RockHounds Open Season with Shutout Win
Published on April 5, 2019 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
The 2019 RockHounds roster includes a pitching staff with a great deal of talent and experience at Double-A. That same roster includes 12 position players, NONE with a full season of experience at this level.
In Thursday night's season opener, the RockHounds backed brilliant effort from three veteran pitchers with "just enough" offense to defeat the Frisco RoughRiders, 3-0, at Dr Pepper Ballpark in the Metroplex.
James Naile, John Gorman, and Kyle Finnegan combined on a five-hit shutout to blank the Riders, allowing just nine base-runners. Naile went the first six innings for the win, with Gorman pitching the seventh and eighth for the hold and Finnegan slamming the door for the save. The trio was also backed by an errorless defensive effort that included two double-plays and a caught stealing.
Kevin Merrell went 2-for-5 and scored the game's first two runs. His perfect drag bunt in the third was followed by a stolen base (compounded by an error) and he scored on Brallan Perez' ground out. Merrell then led off the seventh with an opposite field double to the left field corner and scored on Luis Barrera's single. The 'Hounds added an insurance run in the ninth to close the scoring.
Luis Barrera and Greg Deichmann each had three hits for the 'Hounds, while Merrell and Mikey White added two each (see below).
Notables
Four batters collected 10 of the RockHounds' 11 hits:
- Luis Barrera went 3-for-4, with an RBI and a walk
- Greg Deichmann went 3-for-4, with two doubles
- Kevin Merrell went 2-for-5, with a double, two runs, and a stolen base
- Mikey White went 2-for-5
The RockHounds went 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position, producing "just enough" offense.
The RoughRiders had only three at-bats all night with runners in scoring position
Next Game
Friday, April 5 vs. Frisco RoughRiders
Dr Pepper Ballpark Frisco, Texas
Frist pitch 7:05 p.m.
- Second of a four-game series and of a seven-game road trip
- Radio: NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 6:47 p.m.
Probable Starters
FRI: Jonathan Hernandez (RH, first start)
RH: Brian Howard (RH, first start)
Home Opener at Security Bank Ballpark:
Thursday, April 11 vs. Frisco RoughRiders
First pitch at 7:00 p.m. Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
"Thirsty" Thursday & Magnet Schedules (first 1,000 fans)
Texas League Stories from April 5, 2019
- Drillers Drop Second Straight to Arkansas - Tulsa Drillers
- Beck's Big Blast Carries Riders to First Win - Frisco RoughRiders
- Sod Poodles Opening Homestand Brings More Than Just Affiliated Baseball Back to Amarillo - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- RockHounds Open Season with Shutout Win - Midland RockHounds
- Travs Rally for Opening Night Win in Extras - Arkansas Travelers
- Naturals Take Season Opener from Cardinals, 5-1 - Springfield Cardinals
- Drillers Celebrate Championship, But Drop Opener - Tulsa Drillers
- Burke's Brilliant Outing Not Enough in 3-0 Loss - Frisco RoughRiders
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