Oh Well, There Goes Our Perfect Week
Published on May 1, 2016 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Midland RockHounds Pitcher Corey Walter
(Midland RockHounds, Credit: Alan Jamison)
The RockHounds' week began with a 7-0 deficit after just two innings on Monday (April 25) night at Corpus Christi and ended with a 5-2 loss to the San Antonio Missions on a cloudy, windy and cool Sunday afternoon at Security Bank Ballpark. That might sound like a less than successful week on the diamond, but the 'Hounds (who erased that deficit Monday and defeated the Hooks, 8-7, in 14 innings) finished with a 6-1 record.
After the comeback win triggered a four-game sweep at "the beach," the 'Hounds took the first two games of their home stand with 19-7 and 4-3 wins over San Antonio. The Missions responded with Sunday's 5-2 victory, snapping a six-game losing streak of their own in the process.
The Missions broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the fifth, highlighted by Yeison Asencio's first home run of the season, a two-run shot onto the grass berm in right field. Starter Luis Diaz and reliever Adam Cimber (see "Stat of the Day," below) combined to limit the 'Hounds to just six hits.
For the third straight game, the Missions took the lead in the top of the first, this time on a two-run double from former big leaguer Mike Olt. The lead held until the fourth, when the RockHounds loaded the bases on a Ryon Healy double and back-to-back walks to Matt Chapman and Viosergy Rosa. Beau Taylor (fielder's choice) and J.P. Sportman (single) each drove in a run, knotting the score at 2-2.
The Missions came right back with a single and stolen base from catcher Ryan Miller to lead off the fifth. Jose Rondon's RBI single then brought Miller home with the game-winning run and Asencio followed with his two-run homer, building the advantage to three runs.
The RockHounds
... are 14-9 (7-2 at Security Bank Ballpark and 7-7 on the road) ... saw a six-game win streak snapped ... are 3-4 versus San Antonio.
... remain second in the Texas League South, four games behind Frisco (pending the outcome of the RoughRiders' home game Sunday versus Corpus Christi). The RoughRiders (17-4) lead the Hooks by eight games and San Antonio by nine entering Sunday evening's game.
... host San Antonio Monday evening (first pitch 6:30 p.m.), followed by a four-game set with the Corpus Christi Hooks Tuesday through Friday. Thursday's game is a Cinco de Mayo celebration with a Thirsty Thursday and postgame fireworks.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT OF THE DAY Twelve - - The number of pitches it took San Antonio's Luis Diaz and Adam Cimber to escape two critical jams. In each case, after a 'Hounds hitter doubled, the next two batters struck out, each on just three pitches. With the Missions leading, 2-0, in the second, Matt Chapman led off with a two-bagger. Diaz then struck out Viosergy Rosa and Beau Taylor on a combined six pitches and induced an inning-ending foul out. In the eighth, Ryon Healy greeted Cimber (who relieved Diaz with a man on and one out) with a double, putting runners at second and third and bringing the tying run to the plate. Cimber answered by striking out Chapman and Rosa (again, on a total of six pitches) to end the inning and the threat.
- Corey Walter made the first start of his pro career (his 73rd appearance overall) in the place of Daniel Mengden, who has been promoted to (Triple-A) Nashville. Walter pitched well, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits over four innings, with no walks and three strikeouts.
Mengden, who was the Texas League's first Pitcher of the Week in 2016 (April 7-17), was outstanding for the 'Hounds, going 1-0, with a 0.78 earned run average. Acquired from Houston last July in the trade that sent Scott Kazmir to the Astros, the Houston native (and Texas A&M product) is expected to make his Pacific Coast League debut on Monday for the Sounds.
- Reliever Kris Hall was activated from the DL (right hip) and took the roster spot created by Mengden's call-up.
- Franklin Barreto lost his eight-game hit streak, but an eighth-inning walk pushed his on-base streak to nine games (17-for-39, .436).
- Viosergy Rosa (double, walk) extended his on-base streak to 10 games (10-for-34, .294 plus 12 walks, for a .478 OBP).
Images from this story
 Midland RockHounds Pitcher Corey Walter (Alan Jamison) |
Texas League Stories from May 1, 2016
- Darvish Dazzles, But Riders Fall - Frisco RoughRiders
- Cards and Travs Split Sunday Twin Bill - Springfield Cardinals
- Oh Well, There Goes Our Perfect Week - Midland RockHounds
- RoughRiders Welcome Fourth-Largest Crowd in Franchise History Sunday - Frisco RoughRiders
- Drillers Battle But Fall to the Naturals 7-5 - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Win Third Straight as Strahm Picks up First Win - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Riders Game Notes - 4:05 p.m. vs. Corpus Christi Hooks - May 1, 2016 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Riders Take Another - Corpus Christi Hooks
- A Dazzling Debut at Position # 4 - Midland RockHounds
- Barrage of Naturals Homers Too Much for Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Travs Win on Sherman Johnson's 5-5 Night - Arkansas Travelers
- Riders Stage Another Dramatic Comeback against Hooks - Frisco RoughRiders
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