Tufts Shuts Down Hounds
Published on May 14, 2013 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
With the bases empty and two out in the third inning, Frisco's Odubel Herrera singled to center field. Brett Nicholas then fouled a ball off his foot (or perhaps his ankle or shin) and crumbled to the ground at home plate. After trying to "walk it off," and a conversation with his manager and athletic trainer, Nicholas stepped back into the batter's box. Moments later, he sent Zach Neal's 2-1 pitch out 410-plus feet, out of the ballpark to straightaway center field, breaking a scoreless tie. It's likely that Brett's foot felt "just fine" as he rounded the bases, having found a cure for the pain in the form of a two-run homer.
That swing would decide the game, with Frisco adding insurance runs in the seventh on a solo home run from Chi-Hsien Chiang and an RBI double from Nicholas.
The 'Hounds were left to wonder "what might have been" after loading the bases with one out in the top of the first, only to come up empty. Chad Oberacker singled (on an 0-2 pitch) to open the game and stole second. A one-out walk to Anthony Aliotti and a Jake Goebbert single loaded the bases, but Dusty Coleman grounded up the middle into a 4-3 double play, and the threat went by the boards. Frisco right-fielder Chiang then robbed Josh Whitaker of an extra-base hit leading off the second, and the RockHounds didn't threaten the rest of the way.
South Division
Division-leading Corpus Christi blasted San Antonio, 13-3, maintaining a two-game lead over Frisco. San Antonio drops to three games back and the 'Hounds (1-4 on the road trip) are now five games behind the Hooks.
Kibbles & Bits
- Anthony Aliotti was named Texas League Batter of the Week for May 6-12. Despite going 0-for-3 Monday, "Ali" leads the league with a .357 average. Aliotti was 6-for-13 in the San Antonio series, with two home runs and four RBI.
- Over the weekend, Josh Whitaker was promoted to the RockHounds from Stockton of the (Advanced-A) California League. He hit .283 with Eight home runs and a team high 28 RBI in 30 games for the Ports (managed by former RockHounds manager Webster Garrison). The Georgia native was selected by Oakland in the 25th round of the 2010 draft out of Kennesaw State (GA) University.
- The RockHounds and RoughRiders play back-to-back morning games (11:05 first pitch) Tuesday and Wednesday, then conclude the four-game series Thursday night at 7:05. With the (weekday) morning games being played during "Rush & CO." on News-Talk 550, there will be no broadcasts of those two games. RockHounds Radio returns Thursday evening (7:00).
Texas League Stories from May 14, 2013
- Travs Make It Five Straight Tuesday - Arkansas Travelers
- Naturals' Bats Quieted in Loss - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Cardinals Swing Past Drillers, 4-2 - Springfield Cardinals
- Cards Outscore Drillers 4-2 - Tulsa Drillers
- Frisco Unable to Hang on in Late Game Rally - Frisco RoughRiders
- Naturals to Host BeerFest at May 31st Game - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Burgess Bombs Missions - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Tufts Shuts Down Hounds - Midland RockHounds
- Witherspoon Provides Walkoff Homer Monday - Arkansas Travelers
- Cardinals Knock 17 Hits for 10-4 Win in Tulsa - Springfield Cardinals
- Cards Strike Early to Beat Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
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