And the South Shall Rise Again
Published on August 20, 2016 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
RockHounds center fielder Brett Vertigan went 3-for-5 with a double and a career-high four RBI in Friday night's 9-3 win over the Springfield Cardinals at Security Bank Ballpark. (Forrest Allen) With all four teams in the Texas League South Division winning on Friday night, as the final set of cross-division games in the regular season got underway, the RockHounds' 9-3 win over Springfield might not seem significant. What it did, however, was break a four-game losing streak ... break a three-game slide at home ... and maintain a six-game lead in the division with 16 games to go in the season. In short - - order restored.
Daniel Gossett provided a "quality start" and the RockHounds backed his effort by scoring twice in each of the first three innings before capping the scoring with a three-run fifth, building the lead to 9-1.
Yairo Munoz and Brett Vertigan keyed the offense, each continuing an outstanding performance in the homestand (see below). Munoz had a perfect night at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a two-run home run, two walks and two runs scored, while Vertigan drove in a career-high four runs (he was 3-for-5 with a double, a run and the four ribbies).
Gossett gave up a back-to-back singles to start the game (and allowed a run in the first inning) but settled in to go six innings, allowing only the first-inning run, giving up six hits and one walk while striking out seven. In his last eight starts, the former Clemson star is 4-2 with a 1.80 ERA, with six "quality starts" (and one near-miss) in the eight trips to the mound.
Bruce Caldwell (3-for-4) and Allen Staton (3-for-3, walk) had six of the Cardinals' nine hits, including Caldwell's two-run double in the seventh. Jake Sanchez then tossed two scoreless innings to slam the door, allowing one hit, while striking out four of the seven batters he faced.
The RockHounds
... are 35-19 in the second half and 68-56 overall ... snapped a four-game slide ... are 35-27 at Security Bank Ballpark and 34-28 on the road ... lead the season series with the Springfield Cardinals, 7-3 (3-1 at Security Bank Ballpark and 4-1 at Hammons Field) ... are 27-19 against the North.
... held their six-game lead over San Antonio in the Texas League South Division second half race after the Missions (29-25) held on to defeat Northwest Arkansas, 5-4 in Springdale. First half champion Corpus Christi (27-27) edged Arkansas, 4-3, to stay eight games back. There are 16 games remaining in the 2016 Texas League regular season (the 'Hounds have nine home games remaining and seven on the road).
... conclude their homestand by hosting the Springfield Cardinals on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at Security Bank Ballpark. Saturday evening's game will be followed by a fireworks show and Sunday afternoon is Family Day (see the RockHounds web site for details).
STAT of the DAY: The four-game slide halted by the RockHounds on Friday night included all three games in the home series with Tulsa, immediately following the loss of the league's top power hitter, Matt Chapman, to Triple-A Nashville. Hitting, however, has not been the issue - - the RockHounds are batting .291 in the homestand (31 points above their league-best team average of .260) and have scored 23 runs (5.75 per game), more than a run higher than their average of 4.50 (second in the league).
- Brett Vertigan (3-for-4, double, run, four RBI) has a four-game hit streak (all in the homestand) and is hitting an even .500 (9-for-18) in those four games, with four runs, two doubles, a triple, a home run, and five RBI.
- Franklin Barreto (1-for-4, run) has hit in eight straight games (11-for-32, .344) and is hitting .345 in his last 35 games.
- J.P. Sportman (1-for-4, run, RBI) has hit in five straight games (6-for-19, .316) and has six RBI in the homestand.
- Yairo Munoz (2-for-2, HR, two RBI, two walks) has hit in three straight games: 5-for-9, four runs, double, home run, two RBI, three walks.
- Andy Paz (0-for-4) saw an eight-game hit streak end, but is still hitting .484 (15-for-31) in his last nine games.
Texas League Stories from August 20, 2016
- Caramo, Toups Lead Naturals to Win over Misisons - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- And the South Shall Rise Again - Midland RockHounds
- Boyd Rescues Opener - Corpus Christi Hooks
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