An Auspicious, Efficient Debut
Published on April 8, 2016 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Jaycob Brugman hit a three-run home run in the first inning, as the RockHounds scored six runs in the first two frames en route to a 7-2 season-opening win over the Arkansas Travelers at Dickey-Stephens Park on Thursday night. (Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds)
In the first inning of the season's first game, the RockHounds put one ball in play ... and scored three runs. Jaycob Brugman's three-run home run in the top of the first would help the two-time defending Texas League champions build a 3-0 lead. The 'Hounds then scored three more times in the second inning for a 6-0 lead, cruising to a 7-2 win over the Arkansas Travelers in the 2016 season opener.
Chris Jensen pitched six strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits, walking one and striking out six, to earn the win.
Arkansas starter Kyle McGowin struck out the game's first two batters, but then walked Ryon Healy and Matt Chapman, each on a full count. McGowin then went full on Brugman, who took the right-hander's 3-2 offering into the right field bullpen for a three-run home run.
In the second, with one out, Viosergy Rosa reached base on a strikeout and a passed ball. In his first Double-A at bat, Brett Vertigan found himself down, 0-2. He then sent a 1-2 McGowin pitch to left-center, setting the table for back-to-back RBI doubles from J.P. Sportman and Josh Rodriguez (the latter also on a 1-2 pitch). Sportman's double drove in two runs and Rodriguez's one, giving the 'Hounds a 6-0 lead.
Eric Aguilera had a pair of solo home runs for the Travelers and Franklin Barreto's RBI single in the fifth capped the RockHounds' scoring.
The RockHounds
... are the two-time defending Texas League champions. Winning three straight is, pardon the cliché, a daunting task. The last time a club won three (or more) consecutive TL crowns came between 1920 and 1925, when the Fort Worth Panthers captured six-in-a-row. Waco won three straight (sharing one title) exactly a century ago (1914, 1915 and 1916). Think that was a long time ago? The most popular film of 1922 (the year Fort Worth won its third straight TL championship) was Robin Hood ... starring Douglas Fairbanks. It was a silent movie.
... take on the Travelers Friday and Saturday before continuing to Springdale, Arkansas, for a three-game set with the NW Arkansas Naturals.
... open their home season next Thursday (April 14) at Security Bank Ballpark. The 'Hounds will host the Arkansas Travelers (April 14-16) and Northwest Arkansas Naturals (April 17-19) in a six-game home stand. Tickets are on sale now at the Security Bank Ballpark ticket office and online at midlandrockhounds.org.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT OF THE DAY: Jaycob Brugman's three-run shot Thursday night gave the 'Hounds a lead they would not relinquish. In earning Most Valuable Player honors during the 2015 playoffs (and leading the RockHounds to the TL title), Jaycob hit four home runs in six games. Adding Thursday night's homer to his playoff totals gives the former BYU star five home runs in his last seven games. Prior to last year's playoffs, Jaycob had hit six homers in 132 regular season games.
- The pitching staffs combined for 27 strikeouts in Thursday night's opener, meaning exactly half of the game's outs came via the whiff. RockHounds pitching struck out 14 batters while Travs pitchers had 13 K's.
- What a difference a year makes. In his 2015 season debut, Ryan Doolittle pitched one inning and allowed two solo home runs (against Northwest Arkansas). Thursday night, the right-hander again pitched one inning, this time striking out the side (on 13 pitches).
Texas League Stories from April 8, 2016
- Missions Escape with 5-4 Win on Friday - Springfield Cardinals
- Alcantara Dazzles in Debut, Travs Win 2-0 - Arkansas Travelers
- Clutch Relief Leads Drillers to First Win of 2016 - Tulsa Drillers
- Missions Even Series with 5-4 Win over Cards - San Antonio Missions
- Tulsa Trims Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Sadzeck Shines as Riders Win Again - Frisco RoughRiders
- Late Rally Falls Short as Roughriders Take Game 2 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Riders Game Notes - 7:25 p.m. at Northwest Arkansas Naturals - April 8, 2016 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Saturday Happy Hours at Arvest Ballpark for the 2016 Season - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers First Home Games of 2016 on Deck - Tulsa Drillers
- Aguilera Homers Twice in Opening Night Loss - Arkansas Travelers
- An Auspicious, Efficient Debut - Midland RockHounds
- Caldwell and Cards Take Opener in San Antonio, 3-1 - Springfield Cardinals
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