Round One
April 28, 2015 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Midland RockHounds Celebrate in Dugout
(Midland RockHounds, Credit: Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds)
In 2013, the Corpus Christi Hooks dominated the RockHounds, winning 23-of-32 meetings. A year ago, on their way to the Texas League championship, the 'Hounds returned the favor, taking 21-of-32 from the Hooks. If game one of the 32-game season series, 2015 edition, is any indication, the "M.O." has changed - - and seat belts may be required.
Carson Blair launched a game-tying home run on a 3-2 pitch leading off the ninth inning, and Matt Olson's sacrifice fly scored Chad Oberacker with the game-winner minutes later. The game, which marked the 'Hounds' second consecutive walk-off victory, saw three lead changes, with the teams combining for 17 runs on 27 hits. Ironically, the game featured both four errors (two by each club) and at least a half-dozen defensive efforts ranging from good to spectacular (led by a pair of leaping, against-the-wall catches by Hooks center fielder Tony Kemp).
Corpus Christi built a 5-1 lead after the top of the fourth, with Carlos Correa (the Houston Astros' # 1 prospect) and Tyler White each driving in a pair of runs. The game was played in winds routinely gusting to 30+ miles-per-hour, and Mother Nature was a factor. The 'Hounds hit four home runs, the first three to the short porch in right field, with the wind "helping" to varying degrees. Chad Pinder (second inning) and Olson (fourth) hit solo homers to right and Jaycob Brugman's first of the year, a three-run line drive in the fifth, tied the game at 5-5 after five innings.
The 'Hounds used four consecutive two-out singles to score twice in the sixth for a 7-5 advantage, but the Hooks rallied back with a run in the seventh and two in the eighth to regain the lead. After Blair's blast (through the wind) over the high wall in left leading off the ninth, Matt Angle walked and Oberacker followed with an 0-2 single to right-center, setting the stage for Olson's walk-off.
Kibbles & Bits
- Chad Oberacker and Matt Angle led the RockHounds with three hits each. "Obie" pushed his batting average back over .400 (.404), while Matt broke out of a slump (big time), reaching base in all four trips to the plate. The former Baltimore Oriole (he played 31 games in the big leagues with the Birds in 2011) entered the game 2-for-35 since being reassigned from (Triple-A) Nashville, but busted loose with three consecutive singles, a run, an RBI and a ninth-inning walk that would eventually lead to the game-winning run.
- While Jaycob Brugman had only one hit, it was a critical one; a game-tying three-run home run (his first with the 'Hounds). A scoring change took one hit away from his weekend totals, but Jaycob is now 14-for-32 (.438) in his last eight games.
- The loss was just the second in 11 road games for the Hooks, and the nine runs scored by the RockHounds were four more than Corpus had allowed in any game this season. The Hooks had allowed just 37 runs in their first 16 contests (2.3 runs per game). Corpus Christi (12-5) leads the RockHounds (9-8) by three games in the Texas League South Division.
- The RockHounds, meanwhile, won for the sixth time in the last seven games ... their second straight in walk-off fashion (the 'Hounds defeated the San Antonio Missions, 3-2, in 12 innings on Chad Pinder's game-winning single Sunday afternoon).
- Tuesday's game is "Safety Awareness Day," with a special start time (11 o'clock), as the 'Hounds hosting school kids from across the area. The clubs then play Wednesday evening at 6:30 and conclude the series (and the RockHounds' home stand) "Thirsty Thursday" at seven.
Probable Pitchers for Corpus Christi Series
Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. - Corpus Christi RHP Kyle Westwood (1-0, 1.38) vs RockHounds RHP Joey Wagman (First Appearance)
Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. - Corpus Christi RHP Mark Appel (2-0, 1.93) vs RockHounds RHP Jake Sanchez (1-2, 5.51)
Thursday at 7:00 p.m. - Corpus Christi LHP Josh Hader (0-1, 5.40) / RHP Chris Devenski (2-0, 0.00) vs RockHounds TBA
Images from this story
 Midland RockHounds Celebrate in Dugout (Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds) |
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