 July 25, 2004 - BY JOSHUA WOOD, Wichita Eagle correspondent
In three previous games against the Wranglers, El Paso's Sergio Lizarraga had pitched well, striking out 13 and posting a 3.74 ERA.
Those good times came to a halt early Saturday night as the Wranglers got nine hits and six runs off Lizarraga in the first two innings.
That was more than enough for Wrangler starter Danny Tamayo, who allowed one run in six innings in an 8-4 victory.
"All year long Danny's been pitching strong," Chad Santos said. "When you've got a good pitcher out there, it's easier for us to get hits."
In the bottom of the first, the Wranglers sent 10 men to the plate, scoring four runs.
Cory Aldridge had the first of his two doubles to drive in Andres Blanco, who led off with a walk. Santos singled in Aldridge, and Mike Tonis hit a bases-loaded single to drive in two three batters later.
Santos was 2 for 5 with three RBIs; Tonis was 2 for 4.
"I actually wasn't seeing the ball that well," Santos said. "But (Lizarraga) was leaving the ball up in the zone a bit, so I was able to get it."
The Wranglers scored twice more in the second. They were aided by the wet conditions of the outfield at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.
Aldridge doubled to right field after Carlos Quentin slipped on the grass. A batter later, Byron Gettis, who was 2 for 4, tripled to center after Marland Williams fell.
"That's a home-field advantage...," Santos said. "When this track gets wet, it's hard to get the dirt dry, it's hard to play out there."
Tamayo (7-6) rolled along through six innings, striking out four batters, while allowing only three hits.
In the seventh, he allowed three straight singles before giving way to Colt Griffin, who got out the jam on a double play hit to Blanco.
Like Thursday's series opener against the Diablos, the Wranglers had trouble in the ninth, but unlike Thursday it didn't cost them the game.
Mike MacDougal, pitching in his first relief appearance for Wichita, allowed three runs and two hits in two-thirds of an inning. Mike Natale finally struck out the eighth batter El Paso sent to the plate to finish the game.
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