'Hounds Push the Paz Button on Red-Hot RoughRiders
May 7, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Since joining the RockHounds from (Advanced-A) Stockton in late April (replacing the injured Carson Blair), Andy Paz had played in just two games. Saturday night, he was shoulder-to-shoulder with one of the league's top players in leading the 'Hounds to a 4-3 win in the opener of a four-game series with the league's best team, the Frisco RoughRiders.
Both Paz and Ryon Healy both homered, driving in three of the club's four runs. Healy's two-run drive to left-center put the 'Hounds on top, 3-2, in the fifth. After Lewis Brinson tied the game with a solo shot in the sixth, Paz produced what would become the game-winning run with a solo line drive home run to left in the seventh inning.
Aaron Kurcz earned his fourth save in five opportunities with two scoreless innings (his ERA dropped to 1.26 in the process).
Paz and Healy also contributed to an outstanding defensive performance. Healy had 15 putouts and four assists with multiple key efforts including a 3-6-3 double play that ended the game. Paz blocked a number of pitches with runners at third base over the course of the game and made a terrific catch, block and tag at the plate in the fifth. Andy took J.P. Sportman's throw from left on a single by Garrett Weber and tagged Alberto Triunfel out, denying what would have been the tying run.
The defensive effort also included (another) brilliant play from third baseman Matt Chapman, who made a diving stop on Zach Cone's would-be double down the line. Chappy's strong throw completed the play and would save a run, as the Riders followed with three consecutive singles (the last of them the play on which Sportman and Paz combined to throw out Triunfel).
Texas League Stories from May 7, 2016
- 'Hounds Push the Paz Button on Red-Hot RoughRiders - Midland RockHounds
- Cards Strike Early and Hang on for 6-4 Win in Tulsa - Springfield Cardinals
- Riders Drop One-Run Contest to Midland - Frisco RoughRiders
- Binford & Stout Blank Travs as Offense Struggles - Arkansas Travelers
- Cardinals Strike Early to Beat Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Earn First Shutout of the Season in 3-0 Win - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Hooks Blank San Antonio - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Riders Game Notes - 7:05 p.m. vs. Midland RockHounds - May 7, 2016 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Solid Performances Help Hooks Earn Split - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Sadzeck Guides Frisco to Sweep of San Antonio - San Antonio Missions
- Same-Day Redemption - Midland RockHounds
- Drillers Rout Travs for Second Straight Night - Arkansas Travelers
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