Dunshee's Gem Leads RockHounds to Win
Published on April 28, 2019 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Sunday was "Bark in the Park Day" at Security Bank Ballpark. The RockHounds' starting pitcher changed that title a little ... to "Bark in the PARKER Day."
Parker Dunshee turned in the 'Hounds' finest pitching performance to date in 2019, tossing eight shutout innings in a 4-1 win over Northwest Arkansas on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon at Rocky Town (and in front of a terrific crowd of 4,211).
Naturals starter Ofreidy Gomez was also outstanding, shutting out the RockHounds until Greg Deichmann sent a solo home run over the high wall in left field in the sixth. Nate Mondou's one-out triple into the right field corner in the seventh was followed by Collin Theroux's two-run home run, an absolute laser of a line drive into the left field bullpen, pushing the lead to 3-0.
The 'Hounds added an insurance run in the eighth on Luke Persico's single and Jonah Heim's two-out RBI double to right (with Persico running on a 1-2 pitch).
Northwest Arkansas scored an unearned run in the ninth and had two men on before Kyle Finnegan slammed the door to seal the win.
Dunshee went eight innings, allowing two hits with one walk and one hit batsman while striking out eight, lowering his ERA to 1.74 in five starts (one point behind Brian Howard's team-leading 1.73). It was also his second straight scoreless start (see below).
Parker didn't need much help but, when he did, the defense was there. Samir Dueñez was flat our robbed twice. Leading off the second inning, he dropped down a terrific bunt that third baseman Edwin Diaz bare-handed, completing the play with a strong throw in perfect stride. In the fourth inning, with one on and two out, Dueñez ripped a low line drive with first baseman Mikey White making a diving catch to end the inning, White, in turn, was the victim of thievery when Naturals second baseman Gabriel Cancel handled Mikey's low liner on a diving catch in the seventh.
The 'Hounds are now 4-2 in their current (weather-shortened) homestand, having previously taken 2-of-3 from the Tulsa Drillers.
The clubs conclude their four-game series (and the 'Hounds wrap up the homestand) with the second of our Kids Days (Safety Awareness Day). First pitch is Monday morning at 11:00.
Notables
Frisco's game (at Springfield, Missouri) was the only late afternoon start in the league. The 'Hounds' win brought them to within one game of the first-place RoughRiders with another half-game pending on that contest's outcome. The RockHounds (13-10) did gain some ground over Corpus Christi and Amarillo, as the Hooks fell to Tulsa at home and the Sod Poodles lost to the Arkansas Travelers (4-2) at North Little Rock.
In his last three starts, Parker Dunshee is 2-0, with a 0.44 ERA. In those three starts, the right-hander has allowed ONE earned run 201/3 innings, giving up just nine hits and six walks (three hit batsmen) while striking out 17. His scoreless streak stands at 15.0 innings.
Luke Persico has hit in three straight games (5-for-11) and is hitting .364 in his last 12 games with a .442 on-base percentage.
Kevin Merrell (1-for-3, bunt single) has reached base in six-in-a-row (7-for-20, .350) and is hitting .333 in his last nine games (with two doubles, a home run, seven runs and seven RBI).
After seeing two streaks (an eight-game hit streak and 11-in-a-row on-base) go by the boards Saturday night, Jonah Heim (1-for-4, double) ripped an RBI double in the eighth inning Sunday afternoon. Jonah is hitting .324 (with 10 RBI) in his last 10 games and has reached base in 12-of-13 (.326).
Collin Theroux went 2-for-3 with his two-run "rocket" to left and is 5-for-11 (home run and five RBI) in his last four games.
Dairon Blanco went 0-for-4, failing to reach base for the first time in 11 games (he is hitting .383 in that span).
Next Game
Monday, April 29 vs. Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Safety Awareness / Kids Day
Security Bank Ballpark 11:00 a.m.
- Final of a four-game series and of a (weather-shortened) seven-game homestand
- Radio: No broadcast (MiLB-TV only)
Probable Starters
NWA: Andres Sotillet (RH, 0-0, 2.84)
RH: Logan Verrett (RH, 0-0, 5.40)
Texas League Stories from April 28, 2019
- Early Inning Mishaps Behind Cardinals 6-4 Loss to RoughRiders - Springfield Cardinals
- Early Scoring Carries Riders over Cards - Frisco RoughRiders
- Tulsa Posts Shutout Win Behind Dustin May - Tulsa Drillers
- Travelers Edge Sod Poodles - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- Dunshee's Gem Leads RockHounds to Win - Midland RockHounds
- Drillers Blank Hooks Sunday, 5-0 - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Top Poodles, 4-2 on Sunday - Arkansas Travelers
- Pitchers' Duel Goes Way of Midland in 4-1 Loss - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Cardinals Lose 10-7 to RoughRiders, Teams Combine for 28 Hits - Springfield Cardinals
- Hooks Outscore Drillers 10-9 - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals End RockHounds Win Streak - Midland RockHounds
- Goetzman's Grand Slam Gives Hooks 10-9 Win in Thriller - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Streak Snapped, Naturals Even Series in Midland - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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