Struggles on both sides of the field for Chicago, as the team drops game two of the series, 10-1.

 

A sold out home crowd plus the consistency of Steven Lacey on the mound made Tuesday’s morning game look promising.

 

Cleburne, one of the better hitting teams in the American Association, came out swinging, scoring four runs in the first three innings, off of two home runs.

 

Chicago responded immediately. Dusty Stroup hit a leadoff triple in the third inning, scoring on the next at-bat, when Pavin Parks singled to left field.

 

Stroup’s run in the third inning would end up being the only run scored by the Dogs.

 

Cleburne bats continued to pound on Dogs pitching, adding another run off of Lacey in the fifth inning. Lacey, a usually reliable pitcher, allowed five runs on seven hits and four walks over six innings pitched.

 

Lacey, relieved by newly signed pitcher Davis Pratt, impressed few in his Dogs debut. Pratt allowed five runs on six hits over just two innings on the mound.

 

The Dogs have been working on signing a new arm to strengthen the bullpen. The first experiment, Eon Walda, didn’t quite work out, as Walda was released after only 1.2 innings pitched for Chicago. Walda would later get picked up by division rival Gary SouthShore Railcats.

 

Chicago will give starting pitcher John Baker the nod for game three, in hopes of ending the losing streak. Baker has been extremely solid on the mound in his second stint with the Dogs, throwing an ERA of 2.75 while striking out 11, over three starts.

 

Baker is set to throw the first pitch at 6:30 Thursday night.