Ryon, Dylan & the Duck
May 4, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Midland RockHounds Pitcher Dylan Covey
(Midland RockHounds, Credit: Alan Jamison)
Sounds like a Disney movie. Instead, Ryon (Healy), Dylan (Covey) and the (AFLAC) Duck were the stars of the show at Security Bank Ballpark as the RockHounds won the opener of a four-game series with the Corpus Christi Hooks, 3-1.
The 'Hounds took a two-run lead in the first on Healy's sixth home run of the season. With one out, Jaycob Brugman sent an opposite field single to left (against a Hooks defensive shift) and Healy then took David Paulino's 2-1 offering out over the high wall in left with the ball landing about half way up the grass berm. The RBI's were Ryon's league-leading 26th and 27th of the season (see "Stat of the Day," below).
The game stayed 2-0 until the seventh thanks to outstanding pitching and solid defense. After giving up the home run to Healy, Paulino (rated the Houston Astros' # 7 prospect by Baseball America) allowed just two singles and two walks over the next four innings.
Covey, pitching into the eighth inning for just the fourth time in his pro career, was outstanding throughout. The right-hander pitched 6.2 scoreless innings before giving up a solo home run to Chase McDonald. The Hooks' designated hitter ripped his seventh homer of the season, a 400-foot line drive that left the ballpark just to the right of the batter's eye, cutting the lead to 2-1.
The RockHounds answered the McDonald home run in the home half of the seventh with the game's only "manufactured" tally. Danny Oh led off with a single and went to second on what was deemed (after some discussion by the umpiring crew) a wild pitch. He advanced to third on Brett Vertigan's perfect sacrifice bunt and scored on an RBI single from catcher Andy Paz (playing in just his second Double-A game).
Covey, in all likelihood, came within one pitch of completing eight innings, but walked catcher Alfredo Gonzalez (after getting ahead of him, 0-2) with one on and two out in the eighth. Aaron Kurcz retired James Ramsay to end the threat and followed with a 1-2-3 ninth for his third save. Covey earned the win, lowering his ERA to 1.91 and struck out seven batters, one shy of his career high.
Special thanks go out to AFLAC (and, of course, the Duck). The company's annual night at the ballpark with the RockHounds produced a paid attendance of 7,888 ... eighth-largest in franchise history.
The RockHounds
... are 16-9 (9-2 at Security Bank Ballpark and 7-7 on the road) ... have won seven of their last eight ... and are 5-0 versus Corpus Christi.
... remain 2.5 games behind first place Frisco, as the RoughRiders shut out the Missions in San Antonio, 3-0. Frisco improves to a league-best 18-6 and the Riders pushed their lead over Corpus Christi back to seven games while dropping San Antonio 9.5 games back.
... continue their four-game set with the Corpus Christi Hooks (Double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros) on Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. A reminder that Thursday's game is a Cinco de Mayo celebration with a Thirsty Thursday and postgame fireworks, followed by adult jersey giveaway night Friday. First pitch on Thursday and Friday is at 7:00 p.m.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT OF THE DAY In his last 19 games, Ryon Healy is hitting .395, with eight doubles, two triples, six home runs and 24 runs batted in. The 2015 Texas League All-Star realized early this spring that, with Oakland's Triple-A roster crowded, a return to the 'Hounds was likely. Manager Ryan Christenson says Healy accepted the return with an outstanding attitude and sights set on taking his game to a higher level. He has done just that, hitting .359 with six home runs and a league-best 27 RBI.
Images from this story
 Midland RockHounds Pitcher Dylan Covey (Alan Jamison) |
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Texas League Stories from May 4, 2016
- Frisco Continues Streak against San Antonio with Late Rally - San Antonio Missions
- Extra Inning Loss Extends Drillers Losing Streak - Tulsa Drillers
- Riders Game Notes - 7:05 p.m. at San Antonio Missions - May 4, 2016 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Bader and Morales Named St. Louis Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month - Springfield Cardinals
- O'Hearn Homers in Debut But Naturals Fall to Cardinals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Bader and the Cards Blast the Naturals, 10-6 - Springfield Cardinals
- 1st-Place Cardinals Take Opener in Northwest Arkansas, 5-1 - Springfield Cardinals
- Ryon, Dylan & the Duck - Midland RockHounds
- Hooks Handcuffed in Opener - Corpus Christi Hooks
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