Hooks Hat Trick Too Much for 'Hounds
June 10, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Midland RockHounds Right Fielder Tyler Marincov
(Midland RockHounds, Credit: Richard A. Acosta)
The nine runs scored in Wednesday night's game at Corpus Christi came on a total of just five swings of the bat, but a "hat trick" of Hooks home runs trumped (no political implication intended) a pair of run-producing swings from the RockHounds Tyler Marincov, as Corpus overcame a 3-0 deficit for a 6-3 victory at Whataburger Field.
With the 'Hounds leading, 3-0, in the last of the fifth, Chase McDonald put the Hooks on the board with a solo home run to left field. One inning later, Alex Bregman led off with a single to left and scored on a two-run shot to left-center from J.D. Davis, tying the game at 3-3.
With the bases empty and two out in the Hooks' seventh, Teoscar Hernandez's bunt was mishandled by third baseman Josh Rodriguez. Bregman then sent a sharp shot down the third base line, with Rodriguez making a brilliant diving stop with his throw to first base just a half-step late in the attempt to get Bregman (and end the inning). Derek Fisher, after falling behind Jake Sanchez, 0-2, sent a 1-2 pitch down the left field line, glancing off the foul pole for a tie-breaking (and, ultimately, game-winning) three-run homer.
Marincov brought home the game's first run with an RBI double (scoring Brett Vertigan) in the first and his two-run single (plating Vertigan and J. P. Sportman) in the third gave the RockHounds the early 3-0 advantage.
David Paulino went three near-perfect innings in relief for the win (his ERA is now 1.69) and Aaron West, after allowing two singles to bring the tying run to the plate in the ninth, retired Franklin Barreto to end the game to earn the save.
The RockHounds
... are 27-30 (14-14 at Security Bank Ballpark and 13-16 on the road) ... have dropped five straight ... are three games under .500, a season-low mark ... are 8-6 versus Corpus Christi (4-2 at Whataburger Field and 4-4 at Security Bank Ballpark) ... are 15-18 versus the South.
... are now nine games behind front-running Corpus Christi in the Texas League South, with 13 games (12 days) remaining in the first half race.
... continue their eight-game (nine-day) road trip with games on Thursday and Friday at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi (7:05 p.m. each evening). The 'Hounds then travel to Frisco for a four-game set with the RoughRiders (June 11-14).
Kibbles & Bits
STAT of the DAY The top of the RockHounds order was outstanding. Brett Vertigan, J.P. Sportman and Tyler Marincov (see individual notes, below) went a combined 3-for-8, with three runs, three RBI, three walks, two doubles and a steal. The rest of the order went 3-for-23 (although two of the hits, from Josh Rodriguez and Wade Kirkland, came in a ninth-inning scoring threat).
- Tyler Marincov has hit in four of five games (8-for-20, .400) and is hitting .333 (22-for-66) in his last 16 after an 0-for-10 start with the 'Hounds.
- Brett Vertigan did not have an official trip to the plate Wednesday, walking three times and dropping down a sacrifice bunt. With the three walks, Vertigan has now reached base in 16 of his last 18 games (19-for-69, .275 plus 11 walks for a .375 on-base percentage).
- J.P. Sportman (1-for-4, run, double) has a nine-game hit streak (14-for-36, .389) and has raised his average from .244 to .275 in that span.
- Wade Kirkland (1-for-4 with an 0-2, two-out single in the ninth) has hit in six straight games (10-23, .435).
Images from this story
 Midland RockHounds Right Fielder Tyler Marincov (Richard A. Acosta) |
Texas League Stories from June 10, 2016
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- Missions Settle for Split, Lamet Debuts Before Sellout - San Antonio Missions
- Drillers Bounce Back Friday Night with 3-1 Victory - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Dropped by Drillers in Finale, 3-1 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Naturals and Drillers in Town for 8 Game Series June 11 - 18 - Arkansas Travelers
- Riders Game Notes - 7:05 p.m. at San Antonio Missions - June 10, 2016 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Riders Homestand Preview: Saturday, June 11 - Saturday, June 18 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Hooks Hat Trick Too Much for 'Hounds - Midland RockHounds
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