Taking the Fifth (And We Don't Mean the Amendment)
Published on June 7, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Renato Nunez of the Midland RockHounds
(Midland RockHounds, Credit: Saydee Bailey)
Thomas Lee opened Springfield's six-game home stand with a complete game, 5-1, win over the Frisco RoughRiders, a game in which he went the distance on just 90 pitches. Sunday afternoon, Lee went seven innings, again allowing just one run, for his second win in six days as the Cardinals completed a three-game sweep of the RockHounds at Hammons Field.
The clubs were scoreless through three innings before Aledmys Diaz's two-run, two-out triple gave Springfield a 2-0 advantage in the fourth. A solo home run by Renato Nuñez in the top of the fifth cut the lead to 2-1, but the Cardinals responded in the home half of the inning.
As they had done in the first two games of the series (see "Stat of the Day," below), the Cardinals busted loose in fifth, sending 10 men to the plate, and scoring five times, to chase starter Chris Jensen. Diaz drove in his third run of the game with a bases-loaded walk, and Patrick Wisdom's two-run double was the biggest swing of the five-run rally.
In the three-game series, the Cardinals outscored the RockHounds, 21-3, including a 12-1 combined margin in the (three) fifth innings.
Springfield won both first half series' from the RockHounds in 2015 after taking two-of-three at Security Bank Ballpark last weekend. The Cardinals also won their third straight series overall, and won 5-of-6 in their home stand after coming in with a 7-15 home record.
The RockHounds
... are now 29-27 for the season (after reaching a season-best five games over .500 at 29-24) ... have dropped three straight ... were swept for the first time in 2015 ... finished the (six-game) road trip 3-3 ... are 11-17 on the road and 18-10 at Security Bank Ballpark ... are 17-15 in South Division play ... completed cross-division for the first half with a 12-12 record versus the North Division, including 1-5 against Springfield.
The RockHounds now meet the Corpus Christi Hooks in a four-game series at Security Bank Ballpark, one which could decide the Texas League South Division first half pennant race. The Hooks hold an eight-game lead (pending Sunday evening's home game versus Arkansas) with 14 games remaining in the half (the Hooks have 15, including a make-up game for an earlier rainout versus San Antonio).
The Hooks would clinch the division with a sweep of the series (regardless of Sunday's outcome). If Corpus defeats Arkansas Sunday, the Hooks would need three victories in the four-game set to eliminate the 'Hounds (San Antonio and Frisco are already on the brink of elimination). The four-game set, part of the RockHounds' only home stand in the month of June (9th through the 16th), runs Tuesday through Friday.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT of the DAY: The fifth inning was pivotal in Springfield's three-game sweep. Friday, the Cardinals broke a 2-2 tie, scoring four times. Saturday, after the RockHounds missed a great chance to carve into a 5-0 deficit (two one and no outs), the Redbirds put three more on the board and cruised to an 8-0 victory. Sunday afternoon, the Cardinals broke open a 2-1 game, scoring five times en route to a 7-1 win.
- Of Springfield's seven runs, six came with two outs. The 'Hounds, meanwhile, scored just three runs in the three-game series.
- Renato Nuñez (1-for-3, solo HR) extended his on-base streak to 22 games, the third-longest (and the longest active) on-base streak in the Texas League this season. In the streak, Renato is hitting just .233 (20-86), but has hit in five straight games (6-21) with four runs, one double, three home runs and six RBI. Three of his six home runs for the season came on this road trip, and all six have been hit on the road.
- Seth Frankoff went an inning-and-a-third, extending his scoreless streak to 12-and-a-third innings. After allowing a run in his first outing (April 9), and sandwiched around a three-week stint with (Triple-A) Nashville, Seth has not allowed a run in his last nine appearances.
- After struggling a bit in his first trip to the Double-A level (a 4.63 ERA in April), Kris Hall continued an outstanding stretch of more than a month, pitching two scoreless innings Sunday, his fourth consecutive scoreless appearance (a total of 9.0 innings). In May and June combined, the right-hander has a 1.37 ERA in 10 appearances. Despite ranking among the league leaders in walks (unusual for a reliever), Kris has lowered his season ERA to 2.59. He ranks among the league's top three in walks (30 in 31.1 innings) pending Sunday's results.
- Chad Pinder did not play in the Springfield series due to left hip soreness. He will be re-examined when the club returns home.
Images from this story
 Renato Nunez of the Midland RockHounds (Saydee Bailey) |
Texas League Stories from June 7, 2015
- Jones Walks off Naturals Again - San Antonio Missions
- Missions Complete Sweep After Big Inning - San Antonio Missions
- Taking the Fifth (And We Don't Mean the Amendment) - Midland RockHounds
- Missions Sweep Naturals Courtesy of Huge Eighth Inning, Win Streak Now Season-High Five - San Antonio Missions
- Cardinals Sweep RockHounds with 7-1 Win in Finale - Springfield Cardinals
- Naturals Fall in Series Finale to Missions, 10-5 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Win Second Straight - Tulsa Drillers
- Yadir Drake Spoils Chad Bell's Strong Outing - Frisco RoughRiders
- Aloha - Midland RockHounds
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