Back to the Future on Opening Night
April 15, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Midland RockHounds First Baseman Ryon Healy
(Midland RockHounds, Credit: Frank Longobardo)
RockHounds first baseman Ryon Healy went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run and five RBI as the 'Hounds snapped a three-game losing streak and won their 2016 home opener, 9-3 against the Arkansas Travelers on Thursday night in front of 6,188 fans at Security Bank Ballpark.
There was a time in the "old days" of the Angels and the Texas League West when offense was plentiful and three-hour, twenty-minute games were commonplace. Thursday night's home opener saw the RockHounds go "back to the future" in a 9-3 win over the Arkansas Travelers.
The victory came in front of a tremendous opening night crowd of 6,188 at Security Bank Ballpark, the third-largest crowd on opening night in Security Bank Ballpark's 15-year history.
Ryon Healy powered the RockHounds, going 3-for-5 with a double, home run and five runs batted in. Jaycob Brugman reached base three times, including an RBI double, scoring once and driving in a pair of runs, and Carson Blair added a two-run single.
The Travelers built a 2-0 lead, scoring single runs in each of the first two innings. The 'Hounds loaded the bases with no outs in the home half of the second, but scored only one run, and the run came on a double-play ball.
In the third, Brugman's one-out single and stolen base turned into the game-tying run when Healy ripped an RBI double to left-center field. Blair broke the tie with a two-run single, and the 'Hounds would not relinquish the lead.
Franklin Barreto lit the fuse on another three-run rally in the fourth, drawing a walk and stealing both second and third base. After J.P. Sportman drew a walk, Brugman greeted reliever Tyler DeLoach with a two-run double and Healy's two-run single built the lead to 7-2.
Healy capped the scoring with his first home run of the season, a line shot to left field, driving in his fourth and fifth runs of the game.
The RockHounds
... are 3-4 and snapped a three-game slide. The Texas League standings were, for all intents and purposes, unchanged, as the South swept all four games (the first dozen games of the season are cross-division play). Frisco (6-1) leads the South Division.
... continue their season-opening homestand at Security Bank Ballpark Friday night, hosting the Arkansas Travelers at 7:00 p.m. The clubs also meet Saturday night at seven, followed by a three-game set (Sunday-Tuesday) with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Tickets are on sale at the Security Bank Ballpark ticket office and online at midlandrockhounds.org.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT OF THE DAY ... from our "this game will keep you humble department." In their first match-up (April 8 at North Little Rock), starting pitchers Victor and Raul Alcantara faced off in a 2-0 pitcher's duel, won by Victor and the Travelers. The pair allowed two runs on seven hits, striking out 17 batters in a combined 11 innings. Thursday, the Travs' Victor Alcantara lasted just 3.1 innings, touched up for six runs on four hits. He walked six without striking out a batter. Raul and the RockHounds fared much better, but the right-hander's high pitch count (91) limited him to four innings, one short of the minimum to qualify for the decision. He allowed two runs on six hits, walking three and striking out three. Through three innings, the two starters had thrown a combined 141 pitches ... leading to the 3:24 time of game.
- After driving in five runs Thursday night, Ryon Healy now ranks second in the Texas League with eight RBI (coming in two games against Arkansas). His three-run double in the eighth inning on April 9 at North Little Rock broke a 1-1 tie in the RockHounds' 4-1 victory, and his five ribbies led the club in the home opener. The fourth-year pro was a Texas League All-Star for the 'Hounds' 2015 championship team.
Images from this story
 Midland RockHounds First Baseman Ryon Healy (Frank Longobardo) |
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Texas League Stories from April 15, 2016
- Two Big Innings Sink Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Marte's Big Night Guides Riders to 7-1 Win - Frisco RoughRiders
- Kipper's Gem Spoiled by Healy's Walk-Off - Arkansas Travelers
- Poncedeleon and Cardinals Blank Missions, 2-0 - Springfield Cardinals
- Mondesi Homers in Naturals' 7-1 Loss at Frisco - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Riders Game Notes - 7:05 p.m. vs. Northwest Arkansas Naturals - April 15, 2016 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Olt's Blast Leads Missions Offense over Cards - San Antonio Missions
- Back to the Future on Opening Night - Midland RockHounds
- Hooks Spoil ONEOK Field Opener - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Johnson Reaches Base Five Time in 9-3 Loss - Arkansas Travelers
- Six-Run Sixth Inning Propels Riders to Opening Night Win - Frisco RoughRiders
- Missions Claim Win in Cardinals Home Opener on Thursday - Springfield Cardinals
- Drillers Drop Opener Before Record Crowd - Tulsa Drillers
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