Miller Time
September 1, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
When the San Antonio team bus departs for home after Friday's series finale, Ryan Miller may not want to get on board. The Missions catcher has hit seven home runs in 54 games this season ... 43 percent (okay, three) of them in a 26-hour span at Security Bank Ballpark. After leaving the yard twice on Wednesday, Miller's third home run of the series gave San Antonio a 3-1 lead and the Missions, denying bases-loaded threats in the eighth and ninth innings, defeated the RockHounds by that same score on Thursday night.
With the exception of Miller's homer, all the scoring came in the first inning. Singles from Franchy Cordero and Josh VanMeter set the table for San Antonio, with Nick Schulz' fielder's choice grounder and Gabriel Quintana's double to left producing a 2-0 lead. In the last of the first, Beau Taylor drew a two-out walk and Tyler Marincov drove him in with a double to left.
Both clubs played outstanding defense. Topping the list was Nelson Ward robbing Brett Vertigan of a base hit with a tremendous catch on a line drive to right in the first and Vertigan, in turn, making a spectacular catch on River Stevens' drive to wall in center field in the fourth. Several of the "web gems" preceded scoring plays, with the defenses perhaps denying as many (or more) runs than were put on the board.
San Antonio's Kyle Lloyd wrapped up an outstanding 2016 season, earning the win and improving to 7-7 (for a club 22 games under .500) and a 3.31 earned run average, ranking among the league's top five. Joel Seddon, although taking the loss, has provided one of the season's terrific storylines, overcoming a nightmarish start (17.69 ERA through three appearances) to finish 9-9, with a 4.40 ERA (1.84 in his last 13 starts).
The RockHounds
... are 42-23 in the second half and 75-60 overall ... are 40-29 at Security Bank Ballpark and 35-31 on the road ... have won five of seven ... are 4-1 in the regular season's final homestand (2-0 vs. Frisco and 2-1 vs. San Antonio) ... are 15-16 in the season series with the Missions (10-6 at Security Bank Ballpark and 5-10 at Nelson Wolff Stadium in San Antonio) ... are 46-41 vs. the South Division.
... will meet the Corpus Christi Hooks, for the second consecutive season, in the South Division Championship Series.
Games 1 and 2 are at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi - Wednesday, September 7 and Thursday, September 8 Games 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary) at Security Bank Ballpark - Friday, September 9 (Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 11 are if necessary) ... conclude the regular season's final home series, hosting the San Antonio Missions on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at Security Bank Ballpark. The RockHounds then travel to Frisco for a four-game, three day series with the RoughRiders. The clubs will play as scheduled at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday night and at 4:05 p.m. on Labor Day Monday and will play a doubleheader on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. (making up Monday's rainout in West Texas).
Kibbles & Bits
HECKUVA WEEK! On August 24, Max Schrock was playing for the Potomac Nationals, Washington's affiliate in the Class A-Advanced Carolina League. On August 25, he was acquired by Oakland from the Nationals (for reliever Mark Rzepczynski) and was assigned to the A's Advanced-A club in Stockton, California (a cross-country flight on anybody's GPS). After two games with the Ports, Schrock was called up to fill the spot vacated by Franklin Barreto's promotion, flying halfway back across the country, joining the RockHounds in time for Wednesday's game in West Texas. The 21-year-old native of Tacoma, Washington, was the Nationals' 13th round draft selection in 2015 out of the University of South Carolina, where he was teammate of RockHounds pitcher Joel Seddon. Schrock opened the year at the Single-A level (Hagerstown) with the Nats and was promoted to Potomac in late June. He is now hitting a combined .328 for the year and ranks second in Minor League Baseball with 170 hits.
Radio Note
With the arrival of football season, News-Talk 550 KCRS is host to high school, Texas Tech and Houston Texans football. On nights when both the RockHounds and football are scheduled, the 'Hounds will move to KMRK, My Country, 96.1-FM. Please look for a special link on the RockHounds web site (www.midlandrockhounds.org) for games of Friday, September 2 and Friday, September 9. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
• Discuss this story on the Texas League message board...
Texas League Stories from September 1, 2016
- Miller Time - Midland RockHounds
- Sadzeck Smothers Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Mount Comeback with Eight-Run 8th - Arkansas Travelers
- Sadzeck, Riders Shut out Hooks to Snap Skid - Frisco RoughRiders
- Naturals Fall to Drillers by a 5-1 Final - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Riders Game Notes - 7:05 p.m. vs. Corpus Christi - September 1, 2016 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Rangers to Promote Yohander Mendez to Big Leagues - Frisco RoughRiders
- Positive Vibe - Corpus Christi Hooks
- 2016 Texas League South Division Series - Corpus Christi Hooks
- 'Pyro in the Park' Set for Friday Night at Dickey-Stephens Park - Arkansas Travelers
- Fireworks to Highlight Final 2016 Drillers Homestand - Tulsa Drillers
- Drillers Fall in Extra Innings 5-4 - Tulsa Drillers
- Honors, All-Stars and the Long Ball - Midland RockHounds
- Travs & Cards Split Wednesday Doubleheader - Arkansas Travelers
- Naturals, Schwindel Drop Drillers in Extras - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Thornton Thwarts Riders - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Carroll Strong Again, But Bullpen Touched up in 4-2 Loss - Frisco RoughRiders
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
