
Knute Rockne Has Nothing on Shoeless Joe Mikulik
Published on June 24, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release

Chad Pinder of the Midland RockHounds
(Midland RockHounds, Credit: Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds)
Chad Pinder went 3-for-5 with two RBI and extended his hitting streak to 12 games in the RockHounds' 6-4 loss to the Frisco RoughRiders on Tuesday night at Dr. Pepper Ballpark. (Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds)
The last time we saw Frisco manager Joe Mikulik, he was taking off (and throwing) his shoes (along with other assorted items) after a missed call at Security Bank Ballpark. The video of his tirade reached the national stage via Minor League Baseball's web site and ESPN's "Around the Horn." We doubt the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network noticed this time, but Joe's troops came out of the "Texas League halftime locker room" apparently inspired, claiming a 6-4 win over the RockHounds to open the season's second half.
A five-run fourth inning was the difference in the game, starting with a mammoth solo home run from Nomar Mazara, a drive to right that, literally, left the ballpark. Mazara's blast cut a 2-0 'Hounds lead in half and, one out later, six consecutive Frisco batters reached base safely as the RoughRiders sent 11 men to the plate and jumped to a 5-2 lead. Preston Beck had the biggest swing of the rally, a two-run double.
The RockHounds took a 2-0 lead in the first when Colin Walsh drew a bases-empty, two-out walk and stole second. After falling behind in the count, Renato Nuñez fouled off three 0-2 pitches before driving a 2-2 single to left, scoring Walsh. Chad Pinder then drove in Nuñez with the first of his three hits on the night, extending his hit streak to a dozen games.
Trailing, 6-3, the 'Hounds loaded the bases in the eighth, and drew within two runs on Chad Oberacker's RBI single, but the rally ended when Jaycob Brugman bounced into an inning-ending 1-2-3 double play.
David Martinez allowed a two-out single by Pinder in the ninth before closing the door for his second save in as many nights.
The RockHounds
... are 0-1 in the second half and 35-36 overall ... are 6-4 in their last 10, but have also dropped two straight ... are 3-4 on their (12-game) road trip (3-1 at San Antonio and 0-3 at Frisco) ... are 9-6 versus Frisco, with home field weighing heavily in the season series (the 'Hounds are 7-1 at Security Bank Ballpark and 2-5 at Dr Pepper Ballpark against the RoughRiders) ... are 21-15 at Security Bank Ballpark and 14-21 on the road ... are 23-24 versus the South Division and 12-12 versus the North.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT of the DAY: 106 - The number of pitches thrown, combined, in three half-innings by starters Jake Thompson and Chris Jensen. Thompson, rated the Texas Rangers' # 2 prospect by Baseball America, lasted just two innings after throwing 63 pitchers in the first two frames. Jensen threw 43 pitches (facing 11 batters) in the decisive fourth inning.
- Colin Walsh (1-for-4, two runs, two stolen bases, walk, strikeout) has now hit in nine straight games (11-28, .393) and has reached base safely in 14 consecutive games (19-47, .404). The RockHounds second baseman's remarkable consistency has also seem him reach base in 23-of-25 games (.359) and 43-of-46 games (.310). Colin is tied for ninth in the Texas League batting race with a .298 average and ranks among the TL's top five in hits, doubles, extra-base hits, on-base percentage, slugging, walks and runs scored.
- Chad Pinder (3-for-5, two RBI, strikeout) extended his hit streak to 12 games (22-54, .407). Like Walsh, the 'Hounds shortstop has been hitting the ball at a tremendous pace for an extended period. Chad has hit in 21-of-24 games (41-108, .380) and is hitting .364 in his last 30 games. He finished the first half hitting exactly .300 and ranks sixth in the league with a .307 average one game into the second half.
- Ryan Dull pitched a scoreless eighth inning, lowering his earned run average to 0.26 (one earned run in 35.0 innings over 24 appearances).
- The 'Hounds will face a Frisco team with a "big league" look to it Wednesday morning, with Matt Harrison on the mound for the Riders and Josh Hamilton in the lineup. Both are with Frisco on rehab assignments.
- The RockHounds continue their (season high) 12-game road trip with the series finale at Frisco, Wednesday morning at 11:05 a.m. The club then returns to San Antonio for another four-game set vs. the Missions ... Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m.
Images from this story
![]() Chad Pinder of the Midland RockHounds (Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds) |
Texas League Stories from June 24, 2015
- Musgrove, Hernandez Trip Missions - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Naturals Fall in Series Finale, 5-0 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- We're Sure the Rush Limbaugh Show Was Good - Midland RockHounds
- Drillers Fend off Cardinals, 6-5, in Homestand Finale - Springfield Cardinals
- Cantwell's Grand Slam Not Enough in Finale - Frisco RoughRiders
- Naturals Set to Host OnDeck Minor League Baseball National Game of the Week on Thursday, July 9 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Knute Rockne Has Nothing on Shoeless Joe Mikulik - Midland RockHounds
- Drillers Claim Tuesday Night Contest to Start Second Half - Springfield Cardinals
- Mazara Blasts 9th Homer to Send Riders to a 6-4 Victory - Frisco RoughRiders
- Tulsa Begins Second Half with 10-2 Rout - Tulsa Drillers
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