20, 1997

Aces take first game of twin-bill

ALEXANDRIA, La. - Kyle Shade singled home the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning Saturday as the Alexandria Aces took a 3-2 win over the Abilene Prairie Dogs in the first game of a doubleheader at Bringhurst Field.

Shade's single spoiled a strong outing from Abilene starter Royal Thomas (2-3), who went the distance and scattered seven hits in 71/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked one, retiring the first nine batters he faced in the game. It was Thomas' first complete game and only second outing in more than a month because of an arm injury.

Javier DeJesus got the win for the Aces, working eight innings and giving up six hits, striking out seven and walking only one.

Manny Gagliano had given the Prairie Dogs a 2-0 lead with a two-run home run in the top of the third inning.

The Aces tied it in the bottom of the fourth. Frank Turco singled, but was forced out at second base on a grounder by Marvin Cole. The throw to first trying to complete a double play got away, allowing Cole to reach second base. John O'Brien singled home one run, and scored on an error in the outfield on a single by Wil Delafield.

In the eighth, Turco singled and reached second on a sacrifice bunt by Cole. Then Shade stroked a line drive into right-center field to bring home Turco with the winning run.

Gagliano was 2 for 4 with two RBI for Abilene, which slipped to 4-6.

For the Aces (7-3), O'Brien was 2 for 3 and Turco was 2 for 4.