Struggles Continue At Home For Hounds
August 1, 2013 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Returning home from an outstanding road trip, during which they won 5-of-7 games, the RockHounds couldn't keep that momentum going at Citibank Ballpark. Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Frisco RoughRiders saw the 'Hounds finish their eight-game home stand with a 1-7 record.
Pitching certainly dominated Wednesday's game, with the 'Hounds' Drew Granier (despite taking the loss) turning in a "quality start" and returning to the form he showed in his first few starts following a promotion from (Advanced-A) Stockton. Granier went six-and-a-third innings, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out nine.
Frisco scored in the first, but Granier held the RoughRiders scoreless over the next five innings. Darwin Perez led off the RockHounds' fifth inning with a bunt single and went to second on Conner Crumbliss' sacrifice bunt, then scored the tying run on a single by D'Arby Myers (see "Kibbles & Bits," below).
While Granier walked only three batters, Frisco took advantage of the last of them, scoring a run in largely the same fashion in which the 'Hounds tied the game. A walk (to Odubel Herrera) and a perfect sacrifice bunt would be followed by what would be the game-winning hit, an RBI single from Hanser Alberto in the seventh.
Frisco's Lisalverto Bonilla earned the save, getting the final five outs (four by strikeout) and lowering his ERA to 0.57.
Kibbles & Bits
- D'Arby Myers (2-for-4, RBI, stolen base) extended his hit streak to 12 games. In the streak, D'Arby is now 20-for-46 (.434).
- Reliever Ryan Dull made his Double-A debut and recorded a 1-2-3 inning in the ninth. Drafted by Oakland in the 32nd round last June (out of the University of North Carolina at Asheville), he has rocketed up the organizational ladder. In his second pro season (and his first full year), the (5-10, 175-pound) right-hander has pitched for (Single-A) Beloit and (Advanced-A) Stockton, putting together a combined 1.86 ERA in 35 games. He recorded 18 saves in 18 chances (combined) for Beloit and Stockton, with 66 strikeouts and just six walks.
- Texas Rangers' left-hander Matt Harrison made rehabilitation start, pitching into the second inning. He allowed no runs on two hits and one walk, striking out two in an inning-and-a-third. He is scheduled to make a second re-hab start for Frisco Sunday.
- Both clubs left eight men on base, but the 'Hounds also failed to take advantage of seven walks issued by Frisco pitchers.
Rocky Town
- The RockHounds are on the road for the next 11 days (10 games), traveling to Corpus Christi, Tulsa (OK) and Springfield (MO). The swing begins Thursday night at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi. The 'Hounds return home Tuesday, August 13.
WP: Phil Klein (4-0, 3.10)
LP: Drew Granier (2-5, 4.21)
SV: Lisalverto Bonilla (2, 0.57)
Next Game
vs. Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston Astros' AA Affiliate)
Thursday, August 1 - 7:05 p.m. (Radio at 7:00 p.m.)
Whataburger Field - Corpus Christi, TX
Probable Starters
Corpus Christi: (RH) - Nick Tropeano (5-7, 4.24)
RockHounds: (RH) Murphy Smith (8-7, 3.49)
• Discuss this story on the Texas League message board...
Texas League Stories from August 1, 2013
- Lindsey Grand Slam Highlights Travs Fourth Straight Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Frisco Tops Missions with Big Innings - Frisco RoughRiders
- Canham, Cuthbert Lead Naturals to Victory - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- RoughRiders Receive Five From Myrtle Beach - Frisco RoughRiders
- Bettis Promoted to the Rockies - Tulsa Drillers
- Struggles Continue At Home For Hounds - Midland RockHounds
- Homestand Highlights: August 1 - August 4 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Martinez Stops Slide - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Missions Denied Sweep in 4-3 Loss to Hooks - San Antonio Missions
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
