Misadventures in Base Running
April 24, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Three moments were critical in deciding Sunday afternoon's game at Nelson Wolff Stadium, the last of them a self-inflicted rally-snuffer which cost the RockHounds a great scoring opportunity in the eighth inning.
Despite trailing, 5-0, after the first inning the 'Hounds twice rallied back to within a run. Matt Chapman's leadoff double in the eighth was followed by a walk to Viosergy Rosa (with Chapman advancing to third on a wild pitch on ball four). Franklin Barreto then ripped an RBI single to center, scoring "Chappy," cutting the lead to 6-5.
With runners at first and third (and no outs), the 'Hounds tried to sacrifice the runners up. When Beau Taylor missed on a bunt attempt, Rosa was caught and tagged out in a rundown between second and third and Barreto was then caught off first to complete the double play.
In the Missions' first inning, leadoff batter Nelson Ward took a (very) close 1-2 pitch, evening the count at 2-2. Instead of an inning-opening strikeout, Chris Jensen's next pitch hit Ward, opening the door to a five-run inning (three hits, two hit batsmen and a sacrifice fly).
The third game-changing moment came in the top of the second. Chapman led off with a drive to deep center field, with Auston Bousfield making a tremendous in-stride catch at the wall. The catch would save a run, as Rosa, Franklin Barreto and Taylor followed with consecutive singles. Wade Kirkland's sacrifice fly and Brett Vertigan's perfect bunt single put the 'Hounds on the board and Taylor's two-run double in the sixth cut San Antonio's lead to 5-4.
The RockHounds
... are 8-8 (5-1 at Security Bank Ballpark and 3-7 on the road) after dropping the last three games of the series at San Antonio.
... are tied with the Missions, 3.5 games behind first-place Frisco (11-4). The RoughRiders and Corpus Christi (9-6) were rained out in Corpus Christi on Sunday afternoon (Frisco now hosts San Antonio in a four-game series).
... continue their eight-game road trip with a four-game series at Corpus Christi versus the Hooks (Double-A Affiliate of the Houston Astros). Games are Monday through Thursday (first pitch each evening is 7:05 p.m.).
... return to Security Bank Ballpark next Friday (April 29) to open an eight-game homestand, facing division rivals San Antonio & Corpus Christi.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT OF THE DAY San Antonio shortstop Jose Rondon had a monster series for the Missions. Rated the San Diego Padres' # 5 prospect by Baseball America, Rondon went 7-for-12 with three doubles and seven RBI in the four-game set.
- Franklin Barreto broke out of an 0-for-13 slump Saturday with a 3-for-4 night at the plate, then went 2-for-3 Sunday afternoon. The 'Hounds shortstop had two singles and was hit by a pitch Sunday, scoring two runs and driving in another.
- After going 0-for-4 opening night, Viosergy Rosa (1-for-1, three walks, two runs) has now hit in 11 of his last 13 games, hitting .359 (14-for-39).
- Matt Chapman (1-for-3, double, run, walk) has hit in six of his last seven games (10-for-26, .385 with three doubles, three HR, seven RBI).
- Despite a rough first inning, Chris Jensen went six innings, going five or more innings for the 50th time in 58 career starts with the 'Hounds.
Texas League Stories from April 24, 2016
- Travs Commit Three Errors in Sloppy Finale - Arkansas Travelers
- Misadventures in Base Running - Midland RockHounds
- Ninth Inning Comeback Leads Drillers to Victory - Tulsa Drillers
- Cardinals Clobber Travs, 10-2, in Sunday Finale - Springfield Cardinals
- Tulsa Rallies Late for Series Finale Win - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Fast Start Carries Missions to Series Win - San Antonio Missions
- San Antonio Takes Series Behind Five-Run First Inning - San Antonio Missions
- Sunday's RoughRiders Game Postponed - Frisco RoughRiders
- Hooks-RoughRiders Series Finale Postponed - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Riders Game Notes - 2:05 p.m. at Corpus Christi Hooks - April 24, 2016 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Former Rider Cody Ege Promoted to the Show - Frisco RoughRiders
- Mayfield's Memories - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Baker Blanks Travs as Streak Is Snapped - Arkansas Travelers
- "That's Baseball" - Stu Paul - Midland RockHounds
- Baker and the Cardinals Blank the Travs, 3-0 - Springfield Cardinals
- Torres Slam Leads Missions to Victory - San Antonio Missions
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