An Omen of Historic Proportions?
Published on August 14, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
The RockHounds shut out the Springfield Cardinals, 3-0 on Thursday night Security Bank Ballpark, the club's 15th shutout of the season.
The 15 shutouts lead the Texas League and tie the all-time franchise record, a mark dating back 40 years to the 1975 Midland Cubs. Two notes on the '75 club - - it featured a future Hall of Famer (Bruce Sutter) and the Cubs played for the Texas League championship that season.
The 2015 RockHounds posted "number 15" behind the trio of (starter) Parker Frazier and relievers Andres Avila and Brendan McCurry, backed by outstanding (and errorless) defense. Frazier went the first six, allowing five hits and four walks while striking out three. It was the fourth time in Frazier's seven starts for the RockHounds, in which he has been involved in a shutout. The former Colorado Rockies farm hand (he pitched for Tulsa in the Texas League in 2012-13) lowered his ERA with the 'Hounds to 1.64.
Avila threw two perfect innings (17 of his last 18 pitches were strikes) and McCurry continued a breakthrough season, earning his second Double-A save (an ERA of 1.00 in seven appearances) and his 23rd in 24 opportunities overall, including 21-of-22 with (Advanced-A) Stockton.
The RockHounds broke a scoreless tie in the seventh, taking advantage of Cardinals reliever Chris Perry, who walked the bases loaded with one out. He then got ahead of Jaycob Brugman, but the 'Hounds center fielder ripped an 0-2 pitch in the gap to right-center, scoring two. Chad Pinder added his league-leading 77th RBI (sac fly) and the 'Hounds won their fifth straight, completing a three-game sweep of Springfield.
The RockHounds
... are 32-15 in the second half and 67-50 overall (again, a new season high at 17 games over .500) ... have won five straight and seven of their last eight ... beginning with the 26 games in 26 days (July 15-August 9), are 21-8 in their last 29 ... swept the three-game series against Springfield ... are 6-4 in series sweeps (1-1 versus Springfield) ... are 4-5 against the Cardinals (4-2 at Security Bank Ballpark and 0-3 at Hammons Field) ... are 38-21 at Security Bank Ballpark and 28-29 on the road ... are 45-33 vs. the South Division and 21-17 vs. the North.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT OF THE DAY: With NW Arkansas' Balbino Fuenmayor (a .354 average in 73 games with the Naturals) no longer qualifying, Chad Pinder now leads a very tight Texas League batting race (his .319 average is three points better than Corpus Christi's Jon Kemmer entering Friday's play). Pinder also leads the TL (by 11) with 77 RBI and his 14 home runs are three behind the league leader.
Chad has hit in 16 straight games (24-for-71, .338) ... 34 of 35 games (.362) and in 50 of his last 55 games (.350).
Texas League South: Thursday was a great night for the 'Hounds ... in and out of Security Bank Ballpark. Each of the other South Division clubs lost, so the RockHounds expanded their lead over all three teams. The first half champion Corpus Christi Hooks (26-21) are now six games back ... Frisco (21-25) falls to 10.5 games out and San Antonio (20-27) trails the 'Hounds by a dozen games (with 23 games remaining).
Some of "us" are superstitious, so call this the "Knock On Wood" Department.
- The RockHounds magic number to eliminate Frisco from the second half race is down to 13. If the 'Hounds eliminate Frisco, they clinch a playoff berth (as either the second half champion or a wild card).
- In the second half pennant race with Corpus Christi, the number is 18 (and here's why the second half title is so important): If Corpus wins the second half, the Hooks would host games one, two and five (if needed) of the best-of-five divisional playoff. If the 'Hounds win the second half pennant, they would host games three, four and five (as needed) at Security Bank Ballpark.
Texas League Stories from August 14, 2015
- Drillers Get Rain-Shortened Victory in Midland - Tulsa Drillers
- Early Onslaught Dooms Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Naturals Power Past Corpus Christi in Series Opener - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Weekend Highlights: August 14 - August 16 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- An Omen of Historic Proportions? - Midland RockHounds
- Drillers Battle Back to Claim Game, Series from Frisco - Tulsa Drillers
- Travs Take Finale - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Newcomb Earns First Win as Travs Snap Skid - Arkansas Travelers
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