Milburn's Solid Start Leads RockHounds to Win
August 5, 2019 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
In five previous starts versus Corpus Christi this season, Matt Milburn had a 13.89 earned run average and had given up 48 hits in 23? innings. Two pitches into Friday night's game at Whataburger Field, that hit total was 50 and the Hooks led, 1-0, on back-to-back doubles from Bryan De La Cruz and Ronnie Dawson.
After six innings, that was still the only run the RockHounds right-hander had allowed and a "hat trick of home runs" had pushed the RockHounds to a 4-1 lead and the 'Hounds went on to defeat the Hooks, 5-3, for their third straight win.
The RockHounds, after hitting just four home runs (total) in July, hit two Thursday and three more Friday, two of them off the bat of Taylor Motter. Tyler Ramirez tied the game with an opposite field solo drive to left off starter Brandon Bailey in the second inning and Motter broke the tie with a two-run shot off Bailey in the fourth. His second of the game, the eventual game-winner, came of Chad Donato (solo) in the sixth.
Chase Calabuig's RBI single in the eighth provided an insurance run and the Hooks did make a run, scoring twice in the ninth off reliever Jesus Zambrano.
Milburn went six innings for the win, scattering seven hits (after the game-opening doubles) with two walks (no strikeouts) in what had to have been a remarkably satisfying performance.
The RockHounds ... a.k.a. the 1927 Yankees
Just to reinforce the stat listed, above, the RockHounds hit a total of four home runs in the month of July.
They have hit five in the first two games of August.
Notables
While the Hooks have (or had) been his nemesis, a little arithmetic brings out some interesting stats for Matt Milburn. He entered the game with a 13.89 ERA and a 2.14 WHIP against Corpus, having allowed 48 hits in 23? innings (as mentioned, above). Subtract those first five starts against Corpus and you get some very different numbers against the rest of the Texas League: A 3.69 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP and less than a hit per inning (89 hits in 90? IP).
The RockHounds gained a game on South Division-leading Amarillo, as Frisco defeated the Sod Poodles (and top prospect MacKenzie Gore ), 5-2, in the Panhandle. Amarillo (23-17) leads the RockHounds (22-18) by one game ... Frisco (19-20) by 3½ ... and Corpus Christi by four games.
Next Game
Saturday, August 3 vs. Corpus Christi Hooks
Whataburger Field Corpus Christi, Texas
First pitch 7:15 p.m.
- Third of a four-game series and road trip
- Radio: NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 7:05 p.m.
Probable Starters
CC: Tyler Ivey (RH, 3-0, 1.50)
RH: Kyle Friedrichs (RH, 5-5, 3.38)
Next at Security Bank Ballpark
The RockHounds return Monday, August 5, to open a seven-game homestand, hosting the Amarillo Sod Poodles (August 5-6-7) and the Corpus Christi Hooks (August 8-9-10-11).
Texas League Stories from August 5, 2019
- Naturals Can't Overcome Miscues, Fall 6-4 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Bahr Brilliant in 2-0 Defeat - Frisco RoughRiders
- Trio of Homers Lead Drillers over Cards - Tulsa Drillers
- Amarillo Rallies Past Hounds Late - Midland RockHounds
- Homestand Highlights: August 8 - August 11 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Sod Poodles Infielder Owen Miller Nabs Second Texas League Weekly Honor - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- Dallas Stars Night Highlights Week-Long Homestand in Frisco - Frisco RoughRiders
- RockHounds Fall in Finale to Hooks - Midland RockHounds
- Travs Cling to 3-2 Win in Series Finale - Springfield Cardinals
- Milburn's Solid Start Leads RockHounds to Win - Midland RockHounds
- Thompson-Williams Clutch in Win over Cardinals - Arkansas Travelers
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