One Win Away From Uncharted Territory
Published on September 10, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
The franchise now known as the RockHounds was born in 1972 as the Midland Cubs, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The original affiliation continued until 1985, when the California Angels became the franchise's parent club. The Midland Angels took the diamond from 1985 through 1998.
Why do we offer this history lesson?
From 1972 through 1998, the franchise reached the Texas League Championship Series twice in 27 seasons, with the Cubs sharing the title in 1975 (rain washed away the deciding games of the series).
Enter the Oakland A's and the beginning of the RockHounds era in 1999. While the RockHounds did not reach the post-season in their first six seasons, they consistently had winning records. In 2001, the RockHounds had the second best record in all of Double-A Baseball (30 teams), only to have the team with the best record (Round Rock) playing not only in the same league but in the same division as the 'Hounds.
In 2005, the RockHounds broke through, sweeping both half-seasons and capturing the first outright Texas League championship in franchise history, under manager Von Hayes. The next season, the club produced the first ever back-to-back playoff appearances in franchise history, falling to eventual league champion Corpus Christi in the division championship.
The RockHounds won a second title, under manager Darren Bush, last season. "Bushy" has now guided the RockHounds to within one win of the first-ever back-to-back trips to the Texas League Championship Series.
The RockHounds defeated the Frisco RoughRiders, 10-7, Friday night at Citibank Ballpark to take a 2-games-to-1 lead in the best-of-5 South Division Championship Series.
With the teams splitting the first two games at Frisco, the third game is pivotal in a best-of-5, and the RoughRiders got on the board quickly. Marcus Lemon led the game off with a solo home run, and Engel Beltre followed with a 2-out, 2-run triple.
By the time the 'Hounds came to bat for the first time, they were down, 3-0. The RockHounds rallied right back in the home half of the 1st, tying the game at 1-1, and took the lead with a 3-run 2nd inning.
After a rough 1st inning, starter Matt Wright battle back, pitching through the 6th inning and allowing only one more run in that time, as the RockHounds pushed the lead to 10-4. Wright struck out eight Frisco batters, and his strong performance after the 3-run 1st was critical.
Fautino De Los Santos struggled in relief of Wright, giving up a 3-run home run to Renny Osuna, cutting the lead to 10-7.
Mickey Storey came in and allowed an infield single on a slow roller, but got an inning-ending double-play moments later, and dodged a rally to pitch a scoreless 8th (both clubs threatened in the 8th, but neither scored).
In the 9th, Neil Wagner came on to close, and continued a sensational late-season run, in which he has closed three games ... now including games 1 and 3 of the playoff series. In his three saves in September, Wagner has faced nine batters, retired them all, striking out five. He struck out the side in the last of the 10th Wednesday night in the series-opening win. Friday night, he struck out Guilder Rodriguez ... got Osuna on a checked-swing roller to first base (perhaps more impressive than the whiffs) ... and struck out Joey Butler on another 95-plus fastball to end the game and bring the RockHounds to one win from a pennant.
Offensively, the win was a complete "team" effort, with the 'Hounds scoring 10 runs and each of the 10 came on a single swing (no multiple-run RBI).
Jermaine Mitchell, again, was a major factor, going 3-for-4 with two walks, scoring three runs and driving in another. Jermaine took the roster spot vacated when Corey Brown was promoted back to Triple-A.
Alex Valdez went 3-for-5 with a double and drove in three runs for the 'Hounds, with Josh Horton adding a pair of ribbies. Matt Sulentic went 2-for-5 with a run scored and catcher Petey Paramore (who has been one of the the team's most consistent hitters down the stretch) went 1-for-3 and scored twice.
Texas League Stories from September 10, 2010
- One Win Away From Uncharted Territory - Midland RockHounds
- Teaford, Naturals even series with Cards - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Springfield Falls to Naturals 5-2 in Game Two - Springfield Cardinals
- Moose Wins MILB HR Award - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Moustakas Wins Joe Bauman Trophy as Top HR Slugger - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Postseason Baseball Kicks off with Half Price Drinks Tonight - Midland RockHounds
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
