Dodge City keeping playoff hopes alive

Derby, Ks (westernkansasnews)-A’s coach Michael Robbins says he never looks at the standings; in fact-what manager does? Well if he happen to glance, the second-year coach would know his team’s 10-4 win over Derby at Panther Field Tuesday night helped keep his team within six games of Wellington for the final playoff spot in the Jayhawk. 

“Hopefully we can get hot down the stretch,” Robbins said. “Even last year when we were at the top of the league, I never looked; just go out and play is our attitude.”

That’s exactly what Dodge City (7-16) did on an extremely humid night in Wichita. 

David Lafleur’s bat sprung the A’s offense into overdrive in the top of the 1st. With two on and one out, the Dodge City left fielder blasted a three-run shot over the right-field fence to give the A’s a 3-0 lead.

“When we get great pitching and timely hitting, we’re a pretty tough bunch to beat,” Robbins said.

 Dodge City would tack on a run in the second, one in the second, three in the third and three in fifth. 

Derby (11-15) made a late rally in the sixth when Jason McMurray and Kyle Bilbrey went deep, their comeback efforts would be short circuited when Richi Gorski flew out to left-stranding a runner in scoring position. 

Next up: Dodge City at Derby-7 pm Wednesday