RockHounds Rally for Walk-Off Win
August 1, 2019 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Please note that we will emphasize, repeat and, in fact, capitalize the word, but IF ... IF ... the RockHounds find their way into the Texas League playoffs, circle the date "July 30."
The 'Hounds entered the last of the eighth inning Tuesday night down in the series (2-1) ... trailing Tulsa, 4-0, in the series finale ... and had just one hit through the first seven innings. A four-run rally in the eighth tied the game and Tyler Ramirez drove in the game-winning run in the 10th as the RockHounds defeated the Tulsa Drillers, 5-4, Tuesday evening at Security Bank Ballpark.
Tulsa built a 4-0 advantage, powered in part by home runs from Drew Avans (solo in the fifth) and Cody Thomas (with one on in the eighth).
Mickey McDonald opened the home half of the eighth with a double to right center and Brallan Perez dropped down a georgeous bunt single with one out. Nate Mondou's RBI single got the RockHounds on the board and Edwin Diaz followed with his second triple in as many nights, this one driving in two runs, closing the gap to 4-3. Dan Gamache then brought Diaz home with a single to left, tying the game at 4-4.
Zack Erwin continued a brilliant season (see below), retiring all six batters he faced and striking out the side (Tulsa's 3-4-5 hitters) in the 10th.
Mondou, the "designated runner," went from second to third on a wild pitch that wasn't all that "wild" and the hustle paid off when he scored the game-winning run on Ramirez' walk-off fly ball to right.
The victory gave the RockHounds a split of the series and, more importantly, a momentum boost going into the final month of the season. Beginning Thursday, the teams of the Texas League play 32 games in 33 days to close the regular season.
Notables
Edwin Diaz is hitting .355 (11-31) in his last eight games with four doubles, two triples, and five RBI and has hit in six straight games (8-24, .333 with five RBI).
In his last nine games, Nate Mondou is hitting .441 (15-for-34) with eight runs, two doubles, one home run and six RBI.
After posting an earned run average of 7.00 in the month of April, Zack Erwin has become one of the Texas League's top relievers. Since May 1, the left-hander has a 0.77 ERA in 25 appearances, allowing 40 hits in 35.0 innings, with six walks and 44 strikeouts (a ratio of more than 6-to-1).
Next Game
Thursday, August 1 vs. Corpus Christi Hooks
Whataburger Field Corpus Christi, Texas
First pitch 6:15 p.m.
- First of a four-game series and road trip
- Radio: NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 6:05 p.m.
Probable Starters
CC: Brett Adcock (RH, 1-7, 6.56)
RH: James Naile (RH, 6-4, 5.75)
Texas League Stories from August 1, 2019
- Liberato Lifts Travs to Walk-Off Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Riders Can't Hold Early Lead in 7-4 Loss - Frisco RoughRiders
- Lloyd Fans Season-High Nine in Sod Poodles Series Opener Victory over RoughRiders - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- Curry Pitches Gem as Drillers Edge Naturals - Tulsa Drillers
- Drillers Edge-Out Naturals, 1-0 in Pitchers' Duel - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- RockHounds Rally for Walk-Off Win - Midland RockHounds
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