RockHounds Harken back to Gerald R. Ford
July 24, 2015 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Midland RockHounds Pitcher Parker Frazier
(Midland RockHounds, Credit: Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds)
... was in the White House (a "relief pitcher," of sorts, after Richard Nixon's early departure) the last time a Cubs, Angels or RockHounds team had more shutouts in a season than the 'Hounds have now recorded in 2015 (and with 43 games remaining).
Parker Frazier and Ryan Doolittle combined on a four-hitter Thursday night in a 7-0 series-opening victory over the San Antonio Missions. The win was one of the finest "complete" efforts of the season, with a 13-hit attack and solid defense backing the excellent effort on the mound.
The shutout was the RockHounds' Texas League-leading 12th of the season, matching the 2009 'Hounds for the most shutouts in the Oakland era and second-most in franchise history. The 1975 Cubs, on the way to their only league championship series appearance, had 15 shutouts.
Frazier (in just his third start with the RockHounds and his fourth on Oakland's farm since being acquired by the A's), went eight innings. He effectively "pitched to contact," allowing just three hits, walking four and striking out one. The 'Hounds defense turned three double plays behind him and, when the Missions hit the ball hard, the "D" was there to make the play. Frazier is 2-0 with a 0.44 ERA with the 'Hounds.
Matt Olson ripped a solo home run into the right field bullpen in the second, and the 'Hounds added three runs in the third to take command of the game. Wade Kirkland led off the with a 1-2 single to right field and Chad Oberacker followed with a single up the middle. Colin Walsh's league-leading 28th double of the season drove in Kirkland and RBI's from Rangel Ravelo (ground out) and Renato Nuñez (sacrifice fly) made the score 4-0. The 'Hounds added single runs in the next three innings, keyed by Jaycob Brugman (3-for-4, two doubles, RBI), Ryon Healy (2-for-4, two runs), Oberacker (3-for-4, and a home run shy of the cycle) and Kirkland (2-for-3, run, RBI).
The RockHounds
... are 17-10 in the second half and 52-45 overall (matching their high-water mark at seven games over .500) ... have won 8-of-12 ... won the opener of the four-game series (and home stand) ... are 16-9 in the season series with San Antonio (9-4 at home and 7-5 at Nelson Wolff Stadium) ... are 30-17 at Security Bank Ballpark and 22-28 on the road ... are 33-28 vs. the South Division and 19-17 vs. the North.
- Texas League South: The RockHounds remain a half-game behind Frisco (17-9) following the RoughRiders' 6-5 home win over Corpus Christi. The first half champion Hooks (13-14) are four-and-a-half games behind the Riders and San Antonio (10-17) trails Frisco by seven-and-a-half.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT OF THE DAY: While the Cubs (1972-84) era is regarded as having had the best pitching (overall) in the franchise's history, the RockHounds might want to "discuss" the subject. Since shutouts are today's "topic," here's a quick breakdown.
The 1975 season was the only one in which the Cubs posted double-digit shutouts (they had more than seven only twice) and the Angels (1985-98) had more than five shutouts only twice (nine in both 1986 and 1987). The 2015 season is the fourth in which the RockHounds have hit double-digits (10 in 2014 ... 11 in 2003 ... and 12 in both 2009 and 2015).
- Colin Walsh (2-for-3, double, run , RBI walk, stolen base) has hit in 11 straight games (18-for-41, .439) and collected his league-leading 28th and 29th doubles of the season (he also leads the league with 41 extra-base hits). Colin is hitting .335 over his last 50 games, pushing his season average to .301 (sixth in the league). He ranks among the TL's best in 10 offensive categories, including a league-leading .431 OBP.
- Ryon Healy (2-for-4, two runs) has hit in six straight games (11-for-27, .407) and has hits in 9-of-his-last-11 games (17-for-43, .395).
- Matt Olson (1-for-4,HR) hit his first home run since June 20 and continued a strong three-week stretch in which he has now reached base in 17 of 19 games, hitting .299 (and a .386 OBP). Matt also (thanks to the wind) narrowly missed a second home run on a drive to deep center.
Images from this story
 Midland RockHounds Pitcher Parker Frazier (Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds) |
Texas League Stories from July 24, 2015
- Missions Shutout by Midland - San Antonio Missions
- Riders Strike out 16, Lose 9-3 to Hooks - Frisco RoughRiders
- 7 Games of Fan Favorites Start Monday - Arkansas Travelers
- RockHounds Harken back to Gerald R. Ford - Midland RockHounds
- Riders Win Slugfest - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Every Travs Starter Reaches Base in 5-3 Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Garcia and Cardinals Walk off with 3-2 Comeback Win - Springfield Cardinals
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