Sports stats



TL1 Texas League

Texas League update

June 5, 2006 - Texas League (TL1) News Release


Arkansas Travelers (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)

Overall: 19-37, Last Week: 2-5

Last Place, Texas League North

Game of the Week: June 4th vs. Midland RockHounds. Ray Winder Field, Little Rock, Arkansas.

The Travs needed some late heroics to pull off an 8-7 win over Midland, their second victory in a row.

Through the first four innings, Arkansas led 3-2. The two teams battled back and forth, neither team scoring more than one run at a time. Eric Rodland doubled in the first and third innings, and both times Brandon Wood followed him with an RBI single. The third Arkansas run was scored on a Devin Day sacrifice fly.

After Midland scored a run in the top of the fifth inning to knot the game at 3-3, the Travs bats caught fire. Rodland led off the inning with his third consecutive hit, a single to right field. Wood matched Rodland with his third in a row, a double to put runners at the corners. Matt Brown then drove both of them in with a double to left field. With two outs in the frame, Jason Aspito hit a two-run home run to cap the inning, bringing the advantage to 7-3.

That big lead didn't last long though, as Midland cracked a two-run homer of their own in top of the sixth, cutting the lead down to two.

Arkansas starter Daniel Davidson was relieved by Kyle Edens in the seventh inning after having given up five runs on 10 hits and a walk.

The score remained at 7-5 entering the top of the ninth. Midland led off with a solo home run to cut the lead to one. With two outs, Brant Colamarino tied the game for Midland with the second home run of the inning. The round-tripper gave Colamarino a cycle. Edens would get the next hitter to fly out, sending the game to the bottom of the ninth tied 7-7.

Aaron Peel would send the fans home happy with one out in the inning, by sending a pitch over the left field wall. The homer was Peel's fourth of the season, and certainly his most memorable.

In addition to Wood and Rodland each having three hits, Jason Aspito and Greg Porter each had two of their own.

Greg Edens picked up the win after tossing the final three innings.

Top Performances of the week:

Jason Aspito went a perfect 4-for-4 against Frisco in a losing effort on May 31. The slugger clubbed a double and two solo home runs, while driving in two runs and scoring three. The two home runs were his eighth and the ninth on the season.

Nick Green made his first double-A start with the Travs on June 3rd after being promoted from Rancho Cucamonga. He helped snap his team's seven game losing streak by tossing seven solid innings, giving up just three runs on six hits and three walks.

Transactions:

5/31/06 LHP Tim Bittner released.

5/31/06 RHP Kyle Edens assigned to Arkansas after trade from Reds for RHP Esteban Yan.

6/02/06 RHP Nick Green from Rancho Cucamonga to Arkansas.

6/02/06 RHP James Holcomb to the disabled list.

Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston Astros)

Overall: 31-25, Last Week: 2-5

First Place, Texas League South

Game of the Week: June 1st at Wichita Wranglers. Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, Wichita, KS.

The Hooks' powerful offense was on full display against Wichita on this night.

The scoring started early, when a Ben Zobrist double was followed by a Hunter Pence home run to give Corpus an early lead.

Back-to-back doubles by J.R. House and Jorge Cortes in the third inning scored another run.

After scoring a single run in the sixth inning, the Hook's erupted in the seventh inning. The first six hitters of the inning reached base. Josh Anderson led things off with a single. Ben Zobrist followed with a walk. Hunter Pence then singled to center field, scoring Anderson. Jorge Cortes, J.R. House and Josh Bonifay each followed with a hit before Johnny Ash lined out. After two more runners reached base, Josh Anderson singled with the bases loaded to drive in two runs. After the dust had cleared, Corpus had put up seven runs on eight hits and two walks. They also had a commanding 11-0 lead.

Wichita managed to score three runs in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn't nearly enough to overcome the Hook's huge advantage.

Corpus starter Chance Douglass lasted 6 1/3 innings and gave up just a couple of runs on five hits. He also picked up the win, which increased his record to 4-1.

Seven different Corpus Christi hitters had at last two hits, while Josh Anderson and Jorge Cortes had three. The victory helped the Hooks maintain their 1 ½ game division lead against the charging Midland RockHounds.

Top Performances of the week:

Juan Gutierrez tossed seven scoreless innings against Wichita on the 29th, leading his team to a 5-0 shutout. The right-hander allowed just four hits and a walk in the start, while striking out five. He raised his record to 5-2.

J.R. House went 2-for-5 with three of his team's five RBI on the 29th Wichita. The game was House's 500th as a minor leaguer.

Hunter Pence's home run on June 1st gave him 16 for the season and made the game his third in a row with a home run. The slugger hit two the day before, one in each game of a doubleheader.

Jorge Cortes smacked three doubles against Wichita on June 1st. Over his last nine games he has hit .448 with five RBI.

Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers)

Overall: 30-26, Last Week: 6-1

Third Place, Texas League South

Game of the Week: May 30th at Arkansas. Ray Winder Field, Little Rock, Arkansas.

The RoughRiders battered the Arkansas pitching staff for 14 runs in just seven innings during the second game of a double header. The 14 runs were the most Frisco has put up this year.

The 'Riders struck early and often, tallying four runs in the first inning and two in the second. Adam Morrissey started off the scoring in the first, singling to left field to score Kevin Mahar. Two hitters later Nate Gold homered to left-center field, making the score 4-0.

After Arkansas responded with two runs in the bottom half of the first, Frisco matched it the very next frame on a Keven Mahar two-run home run.

The score would remain 6-2 until the fifth inning, when Frisco would plate four more runs, highlighted by a Mick Nickeas RBI double. Runs were also scored on a Jim Fasano double, a Nate Gold single, and a wild pitch on which Jake Blalock crossed home to cap the scoring and give Frisco a 10-2 advantage.

Just one inning later Frisco yet again, put a four-spot on the board. Casey Benjamin led the inning off with a solo home run, his first of the season after a combined 131 at-bats between Frisco and single-A Bakersfield. The RoughRiders continued to hit and would go on to score three more runs in the inning on a pair of bases-loaded walks and a sacrifice fly, putting the score at 14-2.

Frisco's starter Ryan Jensen gave up an unearned run in the next half inning to make the score 14-3, the eventual final. It was Jensen's first start for Frisco after being signed from the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League. The ex-big leaguer, who won 13 games with San Francisco in 2002, went six innings, allowed just three runs (1 earned) on four hits and no walks. He also struck out five.

The victory made three out of Frisco's last four games, and put their record at 26-25.

Top Performances of the week:

Anthony Webster went 3-for-5, just a triple short of hitting for the cycle, in Frisco's 11-6 win over Arkansas on May 31st. The outfielder drove in three runs and scored two.

Casey Benjamin had a very impressive day at the plate on June 1st against Arkansas. The second baseman went 5-for-6 with a double, a home run and four runs driven in. The home run was just his second of the season. The big day at the plate raised his average to .354.

John Danks gave up just one run against Springfield on June 2 in a 5-1 win. The left-hander surrendered just three hits and no walks while striking out five.

Transactions:

05/30/06 RHP Ryan Jensen signed and assigned to Frisco.

05/30/06 RHP Michael Bumstead from Oklahoma City to Frisco.

05/30/06 RHP Nick Masset from Frisco to Oklahoma City.

05/30/06 C Mick Nickeas from Bakersfield to Frisco.

05/30/06 C Dustin Smith retired.

05/30/06 RHP Armando Galarraga to disabled list.

05/30/06 RHP Jeremy Ward from Oklahoma City to Frisco.

06/02/06 RHP Frankie Francisco to Frisco on rehabilitation assignment.

Midland RockHounds (Oakland Athletics)

Overall: 31-26, Last Week: 4-3

Second Place, Texas League South

Game of the Week: May 29th vs. Springfield. Citibank Ballpark, Midland, Texas.

Midland scored early and often against the Cardinals, then had to fend off a comeback attempt before downing Springfield 12-6.

The 'Hounds scored four runs in the first inning. After Kurt Suzuki doubled, he was driven in by a Vasili Spanos single two batters later. Later in the inning, with bases loaded, Brant Colamarino ripped a double to left field to drive in two runs. The scoring ended after Lloyd Turner beat out a groundball to second base, scoring Matt Allegra.

Two more runs were scored the next inning on a Jed Morris solo home run and a Vasili Spanos RBI single.

After the 'Hounds scored a single run in the fifth and sixth innings to put the score at 8-0, Springfield mounted a comeback in the seventh inning against Midland starter David Bradley. Bradley had not allowed a run through this inning, surrendering just four hits. Springfield led off the inning with four singles by the first five hitters. Springfield outfielder Reid Gorecki slugged a two-run home run to cap the scoring in the inning, bringing the score to 8-5.

Springfield cut the lead down to two in the eighth inning when Cody Haerther homered to right field off of Jeff Muessig, who had recorded the last out in the previous inning.

Midland would respond furiously in the bottom of the inning. The scoring began when Jed Morris belted his second home run of the evening, another solo shot. After a Travis Buck single, a Brian Snyder walk was followed by a double steal. Then Matt Allegra doubled the two runners home to break the game open. Brant Colamarino doubled home Allegra on the next at-bat to make the score 12-6, where it would remain.

Colamarino ended the game with three RBI, while Jed Morris, Vasili Spanos, Matt Allegra and Lloyd Turner all drove in two runs.

David Bradley, who tossed the first 6 2/3 innings, picked up the win, increasing his record to 3-4.

Top Performances of the week:

Brian Snyder went 3-for-4 and homered twice against Springfield on June 1st. The two home runs doubled his prior season total. His performance led Midland to a 4-1 win.

Ray Aguilar pitched seven scoreless innings against Springfield on June 1st. He allowed just four runners to reach base and struck out two. He picked up the victory in the 4-1 win for Midland, increasing his record to 4-3.

Kevin Melillo hit a grand slam on June 2nd against Arkansas in a 9-1 win. The second baseman also singled, walked and scored two runs in the game.

Jed Morris homered three times this week and drove in seven runs.

Transactions:

06/01/06 OF Danny Putnam to 7-day disabled list (knee).

06/02/06 OF Brian Stavisky from Sacramento to Midland.

San Antonio Missions (Seattle Mariners)

Overall: 20-34, Last Week: 2-5

Last Place, Texas League South

Game of the Week: May 31st vs. Tulsa Drillers. Nelson Wolff Memorial Stadium, San Antonio, TX

The Missions downed the Tulsa Drillers 2-1 thanks to solid pitching... and just one hit, a double by Oswaldo Navarro in the third inning. With the score 0-0, Navarro's double put runners at second and third with no outs, after the leadoff hitter Luis Oliveros reached first base on an error. The next batter, Jack Arroyo, reached on a fielder's choice, when Oliveros was thrown out at the plate for the first out of the inning. The next batter, Sebastian Boucher, hit a ball that should have been an inning-ending double play, but because Arroyo was running on the play, he was safe at second and Navarro crossed home to make the score 1-0.

The Drillers answered in the next half inning with a solo home run by Joe Koshansky off of San Antonio starter Travis Blackley, knotting the score at 1-1.

With the score still tied, Jack Arroyo led off the sixth inning with a towering fly ball to deep left field which deflected off the glove of the Tulsa leftfielder and resulted in a three-base error. The next batter, Sebastian Boucher, hit a sacrifice fly to left field, which scored Arroyo and gave the Missions a 2-1 advantage.

Mike Flannery would relieve Blackley at the start of the seventh inning, tossing the final three innings of the game. Flannery allowed just two hits and a walk, while striking out two hitters to pick up his first save of the season.

The fourth inning home run would be the only blemish for Blackley, who in six innings surrendered one run on six hits and no walks. The victory moves his record to 5-3, while his ERA was lowered to 3.90.

Amazingly, this was the second time in the current homestand that the Missions had won with just one hit. On May 25th against Wichita, the Missions won 1-0 with just a double from Luis Oliveros.

Top Performances of the week:

In his first start of the season, Adam Pettyjohn tossed six scoreless innings on the 30th against Tulsa, allowing just three hits and walk while striking out six. The win was just his first of the season, and the strong performance lowered the left-hander's ERA to a paltry 1.72.

Transactions:

5/29/06 OF Gary Harris Placed on the disabled list.

5/31/06 INF Jason Bourgeois reinstated from the disabled list.

06/04/06 RHP Yorman Bazardo off disabled list.

Springfield Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals)

Overall: 32-23, Last Week: 2-5

Second Place, Texas League North

Game of the Week: June 3rd at Frisco RoughRiders. Dr. Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark, Frisco, TX.

Instead of celebrating his 25th birthday by receiving gifts from teammates, Rich Rundles gave one to them - a nine-inning complete game in an 8-1 Springfield win.

The offense gave Rundles some breathing room before he could even enter the game. In the top of the first inning Springfield scored on a Rico Washington RBI single that followed a Reid Gorecki double.

Iker Franco continued the scoring in the second inning by driving in Brian Martin from second base with a single. Two hitters later Franco was able to score when Rayner Laya's single to right-field was misplayed, making the score 3-0.

In the third inning Springfield walked their way to three runs. With one out, Rico Washington and Juan Richardson drew consecutive walks and advanced to second and third on a passed ball. Josh Pressley followed with an RBI single, and Brian Martin with an RBI fielder's choice. The third run in the inning when Martin came home on a Mike McCoy single, giving the Cards a 6-0 advantage.

It seemed that every time Frisco got a runner on base, Rundles found a way to eliminate him. After the leadoff hitter reached in the third, fifth and sixth innings, Rundles induced the next hitter to ground into a double play. In the fourth inning, catcher Iker Franco threw out leadoff hitter Adam Morrissey out while attempting to steal second.

After Springfield scored two more runs in the top of the seventh to make the score 8-0, Rundles finally gave up a run, but even in doing that he was efficient. After a double and a single put runners at the corners with no outs, Rundles got his fourth double play of the night.

Frisco went quietly in the eighth and ninth innings as Rundles completed his complete game win.

Reid Gorecki went 3-for-5 with two doubles and a run scored to lead the offense, while three other Cardinal hitters had two hits each.

Top Performances of the week:

On May 30th against Midland, Rico Washington went deep twice in the game. His pair of homers produced four runs driven in. The four RBI gave him a League best total of 47. His three-run jack in the seventh inning proved to be the deciding factor in Springfield's 7-5 win.

Brian Martin is 12-for-25 in his last six games through June 4, while hitting two home runs and driving in seven.

Tulsa Drillers (Colorado Rockies)

Overall: 35-22, Last Week: 5-2

First Place, Texas League North

Game of the Week: June 1st at San Antonio Missions. Nelson Wolff Stadium, San Antonio, TX.

A strong pitching performance by Juan Morillo and a fine offensive day by Chris Iannetta powered Tulsa to a 3-1 win over San Antonio.

Starters for both teams, Morillo for Tulsa and Nate Mateo for San Antonio, each faced the minimum hitters through the first three innings.

Troy Tulowitzki led off the fourth inning with a double to rightfield, but was thrown out at third trying to stretch his hit into a triple. The gaffe proved costly as the following hitter, Seth Smith, singled to center, which would have driven in Tulowitzki. Tulsa would end the inning empty-handed.

San Antonio would finally break through against Morillo in their half of the fourth. With a runner on second base after a single and a sacrifice bunt, Morillo threw the ball into centerfield on a pick-off attempt, which allowed the runner to advance to third base. The next hitter singled up the middle to make the score 1-0.

It wouldn't take long to respond, though. The Tulsa first batter in the following inning, Chris Iannetta, cranked a pitch over the rightfield wall to knot the game at 1-1.

Morillo would pitch two more scoreless innings before leaving the game after six innings. The flame-thrower, who touched 100 MPH late in the game, gave up just one run on five hits while allowing no walks and striking out four.

Tulsa took control of the game in the seventh inning, when Iannetta followed a Joe Koshansky walk with his second home run of the game. The bomb to centerfield increased the Drillers' lead to 3-1. It was the catcher's second two-home run game of the season. He also went deep twice versus Midland in a game at Tulsa on May 15.

The Drillers' bullpen would shut down the San Antonio offense the rest of the way. Jason Burch, Josh Newman and Manuel Corpas each tossed a scoreless inning, with Corpas recording his 15th save of the year.

Ian Stewart, who had been out since May 20th with a wrist injury, was back at third base in the game, but went 0-4.

The 3-1 win gave Tulsa a split in the four game series and put them back into a tie with Springfield at the top of the Texas League North division.

Top Performances of the week:

Ubaldo Jiminez was brilliant against San Antonio on the 29th. In a 1-0 win, the hurler allowed just two his and one walk over six innings. He struck out eight hitters in the victory, which increased his record to 5-2 and lowered his ERA to 3.61.

Ian Stewart went 4-for-6 with a home run and four RBI against Corpus Christi on June 4th. Entering the game, the third baseman had just one hit in his previous four games since returning from an injury.

The Drillers' bullpen hasn't give up a run since May 24th. Over that span they have pitched 32 2/3 innings, allowed just 20 hits and seven walks while striking out 28 hitters.

Wichita Wranglers (Kansas City Royals)

Overall: 26-31, Last Week: 5-2

Third Place, Texas League North

Game of the Week: May 31st vs. Corpus Christi Hooks. Lawrence Dumont Stadium, Wichita, KS.

After topping Corpus Christi 7-5 in game one of a doubleheader, Wichita looked to the sweep in game two.

With Brian Bass on the mound to start for Wichita, the Hooks took an early lead. Bass gave up a couple hits in the first inning, leading to a run and a 1-0 lead for the Hooks.

The Wranglers answered back in their half of the inning. Angel Sanchez singled to leadoff, then stole second base. Two batters later, Alex Gordon singled him home to even the contest.

After two innings the game was halted for 55 minutes due to a rain delay. Following the break, Bass was replaced with Chad Markray.

Matt Tupman led off the second inning with a walk. Two batters later Kila Kaaihue doubled to right field, putting two runners in scoring position. Angel Sanchez followed with a single to center, scoring Tupman and taking a 2-1 lead. They failed to score again in the inning after Sanchez was caught stealing and Alex Gordon struck out.

The game was again quickly tied when the Hooks' Hunter Pence hit a solo home run in the top of the third to tie the game at 2-2.

Markray would hold the Hooks to just that one run over four innings, allowing just two hits and a walk, while fanning two.

Wichita would finally break the tie in the sixth inning. After Adam Keim doubled and was sacrificed to third, Chris Lubanski singled him home to put his club on top.

Nate Hoelscher slammed the door on Corpus, tossing a perfect ninth inning to record his second save of the year. Markray ended up with the win, which increases his record to 2-0.

Top Performances of the week:

Dee Brown's first game back with Wichita was a good one. After spending more than two weeks in triple-A Omaha, Brown helped Wichita defeat San Antonio 5-4 thanks to a 2-for-4 night. He doubled and single in the game while driving in two runs.

In his first double-A start since being sent down from Omaha, Neal Musser tossed six shutout innings in a 1-0 win over San Antonio on June 4th. The hurler allowed just four hits and a walk while striking out three.

Transactions:

06/01/06 RHP Brian Bass removed from roster.

06/01/06 RHP Zack Greinke to Wichita on rehabilitation assignment.

06/02/06 P Devon Lowery assigned to Wichita from extended spring training.

06/02/06 OF Dee Brown from Omaha to Wichita.

06/02/06 INF Adam Keim to disabled list.

06/03/06 P Neal Musser from Omaha to Wichita.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Rico Washington, Springfield Cardinals

.423, 26 AB, 7 RBI, 6 2B, 2 HR, .885 SLG

For the second time this season, Rico Washington has been named the Texas League Player of the Week. The Springfield outfielder has played well all season, particularly this week when he went 11-for-26 with eight extra-base hits and seven runs driven in. during his hot week Washington had three notable games. On May 30th the slugger went 2-for-4 with a couple of home runs and four runs driven in, while on both May 31st and June 1st he clubbed two doubles.

The Georgia native was originally drafted by the Pirates in 1997m and has spent his entire career in the minors. Las season in Montgomery of the double-A Southern League, he set a career high in RBI at 77 and home runs at 19.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Ubaldo Jimenez, Tulsa Drillers

2-0, 0.75 ERA, 12 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 13 K

Like Rico Washington, this week Ubaldo Jiminez wins his second Texas League Pitcher of the Week award. The hurler had two very solid outings , which helped his club climb to the top of the North Division. Against San Antonio on May 29th, Jiminez allowed no runs and just two hits, while strikout out eight as he picked up the win. He also recorded a victory on June 3rd by tossing six innings against Corpus Christi, allowing just a single run on three hits with five strikeouts.

The hard throwing Dominican is rated by Baseball America as the Rockies'fifth best prospect. After missing much of 2004 with a stress fracture, Jiminez rebounded last year, pitcher well and was promoted to Tulsa in the middle of the season. Baseball America also boldly predicts that he may end up in Colorado before the end of the season.

Topps/Texas League

Player of the Month

Rico Washington, Springfield Cardinals

98 AB, .316 BA, 7 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 20 BB, .612 SLG, .437 OBP

Rico Washington had a monster month of May. The outfielder not only showed excellent power, but he also proved that he was adept at reaching base. In 26 games he had 15 extra-base hits, including six home runs and two triples. He also drew 20 walks, which led a .437 on-base percentage. His 24 runs batted in was one of the best for all Texas League players in May.

Washington has been a huge part of his team's success in the first half. Springfield is currently battling against a red-hot Tulsa for the top spot in the Texas League North division. The race looks as if it will come down to the wire, and Washington is sure to have a big effect on the outcome.

Texas League Alumni Report

(Statistics through games of May 28, 2006)

Arkansas Travelers (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)

Howie Kendrick ('05) has hit .439 with four homers, 16 RBI and 12 runs scored in his last 10 games with Salt Lake. *** Reggie Willits ('05) has batter .394 in his last 10 games with 12 runs scored for Salt Lake. *** Alberto Callaspo ('04-'05) has hit .410 in Tuscon's last 10 games with nine runs scored. *** Chris Richard ('97-'99) has hit .281 in his last nine games with three home runs and 12 runs batted in for Indianapolis. *** Mike DiFelice ('94-'95, '97) has been signed by the New York Mets and sent to extended spring training. *** Willie Collazo ('04-'05) has posted a 3.00 ERA over his last five starts for Binghamton.

Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston Astros)

Brooks Conrad ('04-'05) has hit .310 with two home runs and seven RBI in his last 10 games for Round Rock.

Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers)

Wes Littleton ('06) has won in his first two appearances with the Oklahoma Redhawks since being called up from Wichita. *** Spike Lundberg ('03) hasn't allowed an earned run in his last 14 innings for Jacksonville. *** Vince Sinisi ('04) has gone 6-for-17 with two RBI in his last five games for Mobile.

Midland RockHounds (Oakland Athletics)

Graham Koonce ('02), who recently joined the Nashville Sounds, has smacked two home runs and scored five times in his first five games with the club. *** Mark Teahen ('04) has hit .333 with two home runs and seven runs scored in his last eight games with Omaha. He was recently promoted to Kansas City.

San Antonio Missions (Seattle Mariners)

Hiram Bocachica ('99) has hit .344 with three homers, eight RBI and eight runs scored in his last eight games with Sacramento. *** Michael Garciaparra ('06) has hit .385 in his last eight games with six runs scored for Tacoma.

Springfield Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals)

Travis Hanson ('05) has hit .355 in his last 10 games with the Memphis Redbirds.

Tulsa Drillers (Colorado Rockies)

Jeff Baker ('04) has batter .424 with a home run, seven RBI and five runs scored in his last nine games for Colorado Springs. His teammate Ryan Shealy ('04) has hit .282 with a homer and 10 RBI in his last 10 games.

Wichita Wranglers (Kansas City Royals)

Jed Hanson ('06, '01) has proved to be very versatile for the Fresno Grizzlies. He has played every position except centerfield and pitcher for his team, while hitting .246 with four home runs and 15 RBI. *** Ruben Gotay ('04-'05) has batted .325 with two home runs and four RBI in his last 10 games for Omaha. *** Cory Aldridge ('04-'05) homered in the ninth inning of Birmingham's win comeback win on June 1. *** Corey Thurman ('00-'01) recoreded his first win since April 23 for Huntsville, allowing two earned runs in five innings.

This Week in Texas League History

June 6, 1907 It was a tough day for Houston catchers as two were knocked out of the game by the fourth inning. W.E. Hester, a schoolteacher from Pueblo, CO, was on the hill for Houston, making his league debut. Possessed of a "wicked inshoot", one of Hester's sharply moving pitches broke the right thumb of catcher Wade Moore in the second inning. Two innings later, a foul tip broke and dislocated the index finger of Moore's replacement, Mr. Stump. With the injuries, pitchers Ivy Tevis and Buck Harris were pressed into service in the outfield. Even with their rotten luck, Houston nearly beat Dallas after scoring a run in the top of the 10th inning. However, Dallas rallied for two runs in their half of the inning to take a 5-4 win. Houston must have liked what it saw of Hester in the game. He would finish the season with a 17-6 record, second best on the team.

June 7, 1981 Midland used home-run punch to pound San Antonio twice, 12-11 and 12-5. Carmelo Martinez had three homers, two in the night-cap and one in the opener. He drove in a total of seven runs in the two games. Mel Hall also had a homer in each game for the Cubs.

June 8, 1924 Houston pounded Wichita Falls 13-4, using Pete Compton's 5-for-6 effort to ignite their offense. Compton opened the game with five straight hits, scoring all five times he was on base. He was not retired until his final at bat, in the ninth inning.

June 9, 1950 A single in the sixth inning by Charlie Kress was the only hit allowed by Tulsa starter Jim Blackburn as he led the Oilers to an 8-0 win over Houston. Blackburn also had a hand in the scoring for Tulsa. He capped a three-run, fourth inning with a two-run single, one of his two hits in the game.

June 10, 1896 Behind 10-1 after three innings, Austin began delaying tactics, hoping that the darkening skies would produce rain and rescue them from a loss to Houston. Austin pitcher George Blackburn started lobbing pitches to the plate, while fielders purposely avoided fielding balls hit in fair territory. Houston players countered by not running or running out of the base line so as to be called out. Six batters in the game were retired in his manner. With the score 26-5 after seven and a half innings, the farce was finally halted. The official score was reverted to a 19-5 win for Houston.

June 11, 1961 San Antonio collected 23 hits and overcame a 9-6, second inning deficit as they pounded Ardmore 15-10. Both starting pitchers in the game were knocked out in the first inning of the slugfest. San Antonio rocked John Stokoe for six runs on seven hits in the top of the first. Ardmore returned the favor against Ray Brooks in he bottom of the inning, scoring seven runs on three hits and four walks. Stokoe was relieved with two outs in the first inning, while Brooks was yanked after retiring just one hitter. Amazingly, relief pitchers Ron George for the Missions and George Gaffney for Ardmore, both finished the game for their respective clubs. George was, by far, the more successful, allowing Ardmore just three more runs on seven hits, while Gaffney was pounded for 16 hits and nine runs. Nelson Mathews and Danny Murphy led the Missions offensive charge, each collecting four hits in five trips to the plate. Murphy had a double and a go-ahead, two-run home run in the fifth, all good for four RBIs.

June 12, 1965 Tulsa got a doubleheader split the hard way. After losing to Austin in the first game 8-5, the Oilers needed 15 innings to take the night-cap 3-2. Tulsa finally ended the long evening when third baseman Bobby Pfiel drove in Ike Futch with a two-out single in the bottom of the 15th.



Texas League Stories from June 5, 2006


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.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central