Texas League Update
Published on June 30, 2009 under Texas League (TL1) News Release
Player of the Week, June 22-28, 2009
Jeff Bianchi, Northwest Arkansas Naturals
.625 AVG (15-for-24) 1 home run, 6 RBI, 5 runs scored,
.667 on-base pct., .792 slugging pct., five multi-hit games
With less than two weeks of Double-A ball under his belt, Jeff Bianchi is settling in as one of the hottest hitters in the Texas League. He earns this week's Player of the Week award for batting .625 (15-for-24) in six contests, five of which were multi-hit games, including his June 27 performance in which he batted 5-for-5 and hit a walk-off home run in a 4-3 win over Arkansas.
Promoted from Single-A Wilmington on June 19, the 22-year-old Bianchi reached base at a .667 clip, slugged .792 and stole a pair of bases during the week. His walk-off homer in the bottom of the 10th inning on Saturday was just the second in Northwest Arkansas history, after teammate Jordan Parraz accomplished the feat for the Naturals on June 11.
Bianchi, the Royals' 2005 second-round draft choice, was batting .300 with four homers, 12 doubles, 28 RBI and 32 runs scored in 60 games with Wilmington prior to his call-up. The righthanded-hitting Bianchi batted .255 in 104 games for the BlueRocks a year ago, and was named the fifth-best second base prospect in the Royals system according to Baseball America's 2009 Prospect Handbook behind teammate Kurt Mertins.
Coincidentally, Bianchi joins Mertins as the only members of the Naturals to win the Texas League Player of the Week award this season. Kila Ka'aihue, Juan Richardson and Cory Aldridge took home the award during the 2008 season, the Naturals' first as a franchise.
Pitcher of the Week, June 22-28, 2009
Trey Hearne, Springfield Cardinals
1-0, 1.50 ERA, 6.0 IP, 1 run, 4 hits, 4 walks, 1 strikeout
Although he did not have the most impressive line of the week, Springfield ace Trey Hearne earned this week's award for delivering under pressure on both the mound and at bat.
Starting for the Cardinals on Friday in a game that would decide the championship of the first half in the North Division, Hearne effectively shut down Tulsa for six innings, helping Springfield coast to a 10-2 win. In his six innings of work, he allowed one run on four hits, walked four and struck out one, leaving the game with a 7-1 lead. The win improved his record this season to 8-1, including a 3-1 mark against the Drillers.
Hearne also helped himself at the plate, hitting an inside-the-park home run in the sixth inning, the first-ever by a Springfield player, while also adding a sacrifice bunt and being hit by a pitch in two other plate appearances. The home run was his second of the season, giving him seven RBI in 12 at-bats this year.
Hearne becomes the first Springfield pitcher to win the Pitcher of the Week award in 2009 and the first since Justin Fiske during the week of July 28-August 3, 2008.
The game was the first in-season playoff since 1931, when Houston and Beaumont broke that season's first half tie with a best-of-five series that stretched into August, before Houston prevailed 3-1. Houston's top pitcher that season was none other than Dizzy Dean, who compiled a 26-10 record with a 1.57 ERA.
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North Division Notebook
ARKANSAS TRAVELERS (Los Angeles Angels)
This week: 3-4; Second Half record: 2-3; Overall record: 30-45
3rd place North, 1.5 games behind Northwest Arkansas
Monday, June 22: W, 2-0 @ Springfield
Trevor Reckling (4-2) and two relievers combined on a four-hit shutout of Springfield, beating the Cardinals 2-0 and keeping the North Division knotted between the Cards and co-leaders Tulsa Drillers. Flint Wipke's solo home run in the fourth provided the Travs with their only RBI of the night, while Hank Conger and Mark Trumbo added two hits apiece. Reckling allowed three hits, struck out three and walked six in six innings of work. Bobby Mosebach notched save No. 5, setting the Cardinals down in order in both the eighth and ninth.
Tuesday, June 23: L, 5-2 @ Springfield
Attempting to play the spoiler's role and lift Tulsa into the playoffs, the Travelers fell short in a loss to Springfield, allowing the Cardinals to stay tied for first place in the South Division. Hainley Statia went 3-for-4 with an RBI and his 10th stolen base for the Travs, while three others had two hits apiece. The Travelers finished the game batting 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position, hitting into two double plays and committing two errors in the field. The Travelers finished the first half with a record of 28-42, 10 games out of first place in the North Division.
Wednesday, June 24: W, 4-1 @ Springfield
Starting pitcher Tommy Mendoza (5-3) had one of his finest outings of the year, carrying the Travelers past the Cardinals on Wednesday night. Mendoza went eight innings, allowing just one run on five hits, walking none and striking out seven. Centerfielder Peter Bourjos returned to the lineup after being out 17 games with a sprained wrist, singling and scoring in the first inning and recording an RBI infield single in the second. Bobby Mosebach slammed the door in the ninth, earning his sixth save.
Thursday, June 25: L, 7-5 @ Springfield
The Travelers rallied from a 7-1 deficit to get within two, but couldn't quite complete the comeback against the Cardinals. Losing pitcher Tim Kiely (1-1) was not nearly as effective as he'd been in first two outings, allowing seven earned runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out six. Hainley Statia and Coby Smith were the hitting stars for the Travs, each recording two hits and driving in two runs.
Friday, June 26: W, 7-4 @ Northwest Arkansas (10 innings)
Val Majewski hit a two-run homer in the first inning and a three-run blast in the 10th, helping the Travelers survive a late collapse and beat the Naturals in extra innings. Bobby Mosebach (2-0) threw two perfect innings to pick up the win, lowering his ERA to a microscopic 0.34 on the season. Jordan Walden got the start for the Travs, going seven strong innings before tiring in the eighth. The Naturals rallied for four runs in the frame, tying the game at 4-4 and setting up Majewski's heroics. All seven runs and eight of the Travs' nine hits came with two outs. Mosebach was promoted to Triple-A following the game.
Saturday, June 27: L, 4-3 @ Northwest Arkansas (10 innings)
In a game the Travelers had every reason to win, the offense just couldn't come up with the clutch hitting at the right time. In all, Arkansas batters reached base at a .435 (20-for-46) clip, but were just .133 with runners in scoring position (2-for-15). Coby Smith went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored, while Mark Trumbo had three hits as well. Trevor Reckling started for the Travs, going 6 1/3 innings, scattering eight hits and allowing two runs but coming away without a decision.
Sunday, June 28: L, 7-3 @ Northwest Arkansas
The Travelers dropped to 2-3 in the second half, allowing four runs in the bottom of the sixth after rallying to tie the score in the top half of the inning. Hank Conger hit a solo home run and laced an RBI single, while Mark Trumbo continued his fine week with a single, double and RBI. Barret Browning (0-7) lost yet again, walking five and allowing four runs (two earned) in five innings. Coby Smith stole his Texas League-leading 30th base of the year.
ALUMNI REPORT (Through Sunday, June 21):
2B Howie Kendrick was batting .327 with nine RBI in eight games since being sent down by the Angels ... OF Tommy Murphy (2004-05) was 14-for-30 in his last eight games ... OF Chris Pettit (2008) is still the PCL's leading hitter at .367, but has been on the DL with a hand injury since June 5 ... Reggie Willits (2005)
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS NATURALS (Kansas City Royals)
This week: 4-2; Second Half record: 3-1; Overall record: 39-35
1st place North, 0.5 game ahead of Springfield
Monday, June 22: W, 12-4 @ Tulsa
Entering the week as a long-shot to make the playoffs, Northwest Arkansas got a win and saw Springfield lose, pushing the Naturals to within one game of first place with one game left. Ed Lucas went 5-for-6 with a double, Jordan Parraz hit his third home run in four days, while Dan Cortes (5-6) allowed just three runs on five hits in six innings. In all, the Naturals recorded 12 runs on 18 hits, including seven for extra bases. Vance Wilson singled, doubled and homered for the Naturals, while Cody Strait added a single, two doubles and two RBI.
Tuesday, June 23: L, 13-1 @ Tulsa
The Naturals couldn't quite come up with a miracle finish, falling two games short of Tulsa and Springfield in the Texas League's North Division. Starting and losing pitcher Anthony Lerew (4-4) didn't have his best stuff, allowing nine runs (seven earned) in four-plus innings for the Naturals, who found themselves down 11-1 after five innings. Shortstop Jeff Bianchi went 3-for-4 with the Naturals' lone RBI in his fifth Double-A game, while Ed Lucas singled, doubled and scored. The Naturals finished with a first-half record of 36-34, highlighted by a big five-game sweep of Arkansas that vaulted them into playoff contention.
Wednesday, June 24: postponed/rain
Thursday, June 25: W, 5-1 @ Tulsa
The Naturals used a balanced offensive attack, pounding out 14 hits, including 12 singles, to beat the Drillers. Starter Everett Teaford (2-1) picked up the victory, allowing five hits and two walks in five innings. Shortstop Jeff Bianchi continued his hot start, collecting two hits, but saw his batting average drop to .462. Centerfielder Jarrod Dyson made his Double-A debut, going 3-for-5 in the leadoff spot. The 24-year-old batted .343 in 17 games for the Burlington Bees of the Midwest League.
Friday, June 26: L, 7-4 vs. Arkansas (10 innings)
Held in check for seven innings, the Naturals exploded for four runs in the bottom of the eighth, tying the Travelers before falling in extra innings. Jose Duarte, Kurt Mertins, Ed Lucas and Corey Smith each drove in runs in the inning, with Smith's two-out RBI double tying the score. Jarrod Dyson also singled in the inning, part of a 2-for-5 night in his Naturals home debut. Jeff Bianchi went 2-for-3 with a walk, upping his average to .483.
Saturday, June 27: W, 4-3 vs. Arkansas (10 innings)
Shortstop Jeff Bianchi has only been in the Texas League for one week, but he is quickly approaching legendary status in Springdale. Entering the game with a batting average of .483 (14-for-29), the 22-year-old Bianchi went 5-for-5 and belted a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning, his first Double-A dinger. Carlos Sencion (2-1) went the final 1 1/3 innings, earning the victory. Dan Cortes got the start for the Naturals, completing five innings without allowing a run. He gave up five hits, walked four and struck out three in exactly 100 pitches.
Sunday, June 28: W, 7-3 vs. Arkansas
The bottom third of the Naturals lineup took care of the Travelers, knocking in five runs, as Northwest Arkansas rallied late to beat Arkansas on Sunday. Cody Strait went 2-for-4 with a run and the eventual game-winning RBI during a four-run sixth, while Cody Clark homered and drove in two. Gilbert de la Vara (3-1) got the win in relief, later giving way to Greg Holland for his sixth save of the year. The Naturals are off to a 3-1 start since the second half began, the top record in the North Division after the first week.
ALUMNI REPORT (Through Sunday, June 21):
1B Kila Ka'aihue broke a 25-game home run dought with two homers against Albuquerque, then hit two more over the next five games ... OF Cory Aldridge (2008) batted .424 (14-for-33) with two homers and 10 RBI in a nine-game span ... RHP Greg Atencio (2008) had seven losses out of the bullpen, while Carlos Rosa (2008) had six.
SPRINGFIELD CARDINALS (St. Louis Cardinals)
*First Half North Division Champion*
This week: 4-3; Second Half record: 3-2; Overall record: 41-34
2nd place North, 0.5 game behind Northwest Arkansas
Monday, June 22: L, 2-0 vs. Arkansas
Tied with Tulsa with two games to play, the Cardinals bats froze up in a four-hit, shutout loss to the Travelers. Luckily for the Cardinals, the Drillers lost as well, meaning the division would come down to the final day of the half with each team tied at 37-32 on the year. Peter Kozma, Steven Hill, Mark Hamilton and Jim Rapoport singled and walked for the Cards, while the rest of the team reached base twice combined. As a whole, Springfield went just 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position, while hitting into three double plays.
Tuesday, June 23: W, 5-2 vs. Arkansas
Knowing that Tulsa had picked up a win earlier in the day, it was up to the Cardinals to force a tie-breaker game by defeating the Travelers. Starting and winning pitcher Lance Lynn (6-2) responded with a fine outing, sending the Cards to a winner-take-all showdown with the Drillers on June 26 in Tulsa. Lynn completed 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs, eight hits, no walks and four strikeouts. The Springfield offense didn't have its finest showing, but was patient in the bottom of the sixth, when it drew two, two-out, bases-loaded walks to extend the lead from 3-2 to 5-2. The Cards finished the first half at 38-32, tied with Tulsa and two games ahead of Northwest Arkansas.
Wednesday, June 24: L, 4-1 vs. Arkansas
Following a one hour, eight minute rain delay, the waterlogged Cardinals couldn't get untracked against the Travelers. Springfield, which had clinched at least a tie in the North Division the night before, scored just one run on five hits in the ballgame, fanning eight times. No player recorded more than one hit, while defensively the Cards committed four errors in the field. Starting and losing pitcher Brian Broderick (0-3) scattered 10 hits in six innings, allowing three earned (one earned), walking one and striking out one.
Thursday, June 25: W, 7-5 vs. Arkansas
The Cardinals evened their second half record at 1-1, using a five-run fifth to charge ahead 7-1 in the game. Middle-infield tandem Pete Kozma and Daniel Descalso each had big games, with Kozma going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI and Descalso going 2-for-4 with a three-run homer. Steven Hill also went deep, the first long ball in 24 games for the All-Star. Brandon Dickson (5-4) earned the win for the 'Cards, striking out seven and walking one in six innings. He allowed five runs (three earned) on eight hits.
Friday, June 26: W, 10-2 @ Tulsa (first half tiebreaker)
The Springfield Cardinals captured the North Division championship for the first half of the 2009 season, thanks to a star-turning performance by starting and winning pitcher Trey Hearne (8-1). Hearne, who lowered his ERA to 2.85 with six innings of one-run baseball, drilled a leadoff inside-the-park homerun in the sixth, sparking a three-run outburst and effectively putting the game away. Mark Hamilton also homered, launching a two-run drive in the third inning, while Tyler Henley added a three-run bomb in the eighth. Closer Francisco Samuel finished off the tiebreaker with a 1-2-3 ninth. Hearne's homer, his second of the year, was the first inside-the-park home run by a pitcher in Drillers Stadium history and the first in Springfield franchise history. Hearne went 1-for-1 with a sacrifice bunt (on which he reached on an error) and was hit by the pitch in his other plate appearance. Hamilton was promoted to Triple-A Memphis following the game.
Saturday, June 27: W, 9-0 @ Tulsa
The Springfield Cardinals picked up right where they left off Friday, running up an 8-0 score through the first three innings of a blowout win over the Drillers. Five Cards recorded multi-hit games, including Steven Hill, back on track with a 3-for-5 performance. Matt Arburr also broke out of a slump, going 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and three RBI. Starting Ryan Kulik (2-5) was impressive, cruising through eight innings, allowing no runs and five hits. He struck out one and did not walk a batter, earning his second victory of the year - both against the Drillers.
Sunday, June 28: L, 6-4 @ Tulsa
Tyler Henley went 3-for-4 with a homer, but the Cardinals could only muster a total of six hits in a loss to the Drillers. The Cards fell behind early 2-0 and 3-1, but rallied with single runs in the fourth, fifth and six to knot the game at three-all. Lance Lynn went the first six innings for Springfield, allowing three runs on seven hits with no walks and four strikeouts. He was replaced by Marco Gonzalez (0-2), who took the loss when he allowed an unearned run in the seventh. Tony Cruz and Nick Derba each had RBI doubles for the Cards.
ALUMNI REPORT (Through Sunday, June 21):
2B Jarrett Hoffpauir (2006-07) had seven hits in 17 at-bats over five games ... 1B Nick Stavinoha (2006) hit .348 with three homers and seven RBI over a six-game stretch ... RHP Adam Ottavino (2008) lost his ninth game in nine decisions last Sunday against Iowa ... RHP Jess Todd (2008) saved each of Memphis' last three victories through Friday, giving him 15 on the season.
TULSA DRILLERS (Colorado Rockies)
This week: 2-4; Second Half record: 1-3; Overall record: 39-35
4th place North, 2.0 games behind Northwest Arkansas
Monday, June 22: L, 12-4 vs. Northwest Arkansas
Handed a chance to take a one-game lead in the North with one game to play, the Drillers instead were blown out by Northwest Arkansas on Monday. Starting and losing pitcher Greg Smith (0-1), who came over from Oakland in the Matt Holliday trade, allowed five runs (all earned) on eight hits in 3 1/3 innings, while Xavier Cedeno coughed up a six-spot in the sixth inning to put the game out of reach. Mike Paulk and Anthony Jackson eached singled and doubled for the Drillers, providing most of the offense.
Tuesday, June 23: W, 13-1 vs. Northwest Arkansas
On the final day of the first half, the Tulsa Drillers wasted little time clinching at least a tie in the North Division, pounding the Naturals behind a 15-hit attack from the offense and the brilliant right arm of winning pitcher Esmil Rogers (7-2). Anthony Jackson's three-run home run in the bottom of the third opened the floodgates, while Mike McKenry and Rex Rundgren added three RBI of their own. In all, the bottom four in the Tulsa order had 10 hits in 17 at-bats, while the top five had exactly one hit apiece in 21 at-bats. Rogers went the first eight innings, allowing one run on eight hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. In his last 10 starts, Rogers has nine quality starts, good for an ERA of 1.72 over that span.
Wednesday, June 24: postponed/rain
Thursday, June 25: L, 5-1 vs. Northwest Arkansas
The Drillers got off to a sluggish start after a rainout postponed the beginning of their second half, committing two errors in a three-run second inning by the Naturals. Starting and losing pitcher Chaz Roe (2-1) was the unfortunate victim of the shoddy defense, going five innings and allowing just the three runs (all unearned) with no walks and one strikeout. Second baseman Daniel Mayora provided all the pop the Drillers would get, blasting a solo home run in the bottom of the second.
Friday, June 26: L, 10-2 vs. Springfield (first half tiebreaker)
With the first-half North Division title on the line, the Drillers couldn't overcome a poor start and will have to rest their postseason hopes on a strong second half performance. Tulsa starter Jhoulys Chacin (6-6) ran into trouble early and often, allowing six runs (all earned) on eight hits with three walks and five strikeouts. He walked the first two batters of the game, allowing one run in the first, and never really found his groove. The Drillers also had a tough time at the plate, scoring their only runs on a fifth inning sacrifice fly by Anthony Jackson and a seventh inning solo homer by Daniel Mayora, his second home run in as many games. Tulsa had just five hits in the game, played before 7,893 hometown fans at Drillers Stadium.
Saturday, June 27: L, 9-0 vs. Springfield
After suffering through a tough loss in Friday's tie-breaker game, the Drillers suffered through a Saturday hangover against the Cardinals. In the five hit shutout loss, only one hit was for extra bases, a double by backup catcher Jose Gonzalez. Starting and losing pitcher Keith Weiser (5-6) was torched for eight runs in the first three innings (five earned), though he settled down a bit to complete five innings, striking out seven. Ryan Harvey was the most successful Tulsa batter, going 1-for-3 with a single and a walk in four trips to the plate.
Sunday, June 28: W, 6-4 vs. Springfield
Tulsa finally came through with a win over Springfield, rallying to beat the Cardinals by two. First baseman Mike Paulk had two singles, a double, two runs scored and an RBI, while Ryan Harvey belted his 11th home run of the season, a two-run insurance shot in the eighth that bumped the lead from 4-3 to 6-3. Closer Andrew Johnston pitched the ninth, earning his 22nd save in 23 chances despite allowing an unearned run and pitching around two errors. Harvey, whom the Cubs tried to convert to a pitcher before his release prior to the season, is now fourth in the Texas League in longballs.
ALUMNI REPORT (Through Sunday, June 21):
OF Matt Miller (2006-08) hit .171 over his last 10 games for Colorado Springs ... 3B Christian Colonel (2006-07) batted .306 (11-for-36) in his last 10 games ... 3B Mike Lamb (1999) has hit .435 with six RBI in his last six games.
South Division Notebook
CORPUS CHRISTI HOOKS (Houston Astros)
This week: 4-3; Second Half record: 4-1; Overall record: 35-40
T-1st place South, tied with Midland
Monday, June 22: L, 12-10 vs. San Antonio (10 innings)
The Hooks led by scores of 5-1 and 9-7, but couldn't hang on against the Missions. All nine batters in the starting nine had at least one hit, including pitcher Casey Hudspeth, while Drew Meyer, Jimmy Van Ostrand and Jason Castro all homered. Wladimir Sutil went just 1-for-5, but his two-run double in the fifth gave the Hooks their 9-7 lead. Castro's home run was his first at the Double-A level.
Tuesday, June 23: L, 3-2 vs. San Antonio (11 innings)
Wilton Lopez pitched his finest ballgame of the year for the Hooks, exiting with a 2-1 lead after six innings, but did not receive a decision. Lopez, who threw 50-of-66 pitches for strikes, struck out seven, walked one and allowed just three hits, retiring the final 10 batters he faced. Collin DeLome and Jhon Florentino each tripled and scored for the Hooks, while shortstop Wladimir Sutil nudged his average up to .302 with a 2-for-5 effort. Corpus Christi ended the first half in last place in the South Division at 31-39, eight games behind San Antonio.
Wednesday, June 24: W, 1-0 vs. San Antonio
Pinch hitter Jimmy Van Ostrand laced an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning, sending the Hooks past the Missions 1-0 in the first game of the second half of the Texas League campaign. Erick Abreu (1-0) earned the victory in relief, tossing one scoreless inning, while T.J. Burton notched his ninth save with a perfect ninth. Collin DeLome went 1-for-2 with a walk and scored the lone run of the ballgame.
Thursday, June 25: W, 1-0 vs. San Antonio
The Hooks once again outlasted the Missions 1-0, improving their record to a perfect 2-0 in the second half. In the bottom of the eighth inning with the score knotted at 0-0, Collin DeLome singled, stole second, went to third on an error and scored on a wild pitch. It was the second straight night that DeLome scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth. Starting and winning pitcher Polin Trinidad (7-5) threw eight scoreless innings, allowing six hits, no walks and striking out three Missions. In his last four starts, Trinidad is 3-1 with a 0.28 ERA (one earned run in 31 1/3 innings).
Friday, June 26: W, 10-3 @ Frisco
The Corpus Christi Hooks continued their strong start to the second half, blowing out Frisco on the road thanks to an eight-run fifth inning. Despite scoring just 10 runs in the game, all nine starters crossed the plate, while eight of the nine recorded base hits. Drew Meyer was the most productive man in the lineup, going 2-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBI. Sergio Perez (6-6) evened his record on the season, allowing two runs on four hits over seven innings. He walked two and struck out six.
Saturday, June 27: L, 9-3 @ Frisco
Casey Hudspeth's road horrors continued, as he was doused for five runs (all earned) on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings pitched. Along the way he walked four and did not strike out any of the 21 batters he faced. Collin DeLome and Mitch Einertson each hit solo homers for the Hooks, who were out-hit 14-7 by the RoughRiders. DeLome's homer was his Texas League-leading 15th of the season, while Einertson's was his sixth. Drew Locke also drove in a run, his league-best 71st of the season. Hudspeth now is 0-6 with a 10.47 ERA on the road, compared to a 4-0, 3.48 mark at home.
Sunday, June 28: W, 5-4 @ Frisco
In one of the more improbable games of the 2009 season, the Hooks rallied from down 3-0 in the top of the ninth to take a 5-3 lead, then had to hold on for dear life in a nail-biting bottom of the ninth. In the top half of the inning, following a Jimmy Van Ostrand RBI single, Brian Esposito hit a game-tying two run double, followed by a go-ahead triple by Jhon Florentino and an RBI single by Mark Ori. Then, with T.J. Burton on the mound to close out the game, a two-out RBI single and wild pitch put the tying run at third and winning run at second base. A sharply-hit grounder up the middle appeared to be enough to win the game for the RoughRiders, but Wladimir Sutil made a lunging, spinning play just shy of the outfield grass behind the bag at second, one-hopping a throw to nail the Frisco runner at first base to end the game. Burton grabbed his 11th save, making a winner out of Erick Abreu (2-0) for the second time this week.
ALUMNI REPORT (Through Sunday, June 21):
RHP Bud Norris (2008) had a 23-inning scoreless streak snapped, allowing two runs in the fourth in a loss to Oklahoma City ... LHP Josh Muecke (2006-07) was 1-0 with a 0.82 ERA in his last two starts ...C J.R. House (2006) batted .065 (2-for-31) over his last eight games.
FRISCO ROUGHRIDERS (Texas Rangers)
This week: 2-5; Second Half record: 1-4; Overall record: 34-41
T-3rd place South, 3.0 games behind Corpus Christi and Midland
Monday, June 22: L, 4-2 vs. Midland
In a two-run home loss, the RoughRiders outhit the RockHounds 10-6, but left 13 men on base. Tim Smith went 4-for-5 with a double and an RBI to pace the 'Riders, while Marcus Lemon went 2-for-4 to raise his average to .309, the only other 'Riders player to record a multi-hit game. The Frisco pitching staff walked 11 batters and struck out 13, but only allowed six hits. Pedro Strop, Thomas Diamond and Beau Vaughan combined to throw seven innings of shutout, one hit ball after starter David Kirkman (1-4) fell behind 4-0 in the second inning.
Tuesday, June 23: W, 3-1 vs. Midland
Tim Smith's two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning was the difference in the game, as the RoughRiders edged the RockHounds in the final game of the season's first half. Craig Gentry went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, raising his average to .300, while just-activated Justin Smoak went 2-for-3 to boost his mark to .331. Starting and winning pitcher Kasey Kiker (4-5) tossed seven innings, allowing just one run (unearned) with one walk and three strikeouts. The win, which knocked Midland out of playoff contention, gave Frisco a final record of 33-37 for the half, six games behind first-place San Antonio. With Smoak in the lineup, the 'Riders were 24-21 in the half.
Wednesday, June 24: L, 14-3 vs. Midland
The 'Riders allowed eight runs over the final two innings, dropping the first game of the season's second half. Dustin Majewski doubled and tripled in four at-bats for Frisco, while Manny Pina doubled home a pair of runs to cut the deficit to 6-3 in the bottom of the sixth. Centerfielder Craig Gentry was caught stealing in the game, the first time he had been nailed on a straight steal attempt this season. Four 'Hounds pitchers shared in the loss, including starting and losing pitcher Tanner Roark (1-1), who gave up four earned runs in two innings of work.
Thursday, June 25: L, 8-1 vs. Midland
When rehabbing Major Leaguer Dustin Nippert left with a 1-0 lead after four innings, things were looking up for the 'Riders. One-third of an inning later, Frisco found themselves down 7-1, on their way to a blowout loss to the RockHounds. Beau Jones (2-4) took the loss, allowing all seven runs on six hits and three walks. Pedro Strop relieved Jones with two on and one out, quickly inducing a double play to end the inning. Justin Smoak and Chad Tracy each had two hits and a walk in the game, while the 'Riders left 14 men on base.
Friday, June 26: L, 10-3 vs. Corpus Christi
For the second straight night, a big top of the fifth by a Frisco opponent did in the RoughRiders. After surrendering seven runs in the fifth against Midland on Thursday night, the 'Riders allowed eight more on Friday against the Hooks. This time it was starting pitcher Blake Beavan (0-1) who took the brunt of the rally, giving up seven of the eight runs in the inning and nine runs overall (six earned). Zachary Phillips made his Texas League debut in relief of Beavan, going the rest of the way and allowing just one run (unearned) in 4 2/3 frames. The lefthander had an ERA of 1.23 for Single-A Bakersfield.
Saturday, June 27: W, 9-3 vs. Corpus Christi
The RoughRiders earned their first win of the second half Saturday night, getting excellent evenings from Mitch Moreland and Tim Smith to turn away the Hooks. Moreland, a lefthanded hitter who was called up to Double-A exactly one month earlier, went 4-for-4 with three runs scored out of the second spot in the batting lineup, raising his average to .331. Smith, another big lefty who has also been in the Texas League for a short period of time, went 3-for-5 with a home run and five RBI, three of them coming via the longball. His average is even better, resting at .360 at the end of the day. Teammate Justin Smoak, batting third, was 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.
Sunday, June 28: L, 5-4 vs. Corpus Christi
In Frisco's last game before injured closer Jose Diaz was set to be activated, a shaky ninth inning by the bullpen turned out to be the difference in a one-run loss to the Hooks. The RoughRiders led 3-0 after eight innings, but gave up five in the ninth and lost in heartbreaking fashion in front of 7,447 at Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco. The rally denied a win to starting pitcher Kasey Kiker, who tossed six shutout innings, allowing just four hits and no walks while striking out six. Kiker, who has struggled with his control this season, used just 85 pitches in the outing and lowered his ERA to an even 3.00. The top of the 'Riders lineup was on the basepaths all afternoon, including the red-hot Tim Smith, who went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI, his 10th and 11th runs batted in during the week.
ALUMNI REPORT (Through Sunday, June 21):
1B/DH Emerson Frostad (2007-09) batted .353 over nine games ... OF Steven Murphy (2007-09) had a .115 average in his last nine games ... OF Joaquin Arias went 16-for-38 (.421) over nine games ... RHP Warner Madrigal (2008) was 2-0 with seven saves in eight chances ... RHP Clayton Hamilton (2008-09) pitched a scoreless ninth, earning his second save.
MIDLAND ROCKHOUNDS (Oakland Athletics)
This week: 5-2; Second Half record: 4-1; Overall record: 41-34
T-1st place South, tied with Corpus Christi
Monday, June 22: W, 4-2 @ Frisco
Starting and winning pitcher Graham Godfrey (7-4) had another impressive outing for the RockHounds, helping them keep pace one game behind the first-place Missions with one to play in the season's first half. Godfrey, a 2009 Texas League All-Star, went six innings while allowing two runs, lowering his ERA to 3.24. He has now allowed just five runs in his last 26 1/3 innings, a 1.71 ERA over that span. All-Star representatives Adrian Cardenas, Chris Carter, Josh Donaldson and Josh Horton combined to go hitless (0-for-11). The quartet struck out seven times, but did draw eight walks. Sam Demel earned his 11th save, lowering his ERA to 0.61 for the year.
Tuesday, June 23: L, 3-1 @ Frisco
In a must-win game, the RockHounds came up two runs short and eventually two games short in the Texas League's South Division. Starting pitcher Travis Banwart pitched an excellent game, allowing one run (unearned) on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts in six innings. Jon Hunton (0-2) took the ball in the seventh, failing to record an out before two runs had scored, while Arnold Leon closed the game out with two innings of scoreless, hitless relief. The offense, led most of the year by Tommy Everidge (promoted to Triple-A) and Corey Brown (injury), again suffered without the middle of the order duo, going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
Wednesday, June 24: W, 14-3 @ Frisco
Rightfielder Matt Sulentic had a career day, finishing a double shy of the cycle, carrying the RockHounds past the RoughRiders on the first day of the second half. Sulentic, who was making his first start in the leadoff spot, came to the plate with the bases loaded in the top of the ninth inning with a single, triple and home run up to that point. He drove a ball deep to the gap, clearing the wall for a grand slam home run, giving him six RBI and four runs scored in the ballgame. Carlos Hernandez (6-1) got the win in relief, going five innings after starter Daniel Barone left following the third. Barone, a minor league free agent, was added to the roster Tuesday. In a corresponding move, closer Sam Demel was promoted to Triple-A Sacramento after saving 11 games with a 0.61 ERA for the 'Hounds this season.
Thursday, June 25: W, 8-1 @ Frisco
The RockHounds pushed across seven runs in the fifth inning, cruising past the RoughRiders 8-1 and giving the victory to Daniel Haigwood (1-0), who went the first five full frames. All-Star shortstop Josh Horton went 4-for-5 with a double, while Josh Donaldson had two hits, drove in two runs and scored once. Three Midland relievers combined to throw four innings of scoreless, three hit ball to close out the game. The 'Hounds are off to a 2-0 start in the second half, after dropping 10-of-14 to finish second in the South Division in the first half.
Friday, June 26: L, 10-7 vs. San Antonio
The 'Hounds batted around in the first inning, scoring five runs, but couldn't hold the lead against the Missions. Starting and losing pitcher Jason Fernandez (6-6) was chased during a six-run second, allowing six hits, three walks and six earned runs in 1 2/3 innings pitched. Eight of the nine RockHounds batters recorded hits, including three by Josh Horton and one by Chris Carter, a two-run homer in the fifth inning that turned out to be the final scoring play of the ballgame.
Saturday, June 26: W, 6-4 vs. San Antonio
In a role-reversal from the season's first half, the RockHounds rallied late to stun the Missions by two. Chris Carter and Michael Affronti led the way, each going 3-for-4, while Josh Donaldson keyed a four-run eighth with a huge two-run double that gave Midland a 5-4 lead. Jon Hunton (1-2) threw two scoreless innings with three strikeouts out of the bullpen, before giving way to minor league veteran Steven Sharpe, who closed the Missions out in the ninth. Sharpe replaced closer Sam Demel after his promotion to Triple-A Sacramento.
Sunday, June 27: W, 11-7 vs. San Antonio
After losing four of the previous five home meetings with the Missions, the RockHounds jumped all over San Antonio for one run in the first, two in the second and third, and three runs in the fourth and fifth innings. All nine 'Hounds recorded at least one hit, while seven had multi-hit games as part of an 18-hit attack. Chris Carter stole the show on offense, going 2-for-3 with a double, homer and six runs batted in. His three-run shot in the fifth made the score 11-4, putting the game on ice. Matt Sulentic and Adrian Cardenas each recorded three hits in the game, while Matt Spencer hit a two-run homer. Travis Banwart (6-3) got the win, going five innings and allowing four runs on seven hits.
ALUMNI REPORT (Through Sunday, June 21):
INF Tommy Everidge (2007-09) batted .444 with three homers and nine RBI over a 10-game spurt ... 1B Jesus Guzman (2008) batted .147 in his last 20 games.
SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS (San Diego Padres)
*First Half South Division Champion*
This week: 3-4; Second Half record: 1-4; Overall record: 40-35
T-3rd place South, 3.0 games behind Corpus Christi and Midland
Monday, June 22: W, 12-10 @ Corpus Christi (10 innings)
The Missions lowered their magic number to one in the South Division Monday night, rallying to beat the Hooks in 10 innings. Recently-named Player of the Week Lance Zawadzki hit a grand slam home run in the fifth, while Craig Cooper and Brian Joynt hit solo homers in the seventh and eighth, respectively, to send the game to extra innings. Winning pitcher Evan Scribner (1-1) went the final two innings out of the Missions' pen, while also making his professional debut as a hitter. In the 10th, Scribner drew a crucial one-out walk that loaded the bases, setting up the winning runs.
Tuesday, June 23: W, 3-2 @ Corpus Christi (11 innings)
Deadlocked 2-2 in the ninth inning with the first half title still up in the air, the Missions received word that Frisco had knocked off Midland, handing the first half title to San Antonio. Two innings later, catcher Mitch Canham homered, giving the Missions the extra-inning win and a two-game margin over Midland in the Texas League's South Division. Four Missions relievers, including winning pitcher Rolando Valdez (2-0), combined to throw 5 1/3 hitless innings of relief to keep the Hooks at bay, while Eric Sogard and Cedric Hunter pitched in by going 5-for-11 with two runs scored. Lance Zawadzki also added an RBI double in the first, continuing his offensive tear at the plate. The Missions finished the half with a record of 39-31, best in the Texas League. The Missions won 12 of their final 15 games of the half.
Wednesday, June 24: L, 1-0 @ Corpus Christi
Missions starter Stephen Faris (3-9) turned in one of his best outings of the year, carrying a scoreless tie into the eighth inning, but came away with a tough-luck loss when the Hooks pushed across a run in the bottom of the eighth. Rightfielder Brian Joynt paced the Missions' offense, going 3-for-4 with a double, as San Antonio outhit Corpus Christi 9-5. Faris's loss was his league-leading ninth of the season.
Thursday, June 25: L, 1-0 @ Corpus Christi
San Antonio dropped its second-straight 1-0 decision to the Hooks, again surrendering one run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Starter Mat Latos needed just 49 pitches to complete five one-hit innings, while shortstop Lance Zawadzki went 3-for-4 with a double, raising his average to .370. Third baseman Logan Forsythe made his Missions debut, going 1-3, after hitting .322 in 66 games for Single-A Lake Elsinore. The shutout marked the first time the Missions had been blanked in back-to-back games since September 9, 2006 when they were shut out in both ends of a doubleheader by Wichita.
Friday, June 26: W, 10-7 @ Midland
After being blanked in two straight games by the Hooks, the Missions took a liking to the friendly confines of Citibank Ballpark in a win over the RockHounds. San Antonio racked up 13 hits, scoring all 10 of their runs in the first four innings. Cedric Hunter went 4-for-5 with two doubles, new third baseman Logan Forsythe went 3-for-4 and Brian Joynt belted a grand slam during a six-run second. Cesar Carrillo (4-4) survived a five-run Midland first to get the win, allowing seven runs (all earned) in five innings. The Missions 'pen continued its recent dominance, allowing no runs over the game's final four innings.
Saturday, June 27: L, 6-4 @ Midland
Normally reliable bullpen arms Mike DeMark (0-2) and Evan Scribner couldn't hang onto a 4-2 lead in the eighth inning, allowing four runs to the RockHounds which led to a two-run loss. DeMark, who took the loss after allowing three earned runs, had gone 26 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run, a span of 24 appearances dating back to April 30. Scribner blew his second save of the year in 14 chances. Craig Cooper led the Missions offensive attack with two doubles and two RBI, while Luis Durango had a pair of bunt singles. Nathan Culp, who started for the Missions, went seven innings and allowed two runs (one earned). Even with losses in three-of-four games, the Missions still have the Texas League's best record at 17-8 in June.
Sunday, June 28: L, 11-7 @ Midland
Losing pitcher Ernesto Frieri (7-4) and the Missions pitching staff were ambushed by the RockHounds, allowing at least one run in the first five innings. Frieri lasted just three innings, getting touched for five earned runs on nine hits, taking his first career loss to the 'Hounds in four decisions. Logan Forsythe and Mitch Canham each singled, tripled and scored once, while a two-run single by Craig Cooper added to a three-run ninth to make the final score respectable. The Missions were outhit 18-12 in the game.
ALUMNI REPORT (Through Sunday, June 21):
OF Mike Baxter (2008-09) hit .313 (10-for-32) over his last 10 games for Portland ... OF Chad Huffman (2007-08) was 2-for-32 (.063) over his last nine games ... OF Jason Bourgeois (2006) had a .333 average (15-for-45) in his last 10 games ... C Jeff Clement was hitting .220 in 22 games ... Bryan LaHair (2006) had a .323 average and nine RBI in eight games ... 3B Travis Denker (2009) was involved in his second triple play in four games, and has now been in on five during his career.
Alumni Report for former Texas League teams
EL PASO DIABLOS
1B Kevin Barker (1997-98) has seven homers in June, including six in his past 11 games.
ROUND ROCK EXPRESS
OF Jason Lane (2001) had one hit in 16 at-bats (.063) over his last six games ... 2B Keith Ginter (2000) is in a 2-for-20 funk for Charlotte.
WICHITA WRANGLERS
OF Jorge Padilla (2007) has hit .405 with five RBI and seven runs scored in his last 10 games for the Syracuse Chiefs ... OF Dee Brown (1999, 2004, 06) batted .389 (7-for-18) with five RBI over his last five games.
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This Week in Texas League History
June 29, 1914...In an 11-0 romp, Houston ran at will against the Austin battery of pitcher Bert Rorer, a local amateur, and catcher Cy Holt, stealing 14 bases. Rorer's inability to hold runners close to first base gave Holt no chance to thwart Houston's base stealing attempts. Every Houston player, except shortstop Bill Hille, had at least one theft, including pitcher Roger Edmondson, who stole two.
June 30, 1996...Jackson batters ripped 22 hits, blasting Tulsa 16-2. Tim Forkner led the Generals, going 5-for-6, with a double, home run and five RBI.
July 1, 1913...Fort Worth starting pitcher Charlie Veasey walked six, but limited San Antonio to just one hit, as he led the Panthers to a 4-0 win over the Bronchos. San Antonio's only hit came in the sixth inning, when pitcher Brown Rogers lined a single to left field.
July 2, 1931...It was an unusual, record setting day for Galveston shortstop Keith Molesworth. He played every inning of a double header versus Beaumont, yet did not touch the ball in either game, a span in the field of 14 innings during which he did not record a single assist or putout.
July 3, 1951...Dallas right hander Ray Narleski cruised to a one-hit, 4-0 win over Houston. A seventh inning single by Larry Miggins was the only hit Narleski allowed Houston in the game.
July 4, 1950...It was feast or famine for the Oklahoma City Indians in a holiday double header versus Fort Worth. In the opening game, the Indians lost 6-1, striking out 14 times versus hard-throwing Chris Van Cuyk. In the seven-inning finale, OKC turned the tables on the Cats when LeRoy Wheat three-hit Fort Worth, blanking them 12-0. Freddie Marsh led the Oklahoma City offense in the second contest with a double and a grand slam. The slam came off of Fort Worth player/manager Bobby Bragan, who was normally a catcher, who pitched the final two-thirds of an inning for the Cats.
July 5, 1909...In a 12-4 victory over Waco in the first game of a double header, San Antonio skipper Cap Leidy helped his club win the game by going a perfect 5-for-5. Contributing to the 17-hit San Antonio attack, winning pitcher Fred Winchell stroked two doubles.
July 6, 1989...Arkansas used a balanced 17-hit attack to bury Wichita 15-2. Trav's second baseman Geronimo Pena led the Arkansas offense with five hits in six times to the dish. Pena, who had three singles, a double and a triple in the game, also scored four times and drove in a pair.
Texas League Stories from June 30, 2009
- Travs Ready for Wednesday's All-Star Game - Arkansas Travelers
- Trumbo Chosen for Home Run Derby - Arkansas Travelers
- Texas League Update - TL1
- Blake Wood to DL; Johnson to return - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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