Of Fortnights & Magic Numbers
Published on August 26, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
The RockHounds entered the final "fortnight" (two weeks) of the Texas League season closing in on a postseason berth and a second half pennant. A four-run rally in the last of the eighth inning gave the 'Hounds a 6-4 win over the Corpus Christi Hooks at Security Bank Ballpark Tuesday night, and brought the club to within one victory of a return to the Texas League playoffs (see below).
The 'Hounds trailed, 3-2, entering the eighth. Jaycob Brugman's one-out double to the power alley in right-center was followed by a pair of walks, loading the bases and bringing Hooks closer Jandel Gustave into the game. Chad Oberacker's fielder's choice (on an 0-2 pitch) scored Brugman with the tying run, followed by Colin Walsh's RBI single up the middle and a two-run double to right-center off the bat of Ryon Healy.
Bruce Maxwell drove in the 'Hounds' first run and scored the second, finishing 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and a key walk (in the eighth-inning rally). His battery mate, starter Chris Jensen, went seven strong innings, with Jeff Urlaub earning the win in relief and Brendan McCurry (see below) closing the door for the save. The 'Hounds won their sixth straight game and improved to a league-best 42-22 at home.
The RockHounds
... are 40-17 in the second half and 75-52 overall (again setting a new season-high at 23 games over .500) ... have won six straight ... 8-of-9 ... and 13-of-15 ... are 29-10 in their last 39 games (a .744 winning percentage) ... are 13-16 versus Corpus Christi in 2015 (6-7 at Security Bank Ballpark an 7-9 at Whataburger Field) ... are 42-22 at Security Bank Ballpark (the league's best home mark) and 33-30 on the road (a season-best three above .500) ... are 46-33 vs. the South Division and 29-19 vs. the North.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT OF THE DAY There are seven Texas League hitters with batting averages of .300 or better, and the RockHounds have four of them: Chad Pinder (second, .318) ... Ryon Healy (third, .308), Colin Walsh (fourth, .306) and Chad Oberacker (tied for sixth, .300). "Obie" returned to action Tuesday night, back in the lineup for the first time since August 3 (abdominal).
- Ryon Healy has hit in 10 straight games (21-for-48, .438) ... in 22 of his last 23 games (42-for-104, .404) and is hitting just under .400 (.391) in his last 38 games. Healy was named the Texas League's Player of the Week for August 17-23, his second such honor in the last four weeks.
- Colin Walsh reached base in each of his five plate appearances Tuesday night (two singles, three walks) and has now reached base in 17 straight games (20-for-60, .333 with 25 walks and one HBP, a .535 on-base percentage). Since May 4, Walsh has reached base in a remarkable 92-of-99 games. The RockHounds second baseman leads the Texas League with a .447 OBP.
- Brendan McCurry recorded his third save (in as many opportunities) with the RockHounds Tuesday night. McCurry was promoted to the 'Hounds when Ryan Dull was sent up to (Triple-A) Nashville in late July, departing the Stockton Ports as the (Advanced-A) California League's top closer. The 22nd round draft choice in 2014 (Oklahoma State University) is now 24-for-25, combined, in save chances this season.
By the Numbers
Texas League South: The RockHounds now lead Corpus Christi (31-26) by nine games with 13 to play, with three head-to-head games remaining in the series at Security Bank Ballpark. San Antonio (25-32) has been eliminated and Frisco (27-29) is now on the brink of elimination.
Magic numbers:
- One (1) to clinch a playoff spot (eliminating Frisco) ... one RockHounds win or one RoughRiders loss
- Five (5) to clinch the second half pennant (over Corpus Christi) ... any combination of RockHounds wins and Hooks losses
The RockHounds have 13 games to play in the regular season: Frisco (six, three home and three road), San Antonio (four, road) and Corpus Christi (three, home).
Texas League Stories from August 26, 2015
- Robinson Knocks Inside the Park Homer in Win - Frisco RoughRiders
- Naturals Edge Cardinals, 5-3, on Wednesday - Springfield Cardinals
- Naturals Defeat Cardinals Behind Bonifacio - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Celebrate Louie's 10th Birthday at Sky Zone this Saturday - Springfield Cardinals
- OKC Thunder Night at ONEOK Field on Saturday - Tulsa Drillers
- Carlos Corporan to Rehab with RoughRiders - Frisco RoughRiders
- Frisco RoughRiders Back on Fox Sports Southwest Thursday - Frisco RoughRiders
- Whataburger Field: the Place to Be - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Of Fortnights & Magic Numbers - Midland RockHounds
- Newcomb No-Hits Tulsa over 7 in Win - Arkansas Travelers
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