May 18, 2007

Box Score

FORT WORTH, Texas - Shane Dyer turned in a one-hit, five-inning performance in relief against the 20th-ranked team in the nation but it wasn't enough to help his team snap its losing streak to TCU. The Lobos (25-27, 10-12 MWC) fell 4-2 for their ninth straight loss to the Horned Frogs.

Austin Adams' blast down the left field line in the bottom of the first was signaled a home run to the surprise of the Lobos dugout, apparently just clearing the poll before landing a few feet in foul territory. The homer gave TCU a 2-0 lead.

Jordan Pacheco evened the game in the top of the third with a single to center, driving home Chad Itokazu and Matt Foote. But the Frogs took the lead right back, scoring two runs on two doubles and a single in the bottom of the inning.

TCU was silenced by Dyer, who came in for starter Bobby LaFromboise to start the fourth. He threw four straight hitless innings until the eighth, when a chopper to short that Itokazu couldn't get out of his glove.

The Lobos had trouble getting on base late too. They posted two hits after the third but both were quickly erased with double plays. TCU reliever Sam Demel was awarded three consecutive strikeouts in the ninth, despite the questionable location of some pitches. Mild-mannered head coach Rich Alday was also ejected in the bottom of the fifth for arguing over calls.

The Lobos out-hit TCU, 6-4, led by Pacheco's 2-for-2 performance. Clint Arnold led the Frogs, going 2-for-4. Ian Hollick singled to lead off the top of the fourth, extending his career-high hit streak to 20 games. He is one game away from matching Daniel Stovall for the season-long at 21 games.

Chris Johnson improved to 11-2 overall with the win, allowing two runs on five hits and four walks. Demel earned his 12th save, holding the Lobos hitless over 2 innings with three strikeouts. LaFromboise suffered the loss (6-3), giving up four runs on three hits.

The series concludes tomorrow at 2 p.m. CT/1 p.m. MT. It if the final game of the regular season with the Mountain West Conference Tournament starting Wednesday at Earl E. Wilson Stadium in Las Vegas.