Close Calls, Inc.
April 26, 2015 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Midland RockHounds First Baseman Matt Olson
(Midland RockHounds, Credit: Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds)
Rich Weimert, San Antonio Director of Media Relations, provided the "stat of the day" before Saturday's game between the RockHounds and San Antonio. Rich pointed out that of the 32 meetings between the clubs in 2014, half were decided by one run. The clubs have continued that pattern in the new season, with the Missions claiming an 8-7 win at Security Bank Security Bank Ballpark. The 'Hounds had won the opener Thursday by a 5-4 count, meaning the clubs have now played 18 one-run games in their last 35 meetings (Friday's game was a 5-3 "blowout" win for the 'Hounds).
San Antonio built a 6-0 lead after three innings, continuing a rough early season for RockHounds starter Chris Lamb. The left-hander allowed six runs on nine hits over four innings, falling to 0-3, with a 19.00 ERA. Two swings hurt Lamb's cause, the first being a two-run single from Yeison Asencio in the second inning. The hit came with the Missions leading, 2-0, the bases full, two out and the count 0-2. In the third inning, Alberth Martinez' two-run home run built the lead to 6-0.
The 'Hounds rallied back; twice drawing within one run. A four-run fourth inning and Bruce Maxwell's RBI single in the sixth cut the lead to 6-5.
After Griff Erickson answered with a two-run double in the top of the seventh, Matt Olson hit his second two-run home run in as many nights, bringing the 'Hounds to within 8-7, much to the approval of a Jersey Night crowd of more than 5,500.
Jay Jackson, however, then shut down the RockHounds, pitching back-to-back perfect innings in the eighth and ninth for his first save.
Kibbles & Bits
- Matt Olson is 2-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI (plus four walks) in his last two games. He now shares the club lead in RBI with Chad Oberacker (each with 12). Matt ranks in the top five in the Texas League in runs scored (14), home runs (5), on-base percentage (.459), slugging percentage (.696) and walks (15). (Official Texas League statistics were not yet finalized at the time of this writing).
- "Obie" (1-for-4, two runs) is now second in the league with a .413 average, and has reached base in all 14 games in which he's played. Chad leads the league in OPB (.491) and is second in slugging (.739).
- Jaycob Brugman's remarkable week continued. The former BYU star entered play on Monday 2-for-25 (.080) to open the season. He went 9-for-15 in the first four games of the week before taking an 0-for-4 collar Friday. Saturday night, he was back on track, going 2-for-3, with a walk, a run and an RBI. For the week, Jaycob is batting .500 (11-22) and has raised his season average by virtually 200 points (.277).
- San Antonio left 14 runners on base in Saturday's one-run win. The Missions have stranded 34 runners in the three-game series.
- Corpus Christi pummeled Frisco twice in a double-header in the Metroplex (10-5 and 16-1), pushing the Hooks' record to a league-best 11-4. Corpus leads the RockHounds (7-8) by four games, San Antonio (6-9) by five and Frisco (5-10) by six games.
- Sharing the game: A big "shout-out" from the RockHounds to the nearly 200 "future Major Leaguers" who attended our annual baseball camp in Monahans, sponsored by the Permian Basin Chevy Dealers. The RockHounds were represented by manager Ryan Christenson and players Jaycob Brugman, Seth Frankoff, Tucker Healy, Matt Olson, Chad Pinder, Phil Pohl, Jake Sanchez and Bobby Wahl. The guys shared the game with 179 kids, and that's a big part of what we're all about. Thanks to all!
- The 'Hounds and San Antonio conclude their four-game series Sunday afternoon (two o'clock start). Division-leading Corpus Christi then comes to town for a four-game set opening Monday (6:30 p.m.). The series includes the first of two Safety Awareness Days (Kids' Days) of the season, Tuesday morning (April 28) at 11 o'clock. The home stand then concludes Wednesday (6:30) and Thursday (7:00) evenings.
Probable Pitchers for Sunday's Series Finale
San Antonio RHP Justin Hancock (1-1, 3.94) vs RockHounds RHP Chris Jensen (3-0, 3.06)
Images from this story
 Midland RockHounds First Baseman Matt Olson (Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds) |
Texas League Stories from April 26, 2015
- Misions Lose to Hounds in 12th - San Antonio Missions
- Riders Fall 5-2 in Final Game of Home Stand - Frisco RoughRiders
- Travs Edge Cardinals in Wild 8-6 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Liddi Powers Naturals Past Tulsa - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Missions Outscore Hounds 8-7 - San Antonio Missions
- Drillers Fail to Sweep Naturals with 10-5 Loss - Tulsa Drillers
- Close Calls, Inc. - Midland RockHounds
- Riders Drop a Pair to Hooks in Double Header - Frisco RoughRiders
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.
