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TL1 Texas League

Texas League Newsletter

July 30, 2007 - Texas League (TL1) News Release


NORTH NOTES

Arkansas Travelers (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) 20-16, second place, North Division (51-55 overall)

July 24... Nick Adenhart hurled eight strong innings as Arkansas beat Springfield, 4-2, extending the Travs winning streak to seven games. Adenhart allowed just one run, on just four singles. He did not give up a hit until the fourth inning, when Juan Richardson singled with one out. Adenhart improves his record to 8-3, while lowered his ERA to 3.28, fourth best in the Texas League. The 20-year-old right-hander leads the Travelers with 82 strikeouts in 115 innings and has surrendered only four home runs in 19 starts this season. The Travs staked Adenhart to a 2-0 lead in the first, when Corey Myers single to right field with the bases loaded plated two runners. Freddie Sandoval went 3-for-4, raising his average to .309, while and Myers, who collected two hits, is now batting .352. July 25... Freddy Sandoval's two-run triple highlighted a five-run fifth inning, as Arkansas out slugged Springfield, 13-8. The Travelers erased a five-run deficit, when they sent 10 batters to the plate in the fifth, taking a 7-5 lead. The win for the Travs was their eighth straight, their longest winning streak since 2001. The "W" puts the Travs within one game of first place in the second-half race. Sandoval went 4-for-5 with three runs scored, while Sean Rodriguez was 3-for-5 with a solo homer, his 12th of the season, three RBIs and three runs scored. Starter Fernando Rodriguez upped his record to 6-1 with the win, despite giving up five runs on 10 hits over five innings. July 26... Travs right fielder Cody Fuller executed a bases-loaded suicide squeeze in the bottom of the 12th inning to give Arkansas its ninth straight win, 7-6, over Tulsa. Fuller went 2-for-5, with a season-high four RBIs. The 24-year-old slugged a sixth inning three-run homer, only his second in 239 at-bats this season. Adam Morrissey sent the game into extra innings when he delivered a game tying RBI single in the ninth. Reliever David Austen gave up a leadoff double to Tulsa's Christian Colonel in the 12th, but escaped the jam, picking up his first Texas League win. Six relievers worked out of the Arkansas bullpen for eight solid innings of work, allowing just two earned runs. July 27... Miguel Gonzalez topped Tulsa 8-1, as Arkansas extended its winning streak to 10 games. Picking up his seventh win of the season, Gonzalez allowed just one unearned run on seven hits, winning his third straight start. Gonzalez currently leads the Texas League with a 2.74 ERA. In the fifth inning, Freddie Sandoval, who was 2-for-3 in the game, snapped a 1-1 tie with an RBI single. Sean Rodriguez followed with another single which plated two more runs. Corey Myers went 3-for-4 with an RBI and Michael Collins drove in two runs for the Travs, who have not lost since July 16. July 28... The Travelers had their ten game winning-streak snapped, falling 4-1 to Tulsa. The game looked to be in the Travs favor, as starter Ching Lung Lo walked the bases loaded in the first inning, before giving up a sacrifice fly to Ben Johnson. Lo settled down and had a no-hitter through five innings. Lo's no-hit attempt was broken up by Brad Coon, who lined a two-out single to center, the lone hit for the Travs in the game. Starter Nick Green battled for seven innings, yielded just one unearned run on six hits. Reliever Von Stertzbach took the loss after giving up a run in the ninth inning. NOTE: After Saturday's game, the Travelers set a new single-season attendance record, with 301,783 on the season, exceeding the turnout of 1989 that saw the Travs win the Texas League Championship while playing at Ray Winder Field. July 29... The Travelers stumbled once again, falling 7-1 to Tulsa. Arkansas has totaled two runs in losing its last two games following a 10-game winning streak. Starter Nick Adenhart took a no-hitter into the fifth, but lost his command, surrendering six runs, in the sixth inning. Cody Fuller scored the Travs lone run on a throwing error by pitcher Franklin Morales. Fuller went 2-for-3 with a double. NOTE: Sunday's game was moved up to 4:00 to help the Drillers, who were scheduled to fly to San Antonio following the game to attend Mike Coolbaugh's Memorial Service on Monday. American Airlines donated a charter flight, designated as Flight 29, Coolbaugh's jersey number.

Springfield Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals) 21-15, first place, North Division (57-46 overall)

July 24... Making his Double-A debut for the first place Cardianls, starter P.J. Walters was charged with four runs over 5 1/3 innings, taking a 4-2 loss to Arkansas. Juan Richardson broke up Nick Adenhart's no-hit bid with a single in the fourth. Richardson also picked up his Texas League-leading 66th RBI with a single in the sixth inning. The Cards hold just a two game lead over the streaking Travelers. July 25... The Cards lost 13-8 to Arkansas in a slugfest that saw all Springfield batters collect at least one hit. Sean Danielson went 3-for-6 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Juan Richardson lifted a first inning sacrifice fly and slugged an eighth inning solo homer, his 15th on the year, sending his league leading RBI total to 68. Starter Cory Rauschenberger had been 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA in three games against Arkansas this season, but was tagged for seven runs over 4 1/3 innings, taking his seventh loss on the year. July 26... Juan Lucena drove in three runs to lead Springfield past Wichita, 8-4. Lucena smacked a fourth inning RBI double and a fifth inning two-run double. Sean Danielson went 4-for-4 with two stolen bases, an RBI and a run scored. Starter Eric Haberer, who earned his 10th victory of the season, gave up four runs over six innings to win his fifth consecutive start. Chris Perez struck out the final batter for his 26th save of the year. July 27... Colby Rasmus capped a three-hit night with a go-ahead double in the 11th inning, as Springfield edged Wichita, 9-8. Rasmus also singled in the third, then tripled and scored the tying run in the ninth on a throwing error by shortstop Valentino Arce. Reliever Zach Zuercher eared his second Texas League win, allowing one hit in three scoreless innings, before Chris Perez pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 27th save, which ties Springfield's single-season record. Perez needs one more save to pass Mark Worrell on the all-time saves list in franchise history. July 28... Juan Richardson launched a seventh inning three-run blast, his 16th of the year, in an 8-7 loss to Wichita. The three RBI game gave Richardson a league-leading 72 RBI's on the season. Casey Rowlett put the Cards up 3-0, when he smacked a second inning bases-loaded triple. July 29... In a rain shortened game stopped in the sixth inning, starter P.J. Walters gave up just one run on two hits, taking the 1-0 loss to Wichita. The Cards offense only collected three base hits, from Sean Danielson, Juan Lucena and Mark Shorey. The Cards hold a one game lead over Arkansas for first place in the Texas League North Division. NOTE: Left-hander Jaime Garcia, one of the top-rated prospects in the St. Louis organization, has been shut down for at least two weeks due to soreness in his pitching elbow. Garcia, 5-9 with a 3.75 ERA, said he experienced soreness during a start on July 18 at Tulsa.

Tulsa Drillers (Colorado Rockies) 15-20, third place, North Division (50-55 overall)

July 23... Wichita rescheduled Monday's game against Tulsa to give the Drillers time to regroup following the death of first base coach Mike Coolbaugh in Arkansas on Sunday. The Drillers and Wranglers are to make up the game as part of a doubleheader on August 26. July 24... In Tulsa's first game since the death of hitting coach Mike Coolbaugh, the Drillers posted a season-high five homers, topping Wichita, 12-6 in an emotional victory. The Drillers played following a joint decision by the organization and the Coolbaugh family. "They decided the best thing was to go ahead and move forward. It's what Mike would have wanted," Tulsa manager Stu Cole said. "The team is doing a lot better," Cole added, saying he told his players before the game to "go out and play with passion and play with their heart." Duke Sardinha and Corey Wimberley cranked three-run homers in the second and sixth innings respectively for the Drillers. Matt Miller hit a solo shot in the third, Christian Colonel sent his 12th roundtripper over the left-field wall in the fifth, while Jordan Czarniecki capped the ninth with a two-run homer. Reliever Matt Daley earned the victory, giving up one run on two hits over 2 1/3 innings. Starter Franklin Morales yielded five runs over 4 2/3 frames. July 25... One night after the Drillers emotional victory, the Drillers turned in another spirited effort. Twice the Drillers overcame deficits to take leads over Wichita, but the Wranglers struck last, breaking a 6-6 tie with two runs in the bottom of the eighth to defeat Tulsa 8-6. Nine-hole hitter Rick Guarno led the Drillers with three hits. Jordan Czarniecki belted a fifth inning two-run homer, his ninth of the season, that gave the Drillers a 6-4 lead. Reliever Jarrett Grube suffered the loss, surrendering two runs on three hits in two frames. July 26... In the first game back at the sight of the tragic death of Mike Coolbaugh, the Drillers fell 7-6 to Arkansas on a squeeze bunt in the bottom of the 12th inning. Tulsa pulled ahead in the top of the ninth as they scored two runs on RBI singles by Tommy Duenas and Aaron Rifkin. Duenas went 2-for-5 with four RBIs, while Matt Miller was 3-for-6 to lead a 12-hit attack for the Drillers. Texas League save leader Steven Register had a chance to nail down the game in the bottom of the ninth, but gave up the game tying run that forced extra innings. July 27... The Drillers could do nothing to stop the red hot Travelers, falling 8-1, as Arkansas won its franchise record tenth consecutive game. Starter Ryan Mattheus took the loss as he surrendered eight runs over 6 1/3 innings. At the plate, Aaron Rifkin led off the second inning with a ground-rule double, later scoring the lone run on a throwing error. July 28... Ching Lung Lo walked five and threw three wild pitches, but yielded just one hit over seven innings as Tulsa beat Arkansas, 4-1. Arkansas had been riding a 10-game winning streak before they faced the 6'6 hurler from Taiwan. The night did not start off well for the 21-year-old right-hander, who walked the bases loaded in the first inning and gave up his lone run on a sacrifice fly to Ben Johnson. Lo's no-hit bid was broken up in the fifth by Travs Brad Coon, who lined a two-out single to center. Jarrett Grube tossed a perfect inning before Steven Register fanned one in a 1-2-3 ninth for his Texas League-leading 30th save. Register is closing in on the Texas League save record, 38, which was set in 1996 by El Paso's Sean Maloney. The Driller all-time save record is 37, set by Ryan Speier in 2004. At the plate, Aaron Rifkin slapped two doubles in the game, second, a the two-run double in the ninth, chased home the speedy duo of Corey Wimberley and Jonathan Herrera, sealing the victory. July 29... Franklin Morales tossed his second career complete game, as Tulsa defeated Arkansas, 7-1. Morales allowed just an unearned run on six hits. He has won his last three outings after starting the season without a victory over his first 13 starts. At the plate, Christian Colonel lifted a fourth inning sacrifice fly, but went 0-for-3, snapping his 12-game hitting streak. Matt Macri belted a sixth inning two-run homer, his 10th of the year and Jordan Czarniecki delivered an eighth inning solo shot, his 10th of the year. NOTE: American Airlines provided a free charter flight so the Drillers could fly from Little Rock to San Antonio on Sunday night in order for the team be able to attend memorial services for fallen hitting coach Mike Coolbaugh on Monday. The Flight No. will be 29, Coolbaugh's number and saved the team a 10-hour bus ride from North Little Rock. QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "This is probably the most emotional last 48 hours I've ever had and tonight was probably the most emotional game I've ever played in," Drillers third baseman/DH Christian Colonel told the Tulsa World after the team resumed its season on Tuesday. "I'm numb. We just want to honor him by doing what we're supposed to do."

Wichita Wranglers (Kansas City Royals) 14-22, fourth place, North Division (39-67 overall)

July 23... Wichita rescheduled Monday's game against Tulsa to give the Oklahoma team time to regroup following the death of first base coach Mike Coolbaugh in Arkansas on Sunday. The Drillers and Wranglers are to make up the game as part of a doubleheader on Aug. 26. July 24... Wichita lost to Tulsa 12-6. Adam Donachie sparked a five-run fifth with his fifth homer of the season. Michael Gaffney drove in two runs and Jorge Padilla, Jeff Nettles and Geraldo Valentin each plated a run apiece. Starter Daniel Christensen suffered his 11th loss of the season, after allowing six runs over five innings. July 25... Jorge Padilla's two-run double in the bottom of the eighth inning gave Wichita an 8-6 win over Tulsa. With the score tied, 6-6, Adam Greenberg opened the decisive frame with a walk and Geraldo Valentin reached on a bunt single. After Mike Stodolka lined out, Padilla, who was 2-for-3 in the game, ripped a double to left field, plating Greenberg and Valentin. Gilbert de la Vara worked around a hit and a walk in a scoreless eighth before Jarod Plummer pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to post his 10th save of the season. Olin Joseph, batting in the ninth spot, went 3-for-4, with a double and an RBI. July 26... Wichita took a fourth inning lead on Jeff Nettles' two-run homer, but could not hold on to the late lead, as the Wranglers fell 8-4 to Springfield. Starter D.J. Mattox took the loss. July 27... In a back-and-forth game that saw four lead changes, the Wranglers fell to Springfield 9-8 in 11 innings. Starter Greg Atencio was roughed up, surrendering seven runs on eight hits in six innings. Geraldo Valentin, Mike Stodolka, who went 3-for-5, and Jeff Nettles s lapped RBI singles in a six-run third for Wichita. July 28... Jorge Padilla capped a four-hit night with a walk-off homer in the ninth inning as Wichita edged Springfield, 8-7. Padilla tripled and scored in the second and singled in the third and seventh, before blasting his sixth homer of the year leading off the ninth. The 27-year-old left fielder is batting a team-best .364. Mike Stodolka smacked a third inning solo homer, his 11th of the year and Jeff Nettles belted a fifth inning three-run shot, his fifth of the season. Reliever Jarod Plummer picked up the win, despite giving up two runs, one earned in 2 2/3 innings of work. Starter Carlos Rosa lasted only three innings, giving up three runs on three hits. July 29... Daniel Christensen tossed a three-hitter as Wichita blanked Springfield, 1-0, in a rain-shortened six-inning game. Christensen, who struck out six in his first career shutout, earned his third win of the season and snapping a personal three-game losing streak. The Wranglers scored their lone run off the bat of Adam Donachie, who blasted a second inning solo home run, his seventh of the year. Adam Greenberg had the only other hit for the Wranglers. After the game, Wichita heads out of town for two weeks, as The National Baseball Congress World Series invades Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.

SOUTH NOTES

Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston Astros) 17-18, third place, South Division (48-57 overall)

July 23... The Hooks jumped on Missions starter Josh Geer in the second inning for an early three run lead, but could not collect another run off the starter, as Corpus Christi fell 5-4 to San Antonio. Starter Brad James suffered his first loss of the season, giving up four runs over six innings. At the plate, Francisco Caraballo hit a two-run single and Ray Sadler went 2-for-4 with an RBI single for the Hooks. July 24 and July 25... Both games were washed out in San Antonio due to heavy rain. The first game will be made up at Corpus Christi on Tuesday, July 31st, as apart of a doubleheader, with the first game starting at 5:30. The two teams return to San Antonio in late August, where the second game will be made up on a doubleheader on Sunday the 26th. July 26... The Hooks could not come up with the big hit, leaving 11 runners on base, as they fell 4-2 to Frisco. Todd Self put the Hooks up early, as he smacked a first inning RBI double, while Edwin Maysonet lifted a sacrifice fly in the eighth to cap the Hooks scoring. Reliever James Barthmaier took the loss after surrendering two runs over 3 1/3 frames. July 27... Corpus Christi pitchers gave up a franchise-record five homers as the Hooks fell 6-5 to the Frisco. Reliever Josh Miller took the loss, giving up one run on two hits in the sixth inning. At the plate, J.R. Towles hit a fifth inning three-run homer, his 10th of the year. July 28... Felipe Paulino remained winless in seven starts, as the Hooks fell 1-0 to Frisco. Paulino deserved a better fate as he allowed just three hits in seven innings. July 29... Corpus Christi starter Brad James pitched well in his third Double-A start, but fell victim to lack of run support in a 2-0 loss at Frisco. In six plus innings, James yielded just one run on seven hits, striking out three, while not allowing a walk. The Texas native was promoted from Class-A Salem, where he posted a 9-2 record and a 1.98 ERA in 16 starts. At the plate, Drew Sutton collected two of the Hooks seven base hits. The Hooks have now lost six games in a row. NOTE: Houston hurler Brandon Backe is scheduled to make a rehab start on August 2 against San Antonio. Backe is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is scheduled to throw 50 to 60 pitches.

Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers) 20-17, second place, South Division (67-40 overall)

July 23... Salomon Manriquez belted a three-run homer in the sixth inning, as Frisco rallied past visiting Midland, 5-4. Manriquez's homer was his second in as many nights. The ‘Riders first three batters combined to go 6-for-11, with three runs scored. Frisco starter Luis Mendoza picked up his 11th win of the season, giving up three runs over seven innings, with six strikeouts. Paul Kometani struck out two in a hitless ninth as he notched his seventh save of the year. July 24... Despite never trailing in the game until the ninth inning, the RoughRiders fell to Midland 5-4. Reliever Ken Chenard, who gave up the go-ahead homer to Midland's Vince Faison, took the loss, his sixth of the season. Texas Rangers right-hander Vicente Padilla made his second rehab start and yielded just one hit in two scoreless innings. He has been sidelined since June 21 with right triceps irritation. At the dish, German Duran hit his 18th home run of the year in the third, a two-run blast. Emerson Frostad crushed a fifth inning solo shot, his eighth of the year. July 25... The ‘Riders bullpen blew a strong start by Chris Baker, falling to Midland 3-1 in the 11 inning. Baker allowed just one run, on one hit over six frames. The blemish was a solo homer by ‘Hounds Brant Colamarino in the second inning. The 29-year-old right-hander yielded only two base runners after the solo blast, both via the walk, while fanning five batters. Frisco scored their lone run off the bat of Brandon Boggs, who smoked an RBI double, while nine-hole hitter Micah Furtado went 3-for-4, with two doubles and a run scored. July 26... Micah Furtado's RBI single sparked a three-run eighth inning, as Frisco rallied past Corpus Christi, 4-2. Furtado, who went 3-for-4, forged a 2-2 tie with his single in the eighth. In the same inning, German Duran lifted a sacrifice fly and Brandon Boggs followed with a run-scoring triple for the RoughRiders. Boggs finished the game with two triples. Reliever Scott Shoemaker earned the win after he allowed just one run over three innings. Jesse Ingram fanned two in a perfect ninth for his 21st save of the year. July 27... German Duran hit two of Frisco's five home runs, as the RoughRiders edged Corpus Christi, 6-5. Kevin Richardson led off the third inning with his 13th homer to give the ‘Riders a 1-0 lead. Two outs later, Brandon Boggs singled and Micah Furtado sent a shot over the right-field fence, his first Texas League homer. Duran followed with a blast to left for his team-leading 19th roundtripper. In the fifth, Duran cracked his Texas League-leading 20th homer, a solo shot. The homer-fest helped starter Doug Mathis, who notched his eighth win of the year, after allowing five runs over six innings. Jorge Vasquez and Bill White combined for a perfect seventh before Paul Kometani yielded two hits and fanned four over the final two frames for his eighth save of the year. July 28... Vicente Padilla and four relievers combined on a five-hitter as Frisco edged Corpus Christi, 1-0. Padilla scattered three hits, while striking out four in two-plus innings. It was his third rehab start for the RoughRiders. Ken Chenard picked up his second victory after allowing just one hit and fanning five in three frames. Jesse Ingram tossed a 1-2-3 ninth to notch his 22nd save and seal the Texas League-leading 10th shutout for the ‘Riders. July 29... Luis Mendoza tossed 5 2/3 shutout innings for his 12th win as Frisco blanked Corpus Christi, 2-0. Mendoza scattered six hits, while fanning five, en-route to his third straight victory. The 23-year-old right-hander moved into a tie with San Antonio's Josh Geer for the Texas League lead in wins. Jesse Ingram fanned two in the ninth for his 23rd save of the year. Frisco hurlers struck out 12 Hooks batters in the shutout. German Duran drove in both Frisco runs with a sacrifice fly in the first inning and an RBI single in the eighth.

Midland RockHounds (Oakland Athletics) 15-21, fourth place, South Division (56-47 overall)

July 23... Midland fell 5-4 to Frisco, as the RoughRiders rallied to score four runs in the sixth inning. The ‘Hounds hopped on the board in the second when Vasili Spanos lined an RBI triple and Javier Herrera slugged a two-run homer, his third since his call-up from Class-A Stockton. Richie Robnett smacked a solo shot in the ninth inning, his 15th of the year. Robnett finished the game 3-for-4, with two runs scored. July 24... Vince Faison capped a three-hit night with a go-ahead homer in the ninth inning, as Midland topped Frisco, 6-4. Faison, who was not scheduled to start game, finished 2-for-3, with two runs scored and a pair RBI after replacing an injured Javier Herrera. Eddie Cornejo went 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Jeff Baisley drove in two runs for the ‘Hounds. Reliever Travis Foley picked up his third win of the season by striking out the only two batters he faced, while David Shafer pitched around a hit in the ninth for his fourth save of the year. July 25... Luke Appert hit a two-run single in the top of the 11th inning to lift Midland past Frisco, 3-1. With the score tied, 1-1, Vince Faison led off the 11th with a single to left field and advanced to third on Cliff Pennington's one-out double. Appert followed with a base hit to right field to put the ‘Hounds up for good. Out of the pen, Mike Bumatay picked up his second win of the season, while Jerry Blevins struck out the side in the 11th, earning his first Texas League save. Six RockHound pitchers combined to strikeout 13 RoughRider hitters. July 26... Richie Robnett and Myron Leslie each smacked two-run doubles in the fifth inning, leading Midland past San Antonio, 9-5. In the seventh inning, the RockHounds trailed, 5-1, in the seventh before Cliff Pennington ripped an RBI single. Robnett's 31st double pulled the RockHounds within a run, before Leslie's 20th two-base hit put them in front for good. In the win, Robnett was 3-for-5, Anthony Recker was 3-for-4 with an RBI and Vince Faison ripped two doubles and scored twice for the RockHounds. Jeff Baisley went 0-for-5, ending his 15-game hitting streak. The ‘Hounds amassed 16 hits in the game, with five doubles. Starter Ben Fritz picked up his ninth win of the season, snapping a personal five-game losing streak. July 27... Brant Colamarino homered twice and drove in four runs as Midland beat San Antonio, 7-1. Colamarino belted a solo shot in the fourth inning and a three-run blast, his eighth, in the sixth. It was the 26-year-old's eighth career multi-homer game and first this season. Vasili Spanos blasted a second inning solo homer, his 10th, while Luke Appert collected two hits and scored a run. Sarter Bobby Cramer earned his third win of the year, yielding a run on four hits in six innings, lowering his ERA 0.43. July 28... Brant Colamarino, Jeff Baisley and Vince Faison all doubled in the eighth inning as Midland rallied past San Antonio, 7-5. The RockHounds trailed, 5-3, before Colamarino sparked a four-run outburst with an RBI double to left. Baisley followed with a two-run double and Faison capped the rally three batters later with another run-scoring two-base hit. Colamarino went 3-for-3 in the win, with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Baisley had three RBIs for the ‘Hounds. Brad Kilby retired one batter in the eighth, earning his first win of the season. David Shafer tossed a perfect ninth for his fifth save of the year. NOTE: The RochHound bullpen has been virtually unhittable during the past two series, running its scoreless innings streak to 20 1/3. Over the last six games the ‘pen has allowed eight hits and four walks, while striking out 20. July 29... The game between Midland and San Antonio was rained out and will be made up during the teams' last meeting of the season, August 28-31 in San Antonio.

San Antonio Missions (San Diego Padres) 20-13, first place, South Division (51-52 overall)

July 23... Josh Geer notched his Texas League-leading 12th win as San Antonio edged Corpus Christi, 5-4. Geer, who is 12-4, allowed three runs on six hits in eight innings, winning his fourth straight start. The 24-year-old right-hander has not lost since June 13, a stretch of seven starts. Dirk Hayhurst notched his first save of the year, despite allowing a run on two hits in the ninth. Colt Morton, who went 2-for-3, stroked a first inning RBI single, doubled and scored in the fourth and lifted a fifth inning sacrifice fly for the Missions. In the seventh, Chase Headley smacked a solo homer, his 17th of the year, while Luis Cruz went 2-for-3 with an RBI double. July 24 and July 25... Both games versus Corpus Christi were washed out in San Antonio due to heavy rain. The first game will be made up on Tuesday, July 31st in Corpus Christi, apart of a doubleheader, with the first game starting at 5:30. The two teams return to Wolff Stadium in late August, where the second game will be made up on a doubleheader on Sunday the 26th. July 26... The Missions jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, but could stop the RockHound offense, falling 9-5 to Midland. In the second inning, Brett Bonvechio slugged a solo homer, his eighth, and then two batters later, Michael Johnson lifted a two-run blast, his 11th of the year. Starter Mike Ekstrom took the loss after surrendering six runs over 4 2/3 innings. July 27... Chase Headley blasted his 18th homer of the year, a solo shot in the sixth, as the Missions fell 7-1 to Midland. Matt Antonelli collected two doubles in the game that only saw just six Missions hits. Starter Manny Ayala suffered the loss, surrendering six runs on nine hits while striking out five over six frames. July 28... In a 7-5 loss to Midland, Chase Headley went 2-for-4 with an RBI, boosting his Texas League-leading average to .347 and extending his on-base streak to 29 games. Brett Bonvechio went 2-for-5 with two RBIs. Reliever Dirk Hayhurst gave up three runs, as he only retired two batters to take his first loss of the season. July 29... The Missions were rained out for the third time this week. The game will be made up during the teams' last meeting of the season, August 28-31 in San Antonio. Will Inman, who was recently acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers system, was scheduled to make his Texas League debut on Sunday. Inman is atop the leader board in all the minor league with 140 strikeouts, pitching for Brevard County (Single-A) and Huntsville (Double-A).

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Brant Colamarino - Midland

6 G, 19 AB, 9 H (.474), 6 R, 2 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, .565 OBP, 1.053 SLG

Brant Colamarino has spent four years in Midland and this week may have been his finest in a RockHound uniform. The Pittsburgh native led his ‘Hound to a 5-1 record during week with his productive bat. Colamarino started off on a slow note, going 0-for-7 during the first two games of the week, but quickly turned into a hitting machine. Colamarino, a first baseman who was struggling with a .216 batting average when play started on Wednesday, went 9-for-12 in his final four games of the week with two doubles, three homers, six runs scored and eight RBIs. During the four game stretch, Colamarino had four multi-hit games, including a perfect 3-for-3 on the 28th, raising his average to .240 on the season. Colamarino's biggest night came on the 27th against San Antonio, where he drove in four runs, with a two home run night. Colamarino's three homers on the week were good for a four-way tied in the Texas League and his eight RBI's tied him with Frisco's German Duran for tops in the Texas League. A seventh-round draft pick in 2002, Colamarino batted .321 for the Hounds in 2005 and .285 last season. PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Miguel Gonzalez - Arkansas

1 G, 1 W, 0 ER (0.00 ERA), 7 H, 1 BB, 2 K

Miguel Gonzalez has won his second Pitcher of the Week award in the month as he pitched eight strong innings versus Tulsa on July 27th. His 8-1 win extended the Travelers winning streak to 10 games. Picking up his seventh win of the season and his third in his last three starts, Gonzalez allowed just one unearned run on seven hits. With this impressive start, Gonzalez lowered his ERA to a Texas League-best 2.74. The 23-year-old right-hander, who tossed a three-hit shutout on July 11, has won five of his last six decisions, improving his record to 7-3 in 14 starts this season.

This Week in the Texas League History

July 31, 1907... Austin hurlers reeled off their seventh shutout in the past nine days, including five in a row. During the nine game winning streak, the Austin mound corps allowed just two runs and at one point amassed 49 consecutive scoreless innings. Rube Sutor and Parson McGill each had two shutouts during the amazing streak.

August 1, 1954... In a game that was marked by a wild 20-minute riot, Frank Kellert poled a long home run in the bottom of the 11th inning that earned San Antonio an 8-7 win over Oklahoma City. Charlie Lock was the winner for the Missions, pitching the final 7.2 innings, striking out 14. The brawl started with a hard slide at second base by an OKC runner. During the tiff Indians manager Tommy Tatum began jawing with San Antonio pitcher Ryne Duren who was on the bench. When Duren came out of the dugout, Tatum swung and dislocated Duren's jaw with one punch, after which both teams joined the battle. About 50 fans jumped into the riot, which was finally quelled by police and umpires. Five participants were ejected and only Duren needed a trip to the hospital.

August 2, 1958... An exchange of punchs between San Antonio groundskeeper John Oliveria and umpire Mike Runyon brought to an end to a wild game that saw Houston top the Missions 6-5. The fist swing began shortly after Runyon called out San Antonio runner Carlos Castillo on a close play at third base that ended the game. As Runyon approached the dugout Oliveria shouted at the umpire, after which the pair began brawling. San Antonio manager Grady Hatton and police were needed to separate the pair.

August 3, 1895... San Antonio lost to Fort Worth 24-5 after committing nine errors and allowing 26 hits. Each of the first seven Fort Worth batters scored three times, while George Riley led the Panthers with five hits. Riley also took the mound in the sixth, striking out six San Antonio batters in four innings of work. Fort Worth iced the game in the fifth inning when they scored 11 runs, taking a 17-0 lead. San Antonio's defensive lapses were shared around the field as seven of their 10 players in the game committed at least one miscue.

August 4, 1965... Pitcher Jerry Thomas aided his own cause with a pair of 450' homers, leading El Paso to a 5-2 win over Amarillo. The two blasts gave Thomas three home runs for the season, all of them hit off Amarillo pitching. Thomas would end the season with six homers in just 71 at-bats, while compiling an 11-10 record for the Sun Kings.

August 5, 1987... El Paso pitcher Jorge Rubio, backed by a triple play, staggered to a 5-1 win over Dallas-Fort Worth. Rubio allowed nine hits, walked six, uncorked three wild pitches and balked once, but continually escaped a succession of tight situations. El Paso pulled the triple play in the first inning when John Kindle lined to shortstop Vic LaRose with the runners on first and second moving on the 3-2 pitch. LaRose quickly started the ball around the horn to register the other two outs, ending the inning.

August 6, 1925... Charlie "Hack" Miller pounded three home runs as he led his club to a 10-8 win over Waco. Miller's final homer, a two-run shot in the top on the ninth gave Dallas a 10-3 lead, helping foil a Waco comeback attempt in the bottom of the inning. Miller finished 4-for-5, with a double and five RBI's added to his three long balls. It was the second time in three days Miller had pounded Waco pitching. On August 4, "Hack" had led Dallas to an 11-4 win over Waco with another 4-for-5 effort that featured two doubles, a home run and two RBI's.

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Texas League Stories from July 30, 2007


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