A Loss ... and a Standing Ovation
July 19, 2015 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Colin Walsh went 4-for-5 with two doubles and three runs scored as the RockHounds rallied for seven runs in the ninth inning, but fell just short in an 11-10 loss to the San Antonio Missions on Saturday night at Security Bank Ballpark. (Saydee Bailey)
Going into the last of the ninth inning, the Security Bank Ballpark crowd of 5,673 was, for all intents and purposes, patiently waiting for a postgame fireworks show, with the home team trailing, 11-3.
By the time the inning ... and the game ... was over, many of those same fans were giving the RockHounds a standing ovation ... even in defeat.
Still down, 11-3, with the bases empty and two out, the 'Hounds scored seven runs, the last three on a Ryon Healy bases-loaded triple (and very nearly a game-tying grand slam) that cut the deficit to one with the tying run at third. A ground out then ended the rally, but what a rally.
Missions closer Tayron Guerrero entered the game in the ninth and got two quick outs. Center fielder Alberth Martinez then misplayed Chad Oberacker's line drive, and the RockHounds jumped at the opportunity. Colin Walsh's league-leading 27th double and a walk to Rangel Ravelo loaded the bases, and another walk (this one to Renato Nuñez) forced in the first run of the inning. Chad Pinder (after falling behind, 0-2, to start the at bat) ripped a two-run double to right field, chasing Guerrero. Missions reliever Adam Cimber then walked Matt Olson (his 72nd, also a league-high total) to re-load the bases. Josh Whitaker drew a walk to make the score 11-7 and Healy followed with a bases-clearing triple (his first of the year), a high drive to left that nearly cleared the wall. Cimber then got Bruce Maxwell on a ground out to second.
The Missions broke a 3-3 tie with a four-run fifth and seemed to break the game open with four more runs in the sixth. Two came on a home run into the right field short porch off the bat of Taylor Lindsay and two more on Yeison Asencio's double to left, his fourth hit of the game.
The win was the Missions' first in the four-game series after the 'Hounds had captured the first three games.
The RockHounds
... are 14-8 in the second half and 49-43 overall (after reaching a season high seven games over .500 at 49-42) ... have won 5-of-their-last-7 ... won the (four-game) series with San Antonio, 3-1 ... lead the season series with the Missions, 15-9 (8-4 at home and 7-5 at Nelson Wolff Stadium) ... are 29-17 at Security Bank Ballpark and 20-26 on the road ... are 30-2 vs. the South Division and 19-17 vs. the North.
- Texas League South: San Antonio and Corpus Christi each avoided a series sweep with road wins Saturday. While the Missions were holding off the 'Hounds, the Hooks built a 12-1 lead at Frisco and handed the RoughRiders just their third loss in 12 games, 12-4. The RockHounds hold their half-game lead over Frisco (13-8) with Corpus Christi (11-11) trailing by three games and San Antonio (9-13) back to within five.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT OF THE DAY: Texas League Pitcher of the Week Jonathan Joseph allowed one run over 14 innings in two starts against Northwest Arkansas. Saturday night the Missions got to the right-hander for 10 runs (nine earned) on 13 hits in 5.1 innings.
- Chad Pinder extended his hit streak to 12 games, going 2-for-5 with a two-run double in the ninth-inning rally. Chad is hitting .353 (18-for-51) in the 12-gamer and is now at .304 for the season, ranking fifth in the Texas League. The two RBI in the ninth brought his RBI total to a team-leading 51, tied for second in the league.
- Along with Pinder, Chad Oberacker and Colin Walsh also rank among the league's top 10 hitters. "Obie", who has been among the league leaders all season, is currently 10th at .289. A 4-for-5 night (with two doubles and a stolen base) pushed Colin into seventh in the TL at .295. He leads the league in doubles (27), extra-base hits (39) and on-base percentage (.423) and is tied for third in slugging percentage (.483).
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Texas League Stories from July 19, 2015
- Hooks Harness 'Hounds - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Wisdom Swings Cards Close, But Travs Escape with 3-2 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Drillers Strike Late to Beat Naturals - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Fall to Tulsa in Series Opener - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Needy's Complete-Game Effort Sparks Missions in Opener - San Antonio Missions
- Six Unearned Runs Send Riders to Loss - Frisco RoughRiders
- A Loss ... and a Standing Ovation - Midland RockHounds
- Travs Hold on in Another One-Run Thriller - Arkansas Travelers
- Hooks Rout Riders - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Drop Drillers 5-4 in Homestand Finale - Tulsa Drillers
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