TL1 Midland RockHounds

Hounds Grab 4th Straight

Published on July 7, 2014 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release


The RockHounds "pitched by committee" Sunday, and the conglomerate allowed just one run. Their outstanding combined effort was backed up by the 'Hounds # 3 and # 4 hitters, Max Muncy and Jefry Marte, who drove in three of the club's four runs. When their "business" was concluded, the RockHounds had a 4-1 win, their fourth-in-a-row since breaking a six-game slide.

Deryk Hooker made a spot start after the call-up of scheduled starter Drew Granier (see below) and allowed just one run over three innings. Maikol Gonzalez opened the last of the first with a walk and stole second, with Beau Taylor's throw deflecting into left field, allowing Gonzalez to take third. The 'Hounds elected to play the infield in with a runner at third and no outs, bur Alex Yarbrough sent a flair into shallow left to drive home the game's first run.

For the second consecutive game, Dusty Coleman and D'Arby Myers combined to produce the 'Hounds' first run. Coleman led off with a walk ... Conner Crumbliss followed with a single ... and both advanced on a wild pitch. Myers then singled to center, bringing Coleman home with the tying run. The game stayed at 1-1 until the sixth, when Marte wrapped a solo home run around the left field foul pole, giving the RockHounds a lead they would not relinquish.

Myers led off the eighth with a single and moved to second on Chad Oberacker's perfect sacrifice bunt. Muncy then ripped a triple to the deepest part of Dickey-Stephens Park, just right of straightaway center. The three-bagger with one out was critical, as Muncy scored on Marte's sacrifice fly, making the score 4-1.

Hooker was followed to the mound by Blake Hassebrock (2.0 innings, win), Marcus Walden (3.0, hold) and Ryan Dull, who pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his second save (both on the current road trip).

WP:Blake Hassebrock (3-0, 5.79)

LP:Nate Smith (4-2, 3.09)

SV:Ryan Dull (2, A0

HR:RockHounds - Jefry Marte (6) Solo in the sixth (off Nate Smith)

Kibbles & Bits

- The RockHounds won their fourth straight game and are now 4-1 on their six-game road trip heading into Monday's finale at North Little Rock. The 'Hounds also moved into sole possession of second place in the Texas League South, as Frisco was only club in the division to lose (the RoughRiders fell at Northwest Arkansas, 3-0). San Antonio (11-6) leads the 'Hounds (9-7) by a game-and-a-half ... the Corpus Christi Hooks (winners of five straight) by two ... and first half champion Frisco (8-8) by two-and-a-half games. Northwest Arkansas, after finishing 20 games below .500 in the first half (25-45) is now the first place club in the North Division second half race (9-8).

- The RockHounds' scoreless innings streak was snapped at 20.1 innings before an out was recorded Sunday, but the run Arkansas scored in the first inning was the Travs' only tally of the game, meaning 'Hounds pitchers have allowed one run in their last 29.1 innings (0.31 ERA) .

- Drew Granier has been promoted to the (Triple-A) Sacramento RiverCats. He fills the roster (and rotation) spot of former RockHound Dan Straily, who was part of the trade that sent Addison Russell, Billy McKinney and a player to be named later to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel. In 16 starts for the RockHounds, Granier was 4-4, with a 3.31 earned run average. Since allowing seven runs (all earned) and eight hits in an inning-and-two-thirds on a wind-blown Opening Night at Security Bank Ballpark (versus Arkansas), Drew recorded a 2.61 ERA over his next 15 starts.

- The RockHounds and Travelers conclude their three-game series ... and the 'Hounds wrap up their road trip ... Monday evening at 7:10. After a league-wide off-day Tuesday, the 'Hounds open a four-game home stand against the San Antonio Missions. Wednesday's game is also the beginning of a 26-games-in-26-days stretch of the Texas League schedule (all of it division play).

Next Game

vs. Arkansas Travelers (Los Angeles Angels' AA Affiliate)

Monday, July 7 - 7:10 p.m. (Radio at 7:00 p.m.)

Dickey-Stephens Park - North Little Rock, C2

Probable Starters

RockHounds: Shawn Haviland (RH, 4-5, 3.26)

Arkansas: Orangel Arenas (RH, 5-5, 3.41)

Check out the Midland RockHounds Statistics

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Texas League Stories from July 7, 2014


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