Just Doing a Little Sweeping at Midnight
Published on June 5, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
With the clock ticking toward midnight, the RockHounds scored as many runs in the top of the 14th inning as the 'Hounds and Tulsa had scored, combined, in the first 26 half-innings of the game.Jaycob Brugman's grand slam home run capped a six-run 14th inning in a 9-3 win, completing a three game sweep of the Drillers (the RockHounds' second three-game sweep of Tulsa in the last 10 days).
As he did Wednesday afternoon, Renato Nuñez, had the game-winning hit, a bases-loaded, tie-breaking single in the 14th. In the seventh his second two-run home run in as many games put the 'Hounds on the board and Carson Blair followed with a solo shot to tie the game at 3-3. After Blair's game-tying swing the RockHounds had only one base runner over the next six innings (Colin Walsh's leadoff double in the 11th) before sending 10 men to the plate in the decisive six-run rally.
Tulsa threatened to end the game in the ninth, but Josh Whitaker's strong throw from right field threw out pinch runner Jeremy Rathjen at the plate, with Blair hanging onto the throw after the collision at the dish, sending the clubs into "extras" for the second consecutive game.
The RockHounds
... are now 29-24 for the season ... are five games over .500 for the first time in 2015 ... are 5-1 in extra innings ... have won 7-of-9 ... have now swept Tulsa twice this season (a pair of three-game series) and are 6-0 versus the Drillers ... are 3-0 to open the current (six-game) road trip ... are 11-14 on the road and 18-10 at Security Bank Ballpark ... are 17-15 in South Division play and 12-9 versus the North Division ... are back to within six-and-a-half games of Corpus Christi (35-17) in the Texas League South ... have 17 games remaining to play in the half (Corpus has 18).
Kibbles & Bits
STAT of the DAY: Home runs were critical in each game of the RockHounds' sweep. Josh Whitaker broke a 5-5 tie with a game-winning drive in the ninth Tuesday night (6-5) ... Chad Pinder tied Wednesday's game with a home run in the ninth (he now shares the team lead with Matt Olson, each with seven home runs and 29 RBI) and Renato Nuñez won the game with a two-run shot in the 11th (5-3) ... Nuñez and Carson Blair went back-to-back in the seventh Thursday, Renato with another two-run homer and Carson with a game-tying solo shot ... Jaycob Brugman then capped the six-run inning with his grand slam.
- There have been seven grand slam home runs hit in the Texas League this season, the last four by RockHounds: Wade Kirkland (May 9 vs. Frisco), Chad PInder (May 22 at Corpus Christi), Bruce Maxwell (May 25 at Corpus Christi) and Jaycob Brugman (Thursday at Tulsa).
- The RockHounds bullpen "pitched a shutout," blanking the Drillers over the last nine innings of the game. Andres Avila, Tucker Healy, Bobby Wahl, Ryan Dull and Kris Hall (win) allowed a combined total of four hits and three walks, while striking out two batters.
- The 14 innings and time of game (4:42) are both team season highs.
- Chad Pinder (4-for-6, double, run) led the RockHounds with his second four-hit game of the season. Chad is hitting .377 (29-77) in his last 17 games and .350 (36-103) in his last 25. For the season, the 'Hounds shortstop has now raised his average to .294.
- Renato Nuñez (2-for-5, two runs, HR, three RBI, walk) extended his on-base streak to 19 games (17-75, .227).
- Josh Whitaker (0-for-6, walk, run) saw an 11-game hit streak end (he has reached base in 12 straight and 19-of-his-last-21 games).
- Matt Angle (0-for-5, walk, run) also saw a double-digit hit streak (a 10-gamer) end, but has reached base in 12 straight.
Probable Pitchers for Springfield Series
Friday at 7:10 p.m. - RockHounds RHP Jake Sanchez (4-3, 5.63) at Springfield LHP Jimmy Reed (first start)
Saturday at 6:10 p.m. - RockHounds LHP Chris Lamb (0-4, 14.68) at TBD
Sunday at 2:10 p.m. - RockHounds RHP Chris Jensen (4-3, 5.20) at Springfield RHP Thomas Lee (4-3, 4.98)
Texas League Stories from June 5, 2015
- Offense Delivers Again as Missions Take Series - San Antonio Missions
- Hazelbaker and Cardinals Drill RockHounds, 6-2 - Springfield Cardinals
- Riders Spoil De Leon's Debut Before Record Crowd - Tulsa Drillers
- Missions stun Naturals on Jones' walk-off in ninth - San Antonio Missions
- Travelers Take Series Opener - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Early Offense Not Enough as Missions Rally Late in 8-7 Loss - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Mazara, Robinson Go Yard as Riders Roll - Frisco RoughRiders
- RoughRiders' Recent Community Initiatives Achieve Tremendous Success - Frisco RoughRiders
- Arkansas Travelers Game to be Televised on American Sports Network Locally - Arkansas Travelers
- Just Doing a Little Sweeping at Midnight - Midland RockHounds
- Drillers Lose in Extra Innings in Olivera's Debut - Tulsa Drillers
- Missions' Bats Stay Hot in Win over Travs - Arkansas Travelers
- Evans Blast Downs Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- RoughRiders Avoid Sweep with Hard-Fought 8-7 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Adams' Big Night Powers Riders to Victory - Frisco RoughRiders
- San Antonio Takes Series as Offense Stays Hot - San Antonio Missions
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