Rangers Knock Off Astros 12-9

 The Dayton Rangers used some clutch two-out hitting and effective pitching to defeat the Astros for the seventh time in the last eight meetings, three times by the score of 12-9.

      Rookie Reis Pearson took to the hill on Sunday in his first start of the season. Despite some shaky defensive support in the third inning, Pearson managed to only give up three earned runs over seven innings of work.

      The Astros got on the board first as P.J. Dobbins laced a double to right center and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by rookie Adam Stewart. The Rangers answered in the bottom half of the inning off of Astros starter Steve Murphy. Jared Bradley reached base on a catcher’s interference and moved up a base on Jacob Robinson’s single. Jonmarc Lippincott then singled through the right side to drive in two. Brad Clark doubled to deep left center to score Lippincott. And Clark scored on Matt Hood’s single. Astros shortstop Mike Leach doubled in Rob Johnson in the second to cut the lead in half, 4-2.

      A couple of Rangers errors started off the scoring for the Astros in the third. The ‘Stros capitalized on the miscues and scored four times, highlighted by Rob Johnson’s two-run single. The Rangers got one back when Shane Fallen grounded out to second to plate Matt Hood. The big inning for the Rangers came in the fourth inning as the home team scored five runs to take a 10-6 lead. Brad Clark walked with the bases juiced, Matt Hood followed up with a two-run single, and Steve Marshall ended the scoring with an RBI single of his own.

      Mike Leach relieved Murphy in the fifth and only allowed two runs in the next four innings. Pearson handed the ball over to Brad Clark in the 8^th inning. Clark allowed the first two batters in each inning to reach base, but forced a pair of double-play ground balls to thwart any comeback attempt by the Astros.

Offensive performances of note: Seven RBIs came with two outs. Jonmarc Lippincott tied a Rangers record by reaching base safely in 13 straight plate appearances (tied record held by Ethan Goetz). Jacob Robinson and Matt Hood each reached base five times (3 hits a piece). Steve Marshall 3-for-5; Clint Wolf 1-for-2 (team high 12 runs scored this season). Brad Clark 1-for-2 2RBI, double.

Defensive performances of note: In the last four games behind the plate, catcher Shane Fallen has thrown out 3 of the 5 runners who have attempted to steal. Jonmarc Lippincott gave way to Steve Marshall at shortstop in the 7^th inning, which proved to be a stroke of genius as Marshall turned a pair of double plays in the last two innings to kill Astros’ rallies. Jacob Robinson and Kyle Robinson (no relation) made some big plays in the outfield.