Diaz Grand Slam Lifts Hounds to Third Straight Win
April 16, 2019 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
The RockHounds scored six runs Tuesday ... with just one swing of the bat.
The 'Hounds' first and final runs came on bases-loaded walks. The other four also came with the bases loaded ... on an Edwin Diaz grand slam home run ... as the RockHounds erased a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Amarillo Sod Poodles, 6-2, on Kids Day at Security Bank Ballpark.
The win was the club's third straight after dropping the first three of the home stand and also pushed the 'Hounds back to .500 at 6-6.
Amarillo broke a scoreless tie in the top of the sixth on a solo home run (from former Southlake Carroll High School star Hudson Potts) and added an unearned run later in the inning to take the 2-0 lead.
The RockHounds loaded the bases against reliever Nick Kuzia in the last of the seventh and Collin Theroux drew a walk to force in the first run. Diaz, with the bases and the count both full, sent a drive over the high wall in left field, a grand slam that gave the 'Hounds a 5-2 lead. Nate Mondou's bases-loaded walk in the eighth pushed the advantage to 6-2.
Angel Duno, in relief of starter Parker Dunshee, picked up the win and Trey Cochran-Gill pitched the eighth and ninth for the save.
The RockHounds improved to 6-6 while Amarillo fell to 5-8. The RockHounds and the division-leading Frisco RoughRiders (8-3 entering their Tuesday night game at Corpus Christi) begin a series Thursday in the Metroplex that will include the completion of a game suspended due to rain (on April 14) with the RockHounds leading, 4-1, in the top of the 11th inning. The suspended game will be resumed Thursday evening before the regularly-scheduled opener of a three-game series at Frisco.
The RockHounds and Sod Poodles conclude the series (and the RockHounds wrap up the homestand) Wednesday evening at 6:30.
Notables
In 31 games with the RockHounds in 2018, Edwin Diaz hit four doubles and two home runs. He has those exact same numbers in 2019 ... but in just eleven games
Edwin's grand slam was the RockHounds' second of the season, both against the Sod Poodles. Dairon Blanco hit the season's first slam on April 10 at HODGETOWN (in Amarillo).
The RockHounds had seven hits but also drew eight walks and every batter in the lineup reached base safely at least once.
The 'Hounds, uncharacteristically, committed two errors, but the club also turned three double plays to deny Sod Poodle scoring chances.
Thanks to all the teachers, administrators and the KIDS for a great day at Rocky Town ... attendance was 5,363!
Next Game
Wednesday, April 17 vs. Amarillo Sod Poodles
Security Bank Ballpark 6:30 p.m. (Gates open 6:00)
Aflac Night
- Final of a three-game series and of a seven-game homestand
- Radio: NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 6:15 p.m.
Probable Starters
AMA: Pedro Avila (RH, 1-0, 1.50)
RH: Logan Verrett (RH, 0-0, 4.82)
Texas League Stories from April 16, 2019
- Riders Surge Late But Come up Short in Corpus Christi - Frisco RoughRiders
- Cards Lose at Home for First Time in 225 Days, 11-0 to Drillers - Springfield Cardinals
- Diaz Grand Slam Lifts Hounds to Third Straight Win - Midland RockHounds
- Offense Erupts for 11 Runs as Drillers Blank Cards - Tulsa Drillers
- Morejon, Potts Deliver Despite RockHounds' Late Rally to Beat Soddies - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- Sod Poodles Open Three-Game Series with Hooks Thursday at Hodgetown - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- Riders Return Home Thursday for Big Weekend - Frisco RoughRiders
- Drillers Back at ONEOK Field for Brief Homestand April 18-20 - Tulsa Drillers
- Cards Top Drillers 6-5 in Series Opener, Win 5th Straight - Springfield Cardinals
- Travs Spin Second Straight Shutout - Arkansas Travelers
- RockHounds Shutout Sod Poodles - Midland RockHounds
- Mr. Clutch: Robinson Drives Walk-Off Win - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Bats Silenced by Travelers Pitching, Naturals Blanked 2-0 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Fail to Hold Early Lead in Loss to Cards - Tulsa Drillers
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