Howard Shines in Hounds Fourth Straight Win
July 28, 2018 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Four members of the RockHounds (six-man) rotation opened the season with the Stockton Ports of the (Advanced-A) California League. And, while Jesus Luzardo is the most high-profile of the quartet, he's not the only one having success at the Double-A level.
Brian Howard turned in one of the club's finest pitching performances of the season Friday night, leading the 'Hounds to a 5-3 victory over the Hooks at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The 6-foot-9 right-hander tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out eight to earn his first win as a RockHound. In the process, he lowered his ERA to 2.55 in six starts.
The 'Hounds took a 5-0 lead into the ninth before the Hooks pushed the game to the brink. Reliever Miguel Romero allowed a pair of inning-opening walks and, one out later, a three-run opposite field home run to Carmen Benedetti. Kyle Finnegan relieved Romero and (very uncharacteristically) walked two batters before striking pinch hitter Josh Rojas and ending the game with a nice defensive play on Chas McCormick's sharp shot back to the box.
Seth Brown opened the scoring with his 11th home run (and 66th RBI) of the season, a drive to deep right in the second inning.
Nate Mondou drove in one run and Luis Barrera plated two with singles in the fourth and Eli White's sixth-inning knock closed the 'Hounds scoring.
The win was the RockHounds' fourth in-a-row ... a season-high streak ... and their fifth in six games. The club is now 4-1 on the current, seven-game road trip.
Notables
Richie Martin (2-for-4, run, HBP, SB, CS) has reached base in eight seven straight games (hits in seven of them), going 11-for-34 (.324 ... corrected) with two doubles, three RBI and three steals. In his last 12 games, Richie is 17-49 (.347) with three doubles, HR, four RBI and six stolen bases.
Seth Brown (1-for-2, two runs, solo HR, walk) has hit in six-of-seven games, hitting .310 (9-for-29, two doubles, triple, two HR and seven RBI). The solo shot Friday gives Seth 66 RBI (now fourth in the Texas League).
After being kept off base for just the second time in 24 games in the series opener Thursday, Eli White went 2-for-4 (walk, RBI) and has reached in 23-of-25 games. In that span, he is hitting .375 (36-for-96), with nine doubles, two triples, two HR and 13 RBI. Add in 18 walks and two HBP and Eli's on-base percentage .466 over the 25 games.
While the Hooks cooled him off Friday night, Tyler Ramirez (0-for-4, four strikeouts, HBP) has reached base in four straight games, going 6-for-17 (.353), with two home runs and eight RBI.
Jonah Heim (0-for-3, two K's, HBP) has reached base in five straight games (7-for-18, .389).
Luis Barrera (2-for-4, two RBI) has reached base in five straight (7-19, .368) with a double, triple, four RBI and a stolen base. In his last seven games, Luis is 9-for-25 (.360) with a double, triple and five RBI. He has added three walks (no K's) with three steals in four attempts.
J.P. Sportman (1-for-4, two K's) has hit in six straight games (6-for-24, .250).
I'm Not Tim Kurkjian Or Anything, Just Sayin' ...
Baseball is Goofy ... Again: Corpus Christi pitchers struck our 14 batters Friday night ... and the Hooks lost.
I'm also, unfortunately, not an "I-T" guy. The Whataburger Field Internet network suffered a widespread breakdown Friday night and, as a result, we were unable to bring you the radio broadcast. That's a VERY rare occurrence in Corpus and we'll look forward to being back with you Saturday evening at "the beach!"
Next Game
Saturday, July 28 vs. Corpus Christi Hooks
Whataburger Field Corpus Christi, Texas
First pitch 7:05 p.m. NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 7:00 p.m.
- Third of a four-game series and sixth of a seven-game road trip
- July 28-29 at Corpus Christi
- 'Hounds return home Monday, July 30 (a one week homestand through Sunday, August 4)
Probable Starters
CC: T B A
RH: Logan Shore (RH, 1-5, 5.07)
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Texas League Stories from July 28, 2018
- Cardinals Erase 5-Run Deficit, Win 7-6 in Front of Sellout Crowd - Springfield Cardinals
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- Travs Walk-Off Drillers in Thriller - Arkansas Travelers
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- Cardinals Strike Late in 7-6 Win over Naturals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Howard Shines in Hounds Fourth Straight Win - Midland RockHounds
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