Ladies & Gentlemen, the RockHounds Marching Band
June 23, 2015 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
It is "halftime" in the 2015 Texas League season. There is, of course, no 'Hounds marching band. In fact there is no break at all, as the league's eight clubs all return to action Tuesday. When the teams next set their spikes on the diamond, each will start with a clean slate and a 0-0 mark.
Frisco captured the first half finale, 5-4, with the lead changing hands twice in the final three half-innings.
Colin Walsh greeted Texas Rangers left-hander Martin Perez (making a rehab assignment start) with a solo home run on the game's first pitch. Perez went three innings, allowing only the game-opening run on two hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
The RockHounds trailed, 3-2, after the RoughRiders broke a 2-2 tie with an unearned run in the seventh, but Matt Angle's bases-loaded single in the eighth drove in a pair of runs to put the 'Hounds back on top, 4-3.
The scoring then ended the way it began - - with the long ball. Patrick Cantwell's first home run of the year was a game-winner, a two-run drive that cleared the fence in left-center, scoring Drew Robinson, who had reached base on an 0-2 single moments earlier.
The RockHounds
... finished the first half 35-35 ... have won six-of-their-last-nine, but have also dropped two straight ... are 3-3 on their (12-game) road trip (3-1 at San Antonio and 0-2 at Frisco) ... are 9-5 versus Frisco (7-1 at Security Bank Ballpark and 2-4 at Dr Pepper Ballpark) ... are 21-15 at Security Bank Ballpark and 14-20 on the road ... finished the first half at .500 against both the South (23-23) and North (12-12) Divisions.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT of the DAY: Congratulations to first half champions Corpus Christi (South Division) and Northwest Arkansas (North). The Hooks finished with a tremendous 48-22 mark, narrowly missing just the third 50-win half in the last 39 Texas League seasons.
- Colin Walsh (1-for-2, solo HR, three walks, strikeout, stolen base) has now reached base in 13 straight games and is hitting .419 (18-43) in the 13-gamer. He has been remarkably consistent, reaching base in 42 of his last 45 games, batting .311 in that span. Colin is tied for ninth in the Texas League batting race with a .299 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 (1-for-5, run, strikeout) extended his hit streak to 11 games (19-49, .388). Chad is hitting .355 over his last 29 games.
- Matt Angle (1-3, walk) has reached base in 19 straight games and gave the 'Hounds a 4-3 lead with his two-run single in the eighth.
- Chris Jensen has been named the Texas League Pitcher of the Week for June 15-21. In two appearances (each a "quality start"), Chris returned to the form that made him a 2014 Texas League Postseason All-Star, going 14.0 innings (seven in each start) and allowing three runs (one earned) on eight hits, with five walks and nine strikeouts. Chris was 1-1, with a 0.64 ERA for the two starts.
- Bobby Wahl has been placed on the disabled list and Omar Duran has joined the club from (Advanced-A) Stockton. Omar, who spent part of last season with the RockHounds, opened the season in the Detroit Tigers organization after signing as a free agent in the off-season. Released by the Tigers in early May, the left-hander re-signed with Oakland on May 15. He was 2-0, 5.17 with one save for Stockton.
- The RockHounds continue their (season high) 12-game road trip, and open the season's second half, with games Tuesday (7:05 p.m.) and Wednesday (11:05 a.m.) at Frisco. The 'Hounds then punch their return ticket to San Antonio to conclude the 12-gamer (June 25-28).
Texas League Stories from June 23, 2015
- Arkansas Starts Second Half with 7-4 Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Hooks Drop Third Straight - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Morin Homers, Naturals Fall 7-4 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Josh Hamilton to Rehab in Frisco on Wednesday - Frisco RoughRiders
- Missions Trio Shares College World Series Experience - San Antonio Missions
- Cory Luebke to Rehab with San Antonio - San Antonio Missions
- Jensen Named Texas League Pitcher of the Week - Midland RockHounds
- All-Star Afterglow: JB and the Moonshine Band - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Ladies & Gentlemen, the RockHounds Marching Band - Midland RockHounds
- Jankowski, Missions Pen Turn Away Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Arms & Five-Run Fifth Fuel Monday Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Drillers Close First Half with 4-3 Win - Springfield Cardinals
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