Walk-Off Walk ... this Game Will Keep You Humble
August 19, 2015 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Chad Pinder of the Midland RockHounds
(Midland RockHounds, Credit: Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds)
In his first seven appearances with the RockHounds (nine innings), Brendan McCurry had not walked a batter, while striking out 13.
After running those totals to no walks and 15 K's with a 1-2-3 eighth inning Tuesday at Springfield, Brendan walked four batters (one of them intentionally) in the last of the ninth, the last a "walk-off" walk, as the Cardinals defeated the RockHounds, 4-3, at Hammons Field.
Patrick Wisdom, who had driven in Springfield's first two runs, opened the ninth with a walk and Nick Martini, showing "bunt" on each delivery, walked on four pitches. After Mike O'Neill's sacrifice bunt pushed Wisdom and Martini to second and third, respectively, the 'Hounds elected to put Charlie Tilson on intentionally, loading the bases. McCurry struck Aledmys Diaz out on a nasty breaking pitch away, then went to a full count against Bruce Caldwell. After fouling off three, two-strike pitches, Caldwell drew the game-winning base on balls on the ninth pitch of the plate appearance, bringing Wisdom home for the 4-3 win.
The RockHounds had virtually the same scoring opportunity in the eighth, sparked by Chad Pinder's lead-off double, followed by a Matt Olson walk, a sacrifice bunt from Anthony Aliotti and an intentional walk to Bruce Maxwell. Cardinals catcher Michael Ohlman made a heads-up play on Beau Taylor's swinging bunt, making the play and getting to the plate just ahead of Pinder for a force out, denying the go-ahead run. Jaycob Brugman then bounced out to second to end the threat. The 'Hounds left 12 runners on base, including five (combined) in the last two innings.
The RockHounds
... are 34-17 in the second half and 69-52 overall (after reaching a new season high at 18 games over .500 at 69-51) ... have won seven of their last nine and 9-of-12 ... are 23-10 in their last 33 games (a .697 winning percentage) ... are 4-6 against Springfield (4-2 at Security Bank Ballpark and 0-4 at Hammons Field ... are 41-22 at Security Bank Ballpark and 28-30 on the road ... are 45-33 vs. the South Division and 24-19 vs. the North).
Kibbles & Bits
STAT OF THE DAY: A follow-up to our last "Stat of the Day" - - - We mentioned Chad Pinder went without a hit last Friday and Saturday (with the game-winning RBI Saturday), just the third time since May 28 & 29 that he had gone hitless in back-to-back games. Chad went 4-for-5, with two doubles, driving in all three runs for the 'Hounds Tuesday. He is now 7-for-10 in his last two games, with three runs, three double and four RBI. Chad leads the batting race (.323) by five points over Corpus Christi's Jon Kemmer, and his 82 RBI lead the Texas League by 13.
Texas League South: All three of the RockHounds' "pursuers" gained ground with wins in cross-division games. Corpus Christi (29-22) moved to within five games with an 8-4 win (at home) over Arkansas ... Frisco (24-26) moved to within 9.5 games with a (14-inning) win over the Drillers at Tulsa ... and San Antonio (24-27) is now 10 games back after a 3-0 (home) shutout of the NW Arkansas Naturals.
Magic numbers:
- Ten (10) to clinch a playoff spot (eliminating Frisco) ... combination of RockHounds wins and RoughRiders losses
- Fifteen (15) to clinch the second half pennant (over Corpus Christi) ... combination of RockHounds wins and Hooks losses
Games remaining:
The RockHounds have 19 games to play in the regular season: Frisco (six, three home and three road), Corpus Christi (four, home), San Antonio (four, road), Tulsa (three, road) and Springfield (two, road).
Roster Moves: Reliever Tucker Healy (right forearm strain) was placed in the disabled list, retroactive to August 14, and infielder Anthony Aliotti has been activated from the temporarily inactive list (he was back in the line-up Tuesday night).
Images from this story
 Chad Pinder of the Midland RockHounds (Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds) |
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Texas League Stories from August 19, 2015
- Newcomb Guides Travs Back to Win Column - Arkansas Travelers
- Missions' Win Streak Snapped in Rout - San Antonio Missions
- Bats Erupt to Even Series in 12-2 Win at San Antonio - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Midland Takes Middle Game to Even Series on Wednesday - Springfield Cardinals
- Urias, Drillers Top RoughRiders 2-1 - Tulsa Drillers
- Cabrera Tosses Complete Game, But Riders Fall 2-1 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Bring Your Dog to the RoughRiders' August 26 Game - Frisco RoughRiders
- Walk-Off Walk ... this Game Will Keep You Humble - Midland RockHounds
- Drillers Fall to Frisco in 14 Innings - Tulsa Drillers
- Brinson's Clutch Night Sends Frisco to Win in 14th Inning - Frisco RoughRiders
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