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Midland RockHounds

Happy Anniversary

August 22, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release


On August 12 of last year, the RockHounds defeated the Springfield Cardinals, 5-4, on Wade Kirkland's late night walk-off home run in the 14th inning at Security Bank Ballpark. The win helped push the 'Hounds to the South Division second half pennant and, ultimately, their second consecutive Texas League championship. It wasn't a year to the day, but the 'Hounds defeated Springfield, 4-3, in 13 innings on Sunday afternoon at Rocky Town, completing a three-game sweep of the Cardinals and taking a major step toward to a return trip to the postseason (see below).

Bruce Caldwell's two-run single in the second gave the Cardinals a 3-1 lead and the score held into the last of the ninth. Facing Josh Lucas (who was bidding for a league-leading 16th save), the 'Hounds got a one-out single from Joe Bennie and a ground rule double (on a 1-2 pitch) into the right field bullpen off the bat of Danny Oh. Brett Vertigan drew a walk, but Franklin Barreto, who has been red-hot at the plate (see below), popped out to first base. Beau Taylor then ripped a two-out single to right, scoring Bennie and Oh, tying the game at 3-3.

Both clubs had scoring chances "early" in extra innings but, thanks in large part to outstanding defense (see "J.P. Sportman," below), the 3-3 tie stood into the 13th. The 'Hounds then loaded the bases with no outs on two walks and a fielder's choice. Bennie, who drew the inning-opening base on balls, capped a notable 24-hour stretch (see "Stat of the Day," below) by hustling home when Chris Perry's pitch in the dirt bounced just far enough out of catcher Jesse Jenner's reach to allow Bennie to get to the dish, scoring the "anniversary" game-winner.

The RockHounds

... are 37-19 in the second half and 70-56 overall ... won their third straight game since snapping a four-game slide ... split their (six-game homestand (0-3 vs. Tulsa and 3-0 vs. Springfield) ... are 36-28 at Security Bank Ballpark and 34-28 on the road ... won the season series with Springfield, 9-3 (5-1 at Security Bank Ballpark and 4-1 at Hammons Field) ... finished the regular season 29-19 vs. the North Division.

... saw their lead over San Antonio in the Texas League South Division second half race expand to eight games with 14 games remaining. The RockHounds' magic number to clinch the second half title is eight ('Hounds wins and/or san Antonio losses). Minor League Baseball's web site(s), which list seven as the magic number, do not take into account the league's tie-breaking system. The correct number is eight.

... open a four-game series against the Hooks on Tuesday evening at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi (games are Tuesday-Friday, 7:05 p.m.). Monday is the final off / travel day for the Texas League's eight clubs. The 14 remaining games are all divisional play.

Kibbles & Bits

STAT of the DAY: Joe Bennie had a remarkable last 24 hours of the homestand. Saturday night, Bennie hit his first two home runs as a member of the RockHounds, driving in four runs in an 11-3 win. His Sunday afternoon started with a fielding error that helped Springfield take its 3-1 lead. He "atoned" by starting the game-tying rally in the last of the ninth with a one-out single and his leadoff walk in the 13th turned into the game-winning run when he hustled home on Chris Perry's pitch in the dirt.

- Franklin Barreto (3-for-5, run) has hit in 10 straight games (16-for-42, .381) and is hitting .355 in his last 37 games.

- J.P. Sportman (0-for-6) saw a six-game hit streak go by the boards, but saved at least two runs with a pair of outstanding plays in left field. He robbed Bruce Caldwell of extra bases with a diving catch on a sinking line drive in the 12th and threw Allen Staton out at home plate when Staton tried to score from second on Jesse Jenner's single to left in the 13th (a perfect, one-hop strike to catcher Beau Taylor). Despite the "oh-fer" Sunday, Sportman had eight RBI in the six-game homestand.

- Yairo Munoz (2-for-6) has hit in five straight games, going 8-for-19 (.421) with six runs, two doubles, home run, two RBI, four walks.

- Beau Taylor has hits in nine of 11 games (16-for-43, .372). He is tied for fourth in the Texas League at .282 and leads the TL with a .387 on-base percentage.

- Joel Seddon allowed three runs in five innings, but only one run was earned. In his last 11 starts, the right-hander is 7-2 with a 1.76 ERA. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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