Prodigal 'Hound Helps Wind Surge Win, 6-5
August 4, 2021 - Texas League (TL)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Just seconds into their first game at Riverfront Stadium in Wichita, Kansas, the RockHounds had a scoring chance. The opportunity went by the boards and a "prodigal son" then put Wichita on top in the home half of the first. The Wind Surge went on to hold off the 'Hounds, 6-5, to win the opener of a six-game series.
Devin Foyle ripped the first pitch of the game to right field for a leadoff triple, but Wichita starter Cole Sands got Jhonny Santos (who had driven in six runs in his last three games) to pop out. Sands then struck out Logan Davidson and Jonah Bride to end the threat.
In the last of the first, former RockHound (2017) BJ Boyd sent a drive just over the wall in left field for a 1-0 Wichita lead.
A two-out double in the third off the bat of Spender Steer was followed by two wild pitches from RockHounds starter Matt Milburn, the second of them allowing Steer to score for a 2-0 advantage.
An RBI double from Edwin Diaz and a sacrifice fly from Jake Suddleson brought the 'Hounds even at 2-2 in the fourth but the Wind Surge came right back in the home half of the inning with a two-run home run from Aaron Whitefield and Boyd's second ribbie of the game, this one on a double, to take a 5-2 lead.
The RockHounds would twice more draw to within one run. Kyle McCann's two-run homer in the sixth made the score 5-4, but Wichita again answered immediately, this time on Whitefield's sac fly in the last of the sixth, pushing the lead back to 6-4.
Suddleson (see "Kibbles & Bits," below) drove in Bride with an RBI single in the seventh, but the 'Hounds couldn't get the equalizer.
Kibbles & Bits
This is Wind Surge's first season (they were scheduled to open in 2020 before the season was lost due to the pandemic) and they have been a nemesis for the RockHounds. In addition to Tuesday's opener at Riverfront Stadium, Wichita took 5-of-6 at Momentum Bank Ballpark (June 22-27).
Jake Suddleson went 2-for-3 with two RBI Tuesday. Signed by Oakland as a non-drafted free agent a year ago (out of Harvard University), Jake has now hit in seven consecutive games (11-24, .458) and is hitting .362 in his last 17 games.
Pitcher Kyle Friedrichs has been promoted to (Triple-A) Las Vegas. Kyle has pitched for the RockHounds in part of five seasons (including the 2017 Texas League championship club) and we wish him all the best and great success with the Aviators!
Next Game
Wednesday, August 4 vs. Wichita Wind Surge
Riverfront Stadium Wichita, Kansas
First pitch 7:05 p.m.
Second of a six-game series and eighth of a 12-game road trip
Probable Starters
WIC Bryan Sammons (LH, 2-4, 7.08)
RH Ty Damron (LH, 2-2, 5.13)
Road Trip
August 4-8 vs. the Wichita Wind Surge at Riverfront Stadium (Wichita, KS)
Back at Rocky Town: Tuesday, August 10
A 12-game homestand, hosting the San Antonio Missions (August 10-15) and Amarillo Sod Poodles (August 17-22)
Texas League Stories from August 4, 2021
- Wind Surge Walk-Off RockHounds for Third Straight Win - Wichita Wind Surge
- Riders Drop Game Two in Pitching Duel - Frisco RoughRiders
- Drillers Soar Past Cardinals - Tulsa Drillers
- Thomas Triples Late, Rogers Slams Door as Soddies Ride off with 3-2 Win - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- Missions Steal Win, Spoil Lawson's Yeoman EffortÃâà- Corpus Christi Hooks
- Fernandez Steals Home in the 8th to Defeat the HooksÃâà- San Antonio Missions
- Oops...The Frisco RoughRiders Did It Again - Frisco RoughRiders
- Drillers to Host Wichita in Resumption of Propeller Series - Tulsa Drillers
- MJ Melendez Honored as the Double-A Central Player of the Month for July - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- San Antonio's Adrian Martinez Named Double-A Central Pitcher of the MonthÃâà- San Antonio Missions
- Upcoming COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics at Riverfront Stadium - Wichita Wind Surge
- Travs Score Early and Take Game One over Naturals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Hooks Stop Late Rally to Secure Opener - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Prodigal 'Hound Helps Wind Surge Win, 6-5 - Midland RockHounds
- Frick, Larsen Homer and Requena Pitches Travs Past Naturals - Arkansas Travelers
- Missions Rally Falls Short in the 9th, Lose to Corpus 6-3Ãâà- San Antonio Missions
- Mikolas Shines in Rehab Start, Baker Homers Twice in 11-4 Cardinals Win over Drillers - Springfield Cardinals
- Homers Lead Way in Back and Forth Affair - Frisco RoughRiders
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