Late Rally Dooms Hounds
Published on June 10, 2013 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
If Frisco rallies back to win the Texas League South Division first half title, the RoughRiders will look back to Sunday's ninth inning at Citibank ballpark as perhaps the most critical (and dramatic) point in the first half pennant race.
Trailing, 3-1, entering the last inning, Frisco tied the game on a two-run home run and scored the game-winning run by virtue of a pinch hit triple.
Odubel Herrera started the rally, fighting off a pair of two-strike pitches before punching a single between third and short. 'Hounds third baseman Dusty Coleman made a diving stop on the play, but Herrera beat the throw to first. Two pitches later, Brett Nicholas lifted a two-run home run through a strong cross-wind to right field, tying the game at 3-3. Pinch hitter Joe Benson then tripled to deep left-center and later scored what would be the game-winning on a chopper to shortstop.
The RockHounds broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth, with a Darwin Perez single and a walk to Conner Crumbliss setting the table. Perez, after stealing third base, scored on D'Arby Myers' sacrifice fly in foul territory to left field and Anthony Aliotti drove in Crumbliss with a double to right field, his 40th RBI of the season. Coleman drove in the RockHounds' first run with a triple to right in the fourth inning, scoring David Freitas.
Corpus tied the game at 1-1 with an unearned run in the sixth, helped by a (very uncharacteristic) pair of errors by right fielder Jake Goebbert.
Kibbles & Bits
- The clutch win moved the RoughRiders to within two-and-a-half games of first place Corpus Christi (the Hooks' game at San Antonio was a 6:00 start and had been delayed by rain) in the Texas League South. There are just eight games remaining in the first half pennant race, and Frisco hosts Corpus in a four-game series beginning next Wednesday.
- After starting the month of June 1-for-15 (with 10 strikeouts), Anthony Aliotti is now 10-for-his-last-21 and is hitting a league-best .359.
- Lost (figuratively and literally) in the Frisco comeback was an outstanding performance from RockHounds' starter Zach Neal, who went seven innings, allowing one (unearned) run on two hits. Ironically, after Kyler Newby retired the RoughRiders in order in the eighth, the RockHounds' bullpen hadn't allowed a run in 16-and-two-thirds innings. Frisco then scored three in the ninth.
- Joe Benson, whose pinch hit triple turned into the game-winning run, was acquired by Texas from Minnesota via waivers. He has been rated as high as # 2 among Twins' prospects, and was only available because Minnesota needed to clear a roster spot. He was 7-for-18 after joining Frisco before being sidelined for more than a week with a groin injury, but his first at bat upon returning was the clutch triple.
- The RockHounds continue one of the season's best home stands with a Monday evening game (6:30 first pitch). Tickets are just two dollars with a coupon from any Permian Basin 7-Eleven store. The home stand also includes "Thirsty Thursday" (the 13th) ... Kids' Jersey Night (Friday the 14th) ... and A.J. Griffin Bobblehead Doll Night (Saturday the 15th).
WP Wilmer Font (1-1, 1.44)
LP Brett Hunter (0-1, 2.57)
SV Richard Bleier (2, 4.60)
HR Brett Nicholas (13) A 2-run HR in the 9th (off Frank Gailey)
Next Game
vs. Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers' AA Affiliate)
Monday, June 10 6:30 p.m. Radio at 6:15 p.m.
Citibank Ballpark
Probable Starters
Frisco (RH) Neil Ramirez (6-2, 3.38)
RockHounds (RH) Arnold Leon (3-3, 3.38)
Texas League Stories from June 10, 2013
- Sulbaran, Naturals Earn Third Straight Win - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Seven-Run Second Inning Powers Missions to 10-4 Rout of Hooks - San Antonio Missions
- Early Hit-Barrage Sends 'Riders Past Midland, 6-3 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Travs Drop Third Straight at NW Arkansas - Arkansas Travelers
- Merrifield & Graterol Return; McClure Transferred - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Cardinals Edged By Drillers, 5-3 - Springfield Cardinals
- Matzek, Nina Help Drillers Past Cards - Tulsa Drillers
- RoughRiders Receive Life Saving AEDs From Living for Zachary - Frisco RoughRiders
- Ryan Rodebaugh Called Up to Round Rock - Frisco RoughRiders
- Pimentel Snags Second Pitcher of the Week Honors - Frisco RoughRiders
- Travs Return Home June 12 - 19 - Arkansas Travelers
- Naturals' Fletcher Named TL Player of the Week - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Late Rally Dooms Hounds - Midland RockHounds
- Four-Run Fifth Foils Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Squander Lead, Drop Third Straight - Arkansas Travelers
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