Cardinals Get the K's ... 'Hounds Get the W
Published on August 21, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Anthony Aliotti of the Midland RockHounds
(Midland RockHounds, Credit: Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds)
Springfield pitchers struck out exactly forty percent of the batters they faced Thursday night (16-of-40), but RockHounds hitters still did plenty of damage, enough for a 7-1 victory and a 2-games-to-1 series win at Hammons Field in Springfield.
Nine of the whiffs were registered by Springfield starter Alex Reyes, but the 'Hounds also got to the flame-throwing right-hander for three runs in the third. Beau Taylor's solo home run to right broke a scoreless tie, and back-to-back singles from Jaycob Brugman and Colin Walsh led to a pair of runs on Anthony Aliotti's sacrifice fly and a double from Chad Pinder (compounded by an error on Springfield right fielder David Washington). Reyes, rated by several sources as the St. Louis Cardinals' top prospect, topped 100 miles per hour (on the in-stadium radar gun) multiple times in his five innings on the mound.
Springfield answered with a single run in the home half of the third and the score remained 3-1 until the seventh, when the 'Hounds broke the game open on a two-run double from Aliotti and a two-run home run (a line drive that cleared the back wall of the left field bullpen) on an 0-2 pitch from Josh Whitaker.
The RockHounds
... are 36-17 in the second half and 71-52 overall (setting a new season high at 19 games over .500) ... have won four of their last five ... 9-of-11 and 11-of-14 ... are 25-10 in their last 35 games (a .714 winning pct.) ... finished 6-6 vs. Springfield (4-2 at Security Bank Ballpark and 2-4 at Hammons Field) ... outscored Springfield by a combined 17-2 score Wednesday & Thursday ... the Cardinals won 5-of-6 in the first half (including a home sweep) and the 'Hounds took 5-of-6 in the second half (also including a home sweep) ... the 'Hounds are 41-22 at Security Bank Ballpark and 30-30 on the road ... are at .500 on the road for the first time since April 21 (3-3) ... are 45-33 vs. the South Division and 26-19 vs. the North.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT OF THE DAY: We always try not to "put the cart before the baseball horse," but this is a milestone both significant and reachable. 15 years ago, the 2001 RockHounds (under manager Tony DeFrancesco) went 43-27 in the first half of the 2001 Texas League season ... the best half-season record in franchise history. After Thursday's win, if the 2015 'Hounds go 8-9 the rest of the way, they will eclipse the 2001 club's mark and record the best half-season in franchise history.
By the Numbers
Texas League South: The RockHounds and Frisco (2-1 at Tulsa) were winners Thursday night, but Corpus Christi fell (at home in extra innings) to Arkansas. The RockHounds magic numbers are reduced by one (to clinch a playoff berth) and by two in the second half pennant race (see below). The RockHounds now lead the Hooks (29-24) by seven games ... the RoughRiders (25-27) by 10.5 and San Antonio (24-29 after an extra-innings loss at home to NW Arkansas) by 12 games.
Magic numbers:
- Seven (7) to clinch a playoff spot (eliminating Frisco) ... any combination of RockHounds wins and RoughRiders losses
- Eleven (11) to clinch the second half pennant (over Corpus Christi) ... any combination of RockHounds wins and Hooks losses
Games remaining:
The RockHounds have 17 games to play in the regular season: Frisco (six, three home and three road), Corpus Christi (four, home), San Antonio (four, road) and Tulsa (three, road).
Images from this story
 Anthony Aliotti of the Midland RockHounds (Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds) |
Texas League Stories from August 21, 2015
- Travs Outlast Missions in Opener - San Antonio Missions
- Heras Hero for Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Take Opener 3-1 over Missions in 11 - Arkansas Travelers
- Cardinals Blast Past Riders, 7-3, Before 7,080 Fans - Springfield Cardinals
- Late Rally Falls Short in 9-7 Loss to the Hooks - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- San Antonio Drops Another Extra-Inning Game - San Antonio Missions
- Riders' Quick Start Not Enough against Cards - Frisco RoughRiders
- Riders Celebrate Penultimate Homestand August 25-28 - Frisco RoughRiders
- August: Texas Farm Bureau Special Returns - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Cardinals Get the K's ... 'Hounds Get the W - Midland RockHounds
- Travs Hold off Hooks 10-7 in 10 Innings - Arkansas Travelers
- Travelers Capture Series - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Naturals Take Series in Extras - San Antonio Missions
- San Antonio Drops Series to Northwest Arkansas in 13 Innings - San Antonio Missions
- Liddi's Infield Single in Top of 13th Give Naturals 3-2 Win - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- RockHounds Claim Series Finale Before 7,272 Fans at Hammons Field - Springfield Cardinals
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.
