Of Long Balls, Shutouts & Tacos
June 9, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Midland RockHounds Pitcher Bobby Wahl
(Midland RockHounds, Credit: Frank Longobardo)
Corpus Christi used the long ball and an outstanding pitching performance from Francis Martes to defeat the RockHounds, 7-0, on Thursday night at Whataburger Field. The win was the Hooks' third straightt in the series and the shutout was their league-leading eighth of the year. The win was capped ... much to the delight of a crowd of 4,723 ... with a 10-strikeout night for Hooks pitching. The 10 K's meant free tacos for the fans, and whiff number 10 came in the ninth inning, accompanied by a crazed frenzy of anticipation from the home crowd.
Despite a season ERA of 7.50, RockHounds starter Joel Seddon had been very effective against Corpus Christi, posting a 1.69 ERA in his first two appearances against the Hooks, but was roughed up on Thursday night. Alex Bregman's first inning triple and an RBI double from Derek Fisher put the game's first run on the board in the first inning. Alfredo Gonzalez' 0-2 flair double, just over the glove of first baseman Viosergy Rosa, in the second was followed by Alejandro Garcia's first home run of the season, a two-run drive to left field, giving the Hooks a 3-0 lead.
After Seddon retired Bregman, Fisher and J.D. Davis (a combined 108 RBI between them) in the third, the Hooks broke the game open with back-to-back monster home runs in the fourth. Chase McDonald led off with his second HR in as many games, a drive to deep left, and Conrad Gregor took Seddon's next delivery out to right. The Hooks rekindled the rally with two outs and Bregman made it 7-0 with a two-run double.
Martes was "effectively wild" at times, throwing behind Tyler Marincov in one at-bat ... buzzing Matt Chapman's "tower" in another ... and with several pitches going either up-and-in or back to the backstop, all of it (obviously) unintentional. Martes, more often than not, followed an errant pitch with an outstanding delivery. The Astros' # 2 prospect walked only one batter while striking out nine.
The RockHounds
... are 27-31 (14-14 at Security Bank Ballpark and 13-17 on the road) ... have dropped six straight ... are four games under .500 for the first time in 2016 ... are 8-7 versus Corpus Christi (4-3 at Whataburger Field and 4-4 at Security Bank Ballpark) ... are 15-19 versus the South.
... are now 10 games behind front-running Corpus Christi in the Texas League South, with 12 games (11 days) remaining in the first half race.
... continue their eight-game (nine-day) road trip on Friday night at Corpus Christi (7:05 p.m.), followed by a four-game series at Frisco (June 11-14) against the RoughRiders. The 'Hounds return to Security Bank Ballpark on Wednesday, June 15, to open a 12-day, 13-game home stand (June 15-26). For ticket and team information (tickets may be purchased online), visit the 'Hounds web site at www.midlandrockhounds.org.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT of the DAY The two first place teams in the Texas League first half pennant races have ascended to their respective top spots with outstanding stretches of winning baseball. Since opening the season 8-17, the Tulsa Drillers (despite a 3-1 loss at home to Northwest Arkansas on Thursday) are 25-8 in their last 33 games (a .757 winning percentage). Corpus Christi, once 14-15, went on an 11-game win streak at that point and the Hooks are now 23-6 in their last 29 games (.793).
- The Hooks have hit six home runs in the last two games, with the long ball producing 10 of the 13 runs scored by Corpus Christi in the two contests.
- Relievers Ben Bracewell and Bobby Wahl were outstanding out of the 'Hounds bullpen on Thursday. Bracewell, who has pitched effectively in a variety of roles (including two saves), entered the game with the Hooks rolling, 7-0. He ended the Hooks' fourth-inning rally, then escaped a pair of jams, going 2.1 scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 1.71 in 12 appearances. Wahl was dominant, facing and retiring six batters (seventh and eighth innings), striking out five.
- J.P. Sportman (0-for-4) saw a nine-game hit streak come to an end and Wade Kirkland (0-for-3) lost a six-game hitting streak.
Images from this story
 Midland RockHounds Pitcher Bobby Wahl (Frank Longobardo) |
Texas League Stories from June 9, 2016
- Of Long Balls, Shutouts & Tacos - Midland RockHounds
- DeJong Blasts Cards to 11th Inning Win - Arkansas Travelers
- DeJong Belts Walk-Off Blast in 11th for 4-3 Cardinals Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Kelly Impresses Again as Missions Blank 'Riders - San Antonio Missions
- Riders Shut out in San Antonio - Frisco RoughRiders
- Drillers Record Win Streak Snapped at 10 - Tulsa Drillers
- Junis, Ramos Spoil the Party in Tulsa, 3-1 Win over Drillers - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Martes Cruises in Dominant Performance - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Choctaw Lazy River Opening Set for Friday During Heroes Game - Frisco RoughRiders
- Silver Sluggers Memberships Still Available for 2016 Season - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- All-Star Game T-Shirt and Ticket Package Available Right Now - Springfield Cardinals
- Dingers and Defense Propel Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- San Antonio Racks up 13 Hits in 11-2 Rout of Frisco - San Antonio Missions
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