Heckuva Battle in the Metroplex
Published on May 10, 2016 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
The first series of the season between the RockHounds and Frisco RoughRiders has, so far, more than "lived up to the billing" of a match-up between the Texas League's top two clubs. Each of the first three games has been decided by one run, with the game-winning hit coming on a tie-breaking solo home run. Frisco's Ryan Cordell had the decisive swing Monday night, launching a solo home run, his second of the game, high over the left field wall in the fifth inning. Cordell's solo shot broke a 5-5 tie and the Riders' bullpen did the rest.
Reliever David Perez went two scoreless innings, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the fifth, and the 'Hounds then went up-and-down in order in each of the last four innings. Jose LeClerc was brilliant, pitching three perfect innings, and Jose Valdespina closed the game with a 1-2-3 ninth.
Cordell (who extended his on-base streak to 29 games, tops in all of Minor League Baseball) and the RockHounds' Yairo Munoz put on their own Home Run Derby. Munoz's solo shot in the second gave the 'Hounds a 1-0 lead, but Frisco answered with five runs in the home half of the inning, including Cordell's two-run drive. The four-run lead marked the only time either club has held more than a two-run advantage, but it lasted less than a half-inning. The 'Hounds rallied back to forge a 5-5 tie in the third with a rally capped by Munoz's second homer, a three-run shot to left. In the series' first three games, the clubs have combined for eight home runs, accounting for 12 of the 23 runs scored.
The RockHounds
... are 18-13 (10-4 at Security Bank Ballpark and 8-9 on the road) and have dropped three of their last four.
... are now 5.5 games behind the first-place Riders in the Texas League South Division. With an 8-6 (home) win over San Antonio, Corpus Christi stays eight games behind the Riders, with the Missions now 13.5 games back.
... continue their eight-game, nine-day road trip with the series finalé in Frisco on Tuesday evening at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday is the league's lone off-day in a 39-day stretch (April 21-May 29), followed by a four-game set against the Missions in San Antonio (Thursday-Sunday).
Kibbles & Bits
'HOUNDS SWEEP TEXAS LEAGUE PLAYERS of the WEEK
RockHounds first baseman / designated hitter Viosergy Rosa and Raul Alcantara have been named the Texas League's Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively. In seven games, Rosa went 10-for-29 (.345) with five doubles, one home run and six RBI (a .387 on-base percentage and a .621 slugging percentage). Alcantara, who will start Tuesday in Frisco, tossed six shutout, no-hit innings last Thursday in a 13-0 win over the Corpus Christi Hooks.
MILESTONE The RockHounds' next win will make the franchise the ninth in Texas League history to win 3,000 (or more) games. The franchise (Cubs-Angels-RockHounds) stands at 2,999 wins, ninth all-time (two ahead of El Paso).
STAT OF THE DAY 1 The defense has been outstanding - - - just one error has been committed in the first three games of the series.
STAT OF THE DAY 2 In the last two games, both Frisco wins, the RoughRiders bullpen has pitched a combined 10 scoreless innings.
- Pitcher Dylan Covey has been placed on the disabled list with a left oblique strain (he left Sunday's game after one inning). Oakland has assigned pitcher Ryan Gorton to the RockHounds from extended spring training.
- Viosergy Rosa has reached base 18 straight games (20-for-66, .303 average with a .442 OBP), but saw his eight-game hit streak come to an end.
Texas League Stories from May 10, 2016
- Riders Drop Series Finale to RockHounds - Frisco RoughRiders
- Inside-The-Park HR Highlights Win - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Drillers Come up Short in 4-2 Loss - Tulsa Drillers
- Bader's Blasts Lead Cardinals to 4-2 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Hot Start Doesn't Hold as Naturals Fall in Finale, 5-4 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Riders Game Notes - 7:05 p.m. vs. Midland RockHounds - May 10, 2016 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Meet Hooks Pitchers Freeman, Sneed - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Heckuva Battle in the Metroplex - Midland RockHounds
- Double-Digit Hits Not Enough in Monday Loss - Arkansas Travelers
- Bats and Bullpen Give Naturals Five Straight Wins - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Cordell Crushes Two Homers in One-Run Win - Frisco RoughRiders
- Davis Drives Home Four - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Rough 1st Inning Too Much for Missions - San Antonio Missions
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