Anthony Aliotti Goes Off; Hounds Win 12-4
Published on May 19, 2013 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Since Opening Day, Anthony Aliotti has been the Texas League's leading hitter. Saturday night, he took his game to another level.
Aliotti went 4-for-5 with a double, three home runs and eight RBI ... leading the RockHounds to a 12-4 win over the division-leading Corpus Christi Hooks at Citibank Ballpark.
Aliotti's remarkable night came in front of a packed house, with a paid attendance of 7,228 watching the 'Hounds win and post-game fireworks.
After being turned away multiple times with runners on base in Friday's 1-0 loss to Corpus, the RockHounds wasted no time in getting on the board Saturday. Conner Crumbliss (see below) walked to lead off the home half of the first and went to second on D'Arby Myers' perfect sacrifice bunt. Aliotti then made the bunt "completely superfluous," belting a two-run home run to left field.
Crazy stat # 1: Aliotti entered the game with four homes runs and nearly doubled that total in one game. His pre-game RBI total was 24, meaning that "Ali" increased his RBI total by one-third.
Crazy stat # 2: Because Aliotti's two-run home run followed a lead-off walk and a sacrifice, the 'Hounds scored twice as many runs in their first at bat as the teams did, combined, Friday night.
"Ali" followed the first inning homer with an RBI double in the third, the lifted back-to-back home runs in his next two at bats. His two-run home run in the fourth inning landed on the grass berm behind the batter's eye in straightaway center field, and he capped the night with a three-run home run to left in the sixth.
The top third of the RockHounds order was outstanding, combining to go 8-for-12 ... with two doubles, a triple and three home runs ..., scoring 10 runs and driving in 11. Crumbliss went 1-for-3 with two walks, three runs and a stolen base ... Myers was 3-for-4 with a double, triple, three runs and three RBI ... and Aliotti finishing with his remarkable line (see above).
South Division
The South Division tightened up a bit as San Antonio defeated Frisco, 9-6, in the Metroplex. Corpus Christi leads both the Missions and RoughRiders by two, with the 'Hounds back to within four games.
Kibbles & Bits
- "Oh, by the way," Anthony Aliotti extended his on-base streak to 15 games. In that span, the RockHounds' first baseman is hitting .453 (24-of-53) with an OBP of .547 (on-base in 35-of-64). It's his second 13-plus on-base streak of the season.
- D'Arby Myers' big night (see above) continued his current hot streak. Myers is 12-for-27 (.444) in his last seven games and 10-f0r-21 (.476) in his last five. He was a home run short of "The Cycle" Saturday night.
- Chad Oberacker has now hit in 8-of-9 games, going 13-for-37 (.351) in that stretch. He had two triples Friday, his fourth and fifth of the season, ranking second in the Texas League.
- Conner Crumbliss joined the RockHounds from (Triple-A) Sacramento Saturday and was the 'Hounds lead-off batter Saturday night. Crumbliss played for the RockHounds last season (appearing in 128 games). After seeing limited playing time at Sacramento (59 at bats), he made his presence felt in his return to the (Double-A) RockHounds. Conner hit .335 at Citibank Ballpark last season (ironically, he was sub-.200 on the road) and picked up where he left off in his 2013 debut.
- The RockHounds and Corpus Christi continue their four-game series Sunday afternoon at 2:00 and wrap up the set Monday evening at 6:30.
- The RockHounds ... in the midst of playing 14-of-18 games on the road ... then pack the bags one more time, traveling to Tulsa, Oklahoma and Springfield, Missouri for what will be on a six-game, seven-day road trip (May 22-29).
WP Zach Neal (4-1, 2.68)
LP Nick Tropeano (0-3, 3.50)
Sv None
HR RockHounds Anthony Aliotti (5) A 2-run HR in the 1st (off Nick Tropeano)
RockHounds Anthony Aliotti (6) A 2-run HR in the 4th (off Bobby Doran)
RockHounds Anthony Aliotti (7) A 3-run HR in the 6th (off Kevin Long)
Next Game
vs. Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston Astros' AA Affiliate)
Sunday, May 19 2:00 p.m. Radio at 1:50 p.m.
Citibank Ballpark
Probable Starters
Corpus Christi (RH) David Martinez (6-0, 1.80)
(RH) Mike Foltynewicz (0-0, 1.38) (The Hooks employ a "piggy-back" starting rotation.)
RockHounds (RH) Arnold Leon (2-2, 4.70)
Texas League Stories from May 19, 2013
- Martinez Wins Fifth Straight - Corpus Christi Hooks
- RoughRiders Take Control After Early Deficit - Frisco RoughRiders
- Drillers Rebound to Beat Naturals - Tulsa Drillers
- Travs Rally Late for 5-3 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Grichuk Sends Travs Past Cards on Sunday - Arkansas Travelers
- Matthes, Bergman Lead Drillers to Victory - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Frisco Crushes Missions 12-1 - San Antonio Missions
- Sams Leads Missions to 9-6 Win - San Antonio Missions
- Arlett Mavare Promoted to Round Rock - Frisco RoughRiders
- Colby Lewis to Start on Monday at Dr Pepper Ballpark - Frisco RoughRiders
- Anthony Aliotti Goes Off; Hounds Win 12-4 - Midland RockHounds
- Aliotti Plates Eight Saturday Night - Corpus Christi Hooks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
