Calabuig's Home Run Completes RockHound's Comeback
August 2, 2019 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
On Tuesday (before packing their bags), the RockHounds earned what seemed to be a very important win, defeating the Tulsa Drillers (5-4, in 10 innings) at Security Bank Ballpark. Thursday night, they did the same thing, this time on the road, rallying from a 4-0 deficit to defeat the Corpus Christi Hooks, 6-5 (also in 10 innings), at Whataburger Field.
Case Calabuig's two-run home run in the 10th was the game-winner as the 'Hounds completed the comeback.
Edwin Diaz (see below) ripped a three-run home run (his first since July 8) to get the RockHounds on the board in the fifth and scored the game-tying run (on Collin Theroux's sac fly) after walking in the seventh. Diaz was also remarkable ... and busy ... at shortstop. He had 11 assists for the night, perhaps a half-dozen of them ranging from outstanding to "ridiculous."
Corpus Christi raced to a 3-0 lead in the first, but starter James Naile came back strong, allowing just one run (J.J. Matijevic's solo home run in the third) on two hits over his next five innings. Trey-Cochran-Gill pitched two scoreless innings in relief and Seth Martinez allowed only the Hooks' designated runner to score in the 10th. The right-hander did not allow a hit (the run, of course, was unearned) and lowered his ERA with the RockHounds to 1.76 in earning the win.
Notables
Edwin Diaz is hitting .333 (12-36) in his last nine games with four doubles, two triples, one home run and eight RBI. He has also hit in seven straight games (9-29, .310 with the eight RBI). The renewed run production is major "plus" from the team's standpoint. Edwin, who is now hitting in the heart of the lineup virtually every night, had gone without a ribbie from July 9-27.
At long last, some good news from "sick bay" - - Mikey White (shoulder tendonitis) returned to the lineup for the first time since July 10. Not only did he return, Mikey 2-for-5 (plus a walk).
Chase Calabuig 's game-winning home run gave him the second four-hit game of his career (4-for-6, two tuns, HR, two RBI), both with the RockHounds. He was a 4-for-5 night against NW Arkansas in April (at Security Bank Ballpark), shortly after joining the club from (A) Beloit.
The RockHounds stayed two games behind Amarillo in the South Division but gained a game over both the Hooks and Frisco, as the Sod Poodles defeated the RoughRiders, 7-4, at Amarillo.
Next Game
Friday, August 2 vs. Corpus Christi Hooks
Whataburger Field Corpus Christi, Texas
First pitch 7:15 p.m.
- Second of a four-game series and road trip
- Radio: NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 7:05 p.m.
Probable Starters
CC: Brandon Bailey (RH, 3-2, 3.26)
RH: Matt Milburn (RH, 5-8, 5.78)
Next at Security Bank Ballpark
The RockHounds return Monday, August 5, to open a seven-game homestand, hosting the Amarillo Sod Poodles (August 5-6-7) and the Corpus Christi Hooks (August 8-9-10-11).
Texas League Stories from August 2, 2019
- Travs Hold Cards Down Again in 6-1 Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Calabuig's Blast Hands Hooks Loss in Extras - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Homers Power Midland to Victory - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Burke Bests Amarillo in 5-2 Win - Frisco RoughRiders
- Hodgetown Draws 21st Consecutive Sellout, Sod Poodles Fall to RoughRiders to Even Series - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- Solbach Masterful in Drillers 3-1 Win - Tulsa Drillers
- Gomez Goes the Distance in 3-1 Loss at Tulsa - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Calabuig's Home Run Completes RockHound's Comeback - Midland RockHounds
- Travs Sneak by Cards, 2-1, in Opener - Springfield Cardinals
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