Go Figure
Published on June 24, 2016 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
If you have trouble with the concept that baseball is a "goofy game," consider this. In his first four starts with the RockHounds, Daniel Gossett walked two batters in 22 innings, facing a total of 86 hitters. On Thursday night, he faced 17 San Antonio Missions in three innings and walked seven. Before we rest our case on "goofy" ... the RockHounds not only won the game ... they never trailed.
San Antonio's T.J. Weir retired the first two batters he faced, then hit Viosergy Rosa in the foot with a 2-2 pitch. The RockHounds went on to bat around in the inning, building a 5-0 lead on two-run hits from Beau Taylor and Franklin Barreto and an RBI double from Matt Chapman.
The game featured 37 base runners (20 hits, 13 walks, three hit batsmen and one error), with the RockHounds building leads of 5-0 and 8-3 in the early going (only one run was scored by either team after the fourth inning). Chapman led the way, adding his league-leading 17th home run (a two-run drive to left in the third inning) and raising his RBI total to 40.Â
In winning their second straight game, the RockHounds were efficient at the plate (stranding just three base runners), with seven batters scoring at least one run, driving in at least one, or both. The Missions, meanwhile, left 14 men on base and bounced into four double plays, making a total of 18 base runners (an average of two per inning) squandered.
The RockHounds
... are 2-1 in the second half and 35-38 overall ... are 19-19 at Security Bank Ballpark and 16-19 on the road ... are 8-9 versus San Antonio (6-4 at Rocky Town and 2-5 at Nelson Wolff Stadium in San Antonio) ... are 5-5 with three games remaining in a 13-game (12-day) homestand ... are 23-26 versus the South Division ... played in a game decided by more than one run for the first time in five days.
... host San Antonio on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to conclude their 12-day, 13-game homestand at Security Bank Ballpark. Friday, the first one thousand (1,000) fans receive a free Rocky & Juice Salt & Pepper Shaker Set ... and Saturday's game will be followed by a fireworks show. Game time both evenings is 7:00 p.m. with the series (and homestand) finale set for Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT of the DAY This one is from Tuesday night's "Opening Night, Part Two," as the Texas League began a new half-season pennant race.
When the RockHounds failed to hold their 3-2 lead against Frisco (the RoughRiders scored twice in the ninth for a 5-4 win), it broke a streak of 146 games in which the 'Hounds had won when leading after eight innings. The streak included 135 regular season games and 11 playoff victories. The last time the club had lost a game when leading after eight was May 17, 2014 at Corpus Christi (also a 5-4 loss after taking a 4-3 lead into the ninth). The blown save that night ... went to Ryan Dull, now in Major Leagues with Oakland (and, by the way, with a 2.41 ERA and with zero inherited runners scoring out of 30).
ROSTER MOVES
- Pitcher Raul Alcantara has been placed on the disabled list (right shoulder soreness), retroactive to June 19.
- Catcher Carson Blair has rejoined the RockHounds after an extended stay on the disabled list due to a left oblique strain. He last played for the 'Hounds on April 23 (11-for-33, .333, with seven RBI in 10 games) and spent most of his rehab time at the A's facility in Mesa, Arizona. He then played in four games with the Vermont Lake Monsters of the (Short-A) New York-Penn League (6-for-16, .375, RBI). Blair opened 2015, a breakthrough year for the former Red Sox farm hand, with the RockHounds. He hit .272 with six HR and 29 RBI in 55 games, earning a promotion to (Triple-A) Nashville and, ultimately, a September call-up to the Oakland A's.
Texas League Stories from June 24, 2016
- Riders Soar from Behind for 8-7 Win over Hooks - Frisco RoughRiders
- Burg Leads Riders Rally - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Top Cards in Opener on Friday - Springfield Cardinals
- Carpenter, Travs Two-Hit Cardinals Friday - Arkansas Travelers
- Drillers Fall for First Time in Second Half 7-1 - Tulsa Drillers
- Skoglund, Schwindel Send Naturals to Victory - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Ronald Guzman to Participate in All-Star Home Run Derby - Frisco RoughRiders
- Riders Game Notes - 7:05 p.m. vs. Corpus Christi Hooks - June 24, 2016 - Frisco RoughRiders
- All-Star Home Run Derby Participants and Format Revealed - Springfield Cardinals
- Go Figure - Midland RockHounds
- Hooks Handcuff Riders - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Pair of Homers Not Enough in One-Run Loss to Hooks - Frisco RoughRiders
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