Pat Mahomes pitched eight strong innings giving up only four hits, three runs, one walk and striking out two but two long balls proved to be the difference in the game as the AirHogs fell 3-2 to the Diablos.
The Diablos got in the run column first in the second inning from a Edwin Maldonado solo home run.
The AirHogs answered right back in the bottom half of the frame that got started with a two out single from Mike Conroy. He stole second and advanced to third on the throw before Drew Holder reached first by way of a walk.
Holder was then caught in a run down while trying to steal second but was able to buy enough time to allow Conroy to score and tie the game 1-1 before being tagged out to end the inning.
In the fourth, Pat Mahomes gave up his second home run of the game, a solo shot to Jorge Alvarez in nearly the exact same spot as Maldonado’s round tripper to give the Diablos a 2-1 advantage.
Grand Prairie was able to tie the game again in the sixth when Derek Nicholson and Cesar Nicolas were issued back to back free passes.
Chad Gabriel then looped a single just passed the outstretched shortstop to load the bases. Brandon Carter walked on four pitches to bring home a run and tie the game at two.
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J.B. Tucker grounded out to end the threat and that would prove to be the final runs the AirHogs would score in the game.
El Paso scored the go ahead run in the eight when Eddie Rodriguez reached base on an error by Mahomes. He was then lifted for a pinch runner, David Washington.
Washington then stole second and advanced to third on the throw. With the infield drawn in Kennard Bibbs lifted a sac fly to left field to give the Diablos a 3-2 lead.
The AirHogs would threaten again in the ninth getting the tying run into scoring position but they were unable to bring him home.
