A Taste of Their Own Medicine
May 30, 2015 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Midland RockHounds Designated Hitter Josh Whitaker Homers
(Midland RockHounds, Credit: Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds)
RockHounds designated hitter Josh Whitaker connects on a three-run homer in the first inning of Friday night's 8-6 loss to the Springfield Cardinals at Security Bank Ballpark. (Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds)
In their series sweep of Tulsa, the RockHounds scored the last seven (Tuesday), eight (Wednesday) and nine (Thursday) runs of the game.
Friday night, the 'Hounds were at it again, erasing a 3-0 first-inning deficit with a four-run home half of the inning and adding two more in the third for a 6-3 lead. The Springfield Cardinals then turned the tables, scoring the game's final five runs, to earn an 8-6 victory in the opener of a three-game series at Security Bank Ballpark.
Michael Ohlman's two-run double helped give Springfield the early (3-0) advantage, but the RockHounds responded with Josh Whitaker's three-run home run in the last of the first and Carson Blair added an RBI single to center field to give the RockHounds the lead at 4-3. Blair's bases-loaded walk (his 11th RBI in the first four games of the home stand) and a single from Ryon Healy built the lead to 6-3 in the third.
After giving up the three runs in the first, 'Hounds starter Tim Atherton settled in, allowing just one hit over the next four innings and retiring 12-of-13 batters in the that stretch. He departed after giving up three hits in the sixth, the last of those Patrick Wisdom's RBI single which brought the Cardinals to within 6-4. Andres Avila relieved Atherton, allowing a sacrifice fly and Charlie Tilson's game-tying single.
Jeremy Hazelbaker opened the seventh with a perfect bunt single, and scored the eventual game-winning run on a Nick Martini single. Springfield added an insurance run later in the inning on a bases-loaded catcher's interference.
Colin Walsh walked and Matt Olson doubled with two out in the ninth, but Cardinals closer Kyle Barraclough struck out Whitaker to end the game. In seven appearances out of the Springfield bullpen Barraclough (pronounced "bear claw") has been nearly perfect, recording three saves in as many chances. He has pitched seven-and-two-thirds scoreless innings, allowing two hits and four walks while striking out 11.
Images from this story
 Midland RockHounds Designated Hitter Josh Whitaker Homers (Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds) |
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