Hounds Winning Streak Snapped by Naturals
Published on August 27, 2019 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
The RockHounds' five-game win streak was stopped ... and their playoff drive interrupted ... as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals won the opener of a four-game series, 7-2, Monday night at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Arkansas.
Brady Singer, the Kansas City Royals' # 2 prospect, went seven strong innings for the win and the Naturals took complete control with a four-run sixth inning, breaking open a tight game and building a 7-1 advantage.
The 'Hounds had drawn to within 2-1 in the fourth on a Tyler Ramirez RBI double and had two men on with one out in the fifth before Chase Calabuig (see below) sent a sharp ground ball to third that the Naturals turned into an inning-ending around the horn double play.
After denying the RockHounds in the top of the fifth, Northwest Arkansas then scored a key run in the home half of the inning to build the lead to 3-1 and the four-run sixth put the Naturals in command.
Former RockHounds Kevin Merrell and Dairon Blanco went a combined 4-for-7 for the Naturals and each had an RBI (Darion added his 32d stolen base of the season).
The 'Hounds, very much out of character, committed four errors in the game and Singer didn't need that much "help." The right-hander scattered six hits and struck out seven without walking a batter.
The Texas League South Division
Frisco was the only South Division club to win Monday night, so Amarillo keeps its two-game lead in the second half race and the RoughRiders gained a game on the RockHounds in the wild card chase.
The RockHounds (67-65) lead Frisco (64-67) by 2½ games and the Corpus Christi Hooks (64-67) by three games in the wild card race.
The RockHounds' magic number to clinch a playoff spot is four (4) over Corpus Christi and five (5) over Frisco.
There are just seven (7) games remaining in the Texas League's 2019 regular season.
The Curse "Lives!"
We often kid on RockHounds Radio about the "Texas League Player of the Week Curse." Maybe we weren't kidding.
Chase Calabuig was, deservedly, named the TL Player of the Week. He entered Monday's game 11-for-16 in his last four games and had reached base in 15-of-20 plate appearances ... with six runs, three doubles and six RBI. No such thing as a curse? Chase went 0-for-4 Monday night ... grounded into a double play and struck out three times!
Next Game
Tuesday, August 27 vs. NW Arkansas Naturals
Arvest Ballpark Springdale, Arkansas
First pitch 7:05 p.m.
- Second of a four-game series and an eight-game road trip (NW Arkansas & Springfield)
- Radio: NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 7:00 p.m.
Probable Starters
NWA: Gerson Garabito (RH, 6-10, 4.14)
RH: James Kaprielian (RH, 2-1, 1.96)
Texas League Stories from August 27, 2019
- Tulsa Tops Amarillo for Fourth Straight Win - Tulsa Drillers
- Garabito Strong But Naturals Fall to 'Hounds - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Travs' Hurlers K 16 Hooks in Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Hooks Rally Falls Short in Loss to Arkansas - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Profar Sparks Success in Springfield - Frisco RoughRiders
- Dylan Carlson Named 2019 Texas League Player of the Year - Springfield Cardinals
- Darren McCaughan Named TL Pitcher of the Year - Arkansas Travelers
- Carlson, McCaughan Claim Texas League Player and Pitcher of the Year - TL1
- Hounds Winning Streak Snapped by Naturals - Midland RockHounds
- Cardinals Fall 10-7 in Extras - Springfield Cardinals
- Travs Pitch Lights out in Win over Hooks - Arkansas Travelers
- Drillers Returning to the Texas League Playoffs - Tulsa Drillers
- Sod Poodles Drop Series Opener 9-2 to Tulsa, Remain Two Games Ahead of Midland - Amarillo Sod Poodles
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