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Midland RockHounds

RockHounds Recess-Itate, Sweep Naturals

April 19, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release


Midland RockHounds Right Fielder Brett Vertigan on Base
Midland RockHounds Right Fielder Brett Vertigan on Base
(Midland RockHounds, Credit: Alan Jamison)

On Safety Awareness Day, with a ballpark audience comprised largely of school kids, the RockHounds "recess-itated," erasing an early 4-0 deficit and breaking a 4-4 tie in the last of the ninth with a "walk-off walk." The 5-4 victory gave the 'Hounds a sweep of the three-game series against Northwest Arkansas Naturals, with each game decided by a single run.

Northwest Arkansas jumped out to a quick 4-0 advantage on a pair of two-run home runs - - - Hunter Dozier in the first and Allan de San Miguel in the second - - - both off starter Raul Alcantara.

Jaycob Brugman drove in Brett Vertigan (see below) with a two-out single in the fifth and the 'Hounds "Frankensteined" (pieced together) three runs in the sixth (on a balk, ground out and error) to tie the game.

Bobby Wahl (in his 2016 debut) and Andres Avila were outstanding out of the bullpen, pitching 3.1 scoreless innings and giving the RockHounds the opportunity to come back in the contest. Avila went two-and a third before walking two batters with one out in the top of the ninth. Ryan Doolittle then capped a terrific performance from the 'pen by inducing an inning-ending double-play (and earning the win).

Brugman led off the ninth against reliever Benino Pruneda, Jr. with a single up the middle. Healy then continued his remarkable trend of providing key, late-game hits by ripping a double to the gap in left-center. After Matt Chapman was walked intentionally, Pruneda fell behind Carson Blair, 3-0, walking him two pitches later to force in the game-winner (a "hat trick" for Blair, his third walk of the game).

The RockHounds

... are 7-5 (including a 5-1 mark at Security Bank Ballpark) through the season's first dozen games, going 4-2 against the Arkansas Travelers and splitting three-game home sweeps with Northwest Arkansas. The RockHounds also gained a game on first-place Frisco (9-3) and second-place Corpus Christi (8-4), as both the Riders (8-7 at home vs. Arkansas) and Hooks (6-3 at Springfield) dropped decisions in Tuesday day games.

The 'Hounds open an eight-game road trip Thursday (Wednesday is a league-wide off/travel day).

- Thursday, April 21 through Sunday, April 24 vs. San Antonio Missions (San Diego Padres' AA affiliate)

- Monday, April 25 through Thursday, April 28 vs. Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston Astros' AA affiliate)

- The RockHounds' next home stand is an eight-gamer, opening Friday, April 29. The 'Hounds will host the same two division rivals they will face on the upcoming road swing - - the San Antonio Missions (April 29-May 2) and the Corpus Christi Hooks (May 3-6).

Kibbles & Bits

STAT OF THE DAY Beginning Thursday, the Texas League schedule kicks into high (bus) gear, with 38 games in 39 days (April 21- May 29). The first 32 of those games are divisional play (of the 140-game TL schedule, 92 are played within the respective divisions).

- Brett Vertigan busted out of a 2-for-18 mini-slump, going 3-for-4, with a run scored and a stolen base. His first two hits, both infield singles, came on at bats that started with 0-2 counts, and his only out was a 12-pitch AB in which he struck out after fouling off six, two-strike pitches.

- Ryon Healy went 2-for-5, including another clutch hit, this one a ninth-inning double that was the key swing in the game-winning rally.

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Images from this story

Midland RockHounds Right Fielder Brett Vertigan on Base
Midland RockHounds Right Fielder Brett Vertigan on Base
(Alan Jamison)		   

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