TL1 Midland RockHounds

A Time-Honored Tradition: the 70-Minute Base on Balls

June 1, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release


At 6:54 p.m. on Tuesday, the RockHounds' Yairo Munoz was waiting for a 3-2 pitch in the last half of the first inning. He walked at 8:04 p.m.

The 'Hounds and Springfield Cardinals had not yet completed a full inning when the clubs were delayed ... by an hour and 10 minutes ... at Security Bank Ballpark. Ironically, the RockHounds led, 4-0, in the first inning when the rains came, scored once more in the first after the delay, and the teams played scoreless baseball the rest of the way.

The RockHounds loaded the bases against Springfield starter Corey Baker in the first on an error, J.P. Sportman's single and a walk to Matt Chapman. A two-run single from Viosergy Rosa opened the scoring, with Tyler Marincov's bad-hop single and Franklin Barreto's single to center building the lead to 4-0. With one out, and Munoz at the plate, the storm's intensity increased (the rain had been falling for much of the inning) and play was halted. When the game resumed, Munoz walked and Brett Vertigan's single to center field capped the scoring.

The game was "all goose-eggs" after the first inning thanks to a brilliant performance from both bullpens (see below).

The RockHounds

... are 26-24 (13-10 at Security Bank Ballpark and 13-14 on the road) ... broke a two-game slide ... are 3-1 versus Springfield ... snapped the Cardinals' four-game win streak ... are 11-8 versus the North Division ... recorded their fourth shutout of the season (their first since May 5).

... are within 4.5 games of first-place Frisco (30-19), as the RoughRiders were rained out at home against Tulsa on Tuesday (the clubs will attempt a doubleheader Wednesday in the Metroplex). Corpus Christi, after winning at Arkansas, 4-3, with a three-run rally in the ninth, is now just a one-half game behind Frisco. Frisco has 21 games remaining, while the RockHounds and Hooks have 20 games to play.

... continue their six-game homestand, hosting the Cardinals on Wednesday (6:30 p.m.) and Thursday (7:00 p.m.) evenings at Security Bank Ballpark, followed by a three-game weekend series with the Tulsa Drillers. The stand includes Thirsty Thursday ... Cap Night (Friday), postgame fireworks (Saturday) and an appearance by the amazing Cowboy Monkey Rodeo on Sunday afternoon (2:00 p.m. first pitch).

Kibbles & Bits

STAT of the DAY ... and another example of how misleading a "stat" can be. Chris Jensen failed to go five innings (or more) for just the ninth time in 65 career starts with the RockHounds. Jensen threw a 1-2-3 first (two strikeouts) ... then came the rain and the delay.

- The rain delay (1:10) lasted more than half as long as the game itself (2:07).

- The two bullpens were sensational Tuesday night, combining for 15.2 shutout innings. The only run in which relievers were involved came on Brett Vertigan's RBI single in the first (off Pedro Echemendia). The hit scored the final run of the game and was charged to starter Corey Baker. The Cardinals' Echemendia (4.2 IP) and Joey Donofrio (3.0 IP, four K's) and the Hounds' Ben Bracewell (4.0, win), Trey Cochran-Gill (3.0) and Kyle Finnegan (a 1-2-3 ninth) kept the game scoreless after the first, allowing a total of six hits and four walks with 13 strikeouts.

- Vertigan (1-for-4, run, RBI) has hit in five straight games (8-for-20, .400) and in 10 of his last 11 games (16-for-45, .356).

- Viosergy Rosa entered Sunday's game (at Tulsa) with four hits in his last 38 at-bats. He went 2-for-4 with a double on Sunday and went 1-for-3 with two RBI on Tuesday.

Check out the Midland RockHounds Statistics



Texas League Stories from June 1, 2016


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