Never Trust a Duck
June 22, 2015 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Midland RockHounds Pitcher Jake Sanchez
(Midland RockHounds, Credit: Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds)
Going into the last of the seventh inning Sunday night in Frisco, the RockHounds had "all their ducks in a row."
Jake Sanchez turned in a quality start ... Josh Whitaker's three-run home run had given the 'Hounds a 4-2 lead ... and Tucker Healy, Seth Frankoff and Ryan Dull were lined up, set pitch one inning each and seal the deal. So much for ducks.
After Healy tossed a scoreless seventh, Frankoff had a (very) rare off night, allowing four consecutive hits in a two-run eighth inning. Frisco scored twice (just the second blown save for Seth in 19 opportunities over two seasons as a member of the RockHounds) and the 4-4 tie would stand until the RoughRiders scored against (position player) Wade Kirkland in the 15th inning for a 5-4 win (time of game was 5:07).
Sanchez went six innings, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out four. He allowed a run in the second on a walk and Edwin Garcia's RBI double and a solo home run by Nomar Mazara in the sixth.
The RockHounds answered both times, beginning with a solo homer from Carson Blair (his second home run in the first five days of the road trip) and Whitaker's three-run shot with two on and two out in the seventh (off reliever Jesus Pirela).
After Frisco tied the game at 4-4 in the eighth, relievers Kris Hall, Andres Avila (see below) and Chris Lamb combined to pitch seven shutout innings. By the 15th, the club was out of available arms and Kirkland was pressed into duty. A pair of singles by Garcia and Preston Beck (on an 0-2 pitch) set the table and Guilder Rodriguez's sacrifice bunt was compounded by a throwing error, allowing Garcia to score the winning run.
The RockHounds
... are 35-34 with one game remaining in the first half ... have won six-of-their-last-eight ... lost for just the second time in extra-innings (7-2) ... are 3-2 on their (12-game) road trip (3-1 at San Antonio and 0-1 at Frisco) ... are 9-4 versus Frisco (7-1 at Security Bank Ballpark and 2-3 at Dr Pepper Ballpark) ... are 21-15 at Security Bank Ballpark and 14-19 on the road ... are 23-22 versus the South Division and 12-12 versus the North.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT of the DAY: Andres Avila's performance (three shutout innings) Sunday deserves recognition. The right-hander entered Sunday's game with a season earned run average of 6.06, most of the "damage" coming in three previous appearances against Frisco. Andres had a 15.13 ERA versus the RoughRiders and 1.64 against the other four Texas league clubs he has faced since being promoted from (Advanced-A) Stockton. Sunday, he allowed no runs on one hit, walking one and striking out six.
- Colin Walsh (1-for-3, double, run, three walks, sac bunt, two strikeouts) had now reached base in 11 straight games (15-37, .405). Colin is hitting .354 (29-82) in his last 22 games and has reached base in 41-of-his-last-43(with a .304 average in that span). He is eighth in the Texas League with a .297 average and ranks among the TL's top five in hits, doubles, extra-base hits, OBP, slugging, walks and runs scored.
- The RockHounds continue their (season high) 12-game road trip with three more games at Frisco. The clubs meet Monday and Tuesday evenings (both at 7:05) and Wednesday morning at 11:05. The 'Hounds then punch their return ticket to San Antonio (June 25-28).
- Monday marks the end of the Texas League's first half, with all eight clubs reverting to 0-0 for the start of the second half (Tuesday).
Images from this story
 Midland RockHounds Pitcher Jake Sanchez (Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds) |
Texas League Stories from June 22, 2015
- Cantwell's Blast Sends Riders to 5-4 Win over Midland - Frisco RoughRiders
- Drillers Post Win in First-Half Finale - Tulsa Drillers
- Stout Pitching Stymies Naturals in Loss to Travelers - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Wisdom Named Texas League Player of the Week - Springfield Cardinals
- O'Toole, Hooks Release New Theme Song - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Naturals 2015 Playoff Tickets on Sale Today - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Missions Split Double Dip with Hooks - San Antonio Missions
- 4th at the Field at Arvest Ballpark on Saturday, July 4 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Never Trust a Duck - Midland RockHounds
- Riders Walk off in 15th Inning to End Losing Skid - Frisco RoughRiders
- Drillers Bounce Back to Win in Extras - Tulsa Drillers
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