From the Brink ... to the Best-Of-3
September 11, 2015 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
A 2-1 lead had vanished (and a brilliant start from Sean Manaea with it) in the last of the seventh, and the RockHounds found themselves tied going into the ninth, and Corpus Christi poised to take a 2-0 lead in the Texas League South Division Championship Series. One remarkable rally later, the 'Hounds had a 9-3 win, turning the playoff into a best-of-three, a series which will now be decided at Security Bank Ballpark.
Facing Corpus Christi closer Jandel Gustave (second in the league with 20 saves and a with a 2.15 ERA), Matt Olson drew a one-out walk and Josh Whitaker singled to center. Jaycob Brugman, who had not played in the series to that point, pinch hit for catcher Beau Taylor and took a 1-2 Gustave pitch up the middle for a single. Hooks catcher Roberto Pena handled center fielder Teoscar Hernandez's wide thrown and reached to tag Olson, attempting to score from second on the play. When the ball dribbled out of Pena's glove on a bang-bang play, Olson was safe and the 'Hounds had a 3-2 lead. After an intentional walk to Chad Oberacker loaded the bases, the RockHounds built the lead to 5-2 on RBI singles from Colin Walsh (off Gustave) and Anthony Aliotti (off Albert Minnis). Renato Nunez then sent Minnis' next pitch to straightaway center (and onto the batter's eye screen), a tremendous grand slam home run that capped a seven-run rally (see "Stat of the Day" below).
The RockHounds took the lead in the second when Ryon Healy doubled to center and scored on Olson's single. The clubs later exchanged fourth-inning solo home runs - - - Whitaker's second monster shot in as many nights and Colin Moran's line drive into the right field corner.
Manaea went seven innings, allowing two runs on three hits, with no walks and eight strikeouts. His seventh whiff came on a wild pitch on which Jon Kemmer reached base in the seventh. Jio Mier's hit to right then got under Olson's glove, turning the play into a game-tying triple.
With the game still tied at 2-2 in the eighth, Jeff Urlaub pitched out of a two-on, one-out jam in the eighth and was the winning pitcher.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT OF THE DAY: Renato Nunez has now hit three grand slam home runs ... in the last six days. Before his slam Thursday night, he hit a pair at Frisco in the span of four at-bats (September 5 and 6). The latest slam, because it came in the playoffs, won't show up in his career stats (only in the league and franchise record books), but it registered on the Whataburger Field tracking system. Had it not struck the batter's eye, the stadium tracking device indicated the ball would have traveled 442 feet.
Game 3 Starters: Right-hander Kyle Westwood (11-7, 4.23) goes for Corpus Christi. The 24-year-old from Tarpon Springs, Florida, ranked eighth in the league in ERA and shared the lead with 11 wins. Against the RockHounds, Westwood was 2-5, with a 5.67 ERA in eight games (five starts). One of his wins was a complete game (nine-inning) win (9-4 on July 19 at Corpus Christi).
The RockHounds will send Chris Jensen (9-10, 4.87) to the hill. While the 2014 Texas League Postseason All-Star Team selection has endured a frustrating season overall, he has returned to his all-star form over his last five starts. In those five appearances, Jensesn is 2-1 with a 1.36 ERA. Prior to a 2-1 loss at San Antonio in his final regular season appearance on September 4, the club had won in each of Jensen's previous nine starts (the 'Hounds are 17-11 in his starts in 2015).
- In the North Division Championship Series, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals erased a 3-0 deficit with a five-run sixth inning to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five set. The series now shifts to Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock for games three, four and five (if needed).
Texas League Stories from September 11, 2015
- Hooks' Reed Wins Bauman Award - Corpus Christi Hooks
- From the Brink ... to the Best-Of-3 - Midland RockHounds
- Midland Mounts Late Surge - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Five-Run 6th Bolsters Another Nats Comeback - Arkansas Travelers
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