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TL1 Texas League

Texas League update

August 14, 2006 - Texas League (TL1) News Release


Texas League Team Notes

Arkansas Travelers (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)

Second Half: 22-28, Last Week: 2-5

Third Place, Texas League North

[August 7 vs. Frisco] The Travs got both good hitting and good pitching in their 12-0 thrashing of Frisco. Greg Porter went 4-for-5 with four runs scored to lead the offense. Nathan Haynes doubled twice from the top of the order, while Eric Rodland went 1-for-2 with a double, two RBI, two runs scored and two walks. Chris Hunter tossed eight shutout innings, allowing five hits and a walk, while striking out seven. [August 10 at Midland] After starter Jose Arredondo allowed two runs on two hits in the first inning, he went the next five frames without allowing a hit. In the eighth inning, with the score tied 2-2 and Arredondo out of the game, the Travs scored four runs to down Midland 6-4. In the decisive eighth, the offense led off with three consecutive hits. After Terry Evans brought home a run on a groundout, Brent Del Chiaro singled home a pair of runs. Eric Rodland capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly. Reliever Kyle Edens picked up the win, evening his record to 3-3. [August 13 at Frisco] Despite a 7-5 loss to Frisco, several Travelers had a nice night at the plate. Nathan Haynes and Terry Evans each singled three times in five at-bats. Aaron Peel singled twice and hit a solo home run. Brandon Wood doubled and triple, driving in three runs. The three longhits give him a total of 69 extra-base hits this season, tops in the Texas League.

Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston Astros)

Second Half: 26-24, Last Week: 3-4

Third Place, Texas League South

[August 7 at Tulsa] Making a Major League rehab start, starter Carlos Hernandez yielded just one run on four hits and two strikeouts over three innings in the Hooks' 4-2 win. Josh Miller tossed the next five scoreless innings, surrendering just one hit and one walk, while striking out five, as he picked up the win. Hunter Pence, Walter Young and Jorge Cortes each had two hits on the night. Young drove in two runs with a first inning double. [August 10 vs. Wichita] Starter Troy Patton allowed just one unearned run on four hits and two walks in the Hooks' 3-2 win over Wichita. The 20-year-old left-hander struck out five batters and increase his record to 2-2. Josh Bonifay smashed a solo home run in the sixth inning and drove in another run on sacrifice fly in the first. Catcher Brent Peterson also hit a solo home run, hit second of the season. It was his first game since missing the previous three with a deep bruise on his left forearm. [August 11 vs. Wichita] The Hooks' blistered Wrangler pitchers for a franchise-record 20 hits in their 12-5 win. Jorge Cortes led the way, going 3-for-5, with his seventh home run of the year, a three-run shot, and four RBI. Josh Anderson went 3-for-6, with a double and two RBI, while Walter Young also drove in a pair of runs. Osvaldo Fernando and Brian Peterson each added three hits in the big win. All nine starters had at least one hit, and seven of nine had at least two. Ronnie Martinez picked up the win after tossing 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs and striking out five.

Player Notes:

Despite his team's 9-1 loss in his first game back from the disabled list, Juan Gutierrez tossed two shutout innings on his August 12th start. He had been out since July 1st with arm fatigue. It was reported that his velocity was good, despite just one strikeout.

Josh Anderson played as the designated hitter on August 12th for the first time in his career. He went 1-for-4 with a walk.

With two home runs on Friday, the Hooks' have 97 home runs on the season, passing last year's total of 96. Earlier in the week they eclipsed last season's run total of 533. They ended the week with 100 homers and 555 runs scored.

Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers)

Second Half: 27-23, Last Week: 5-2

First Place, Texas League South

[August 8 at Arkansas] Number nine hitter Casey Benjamin went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and five RBI in Frisco's 8-7 win over Arkansas. Enrique Cruz also had a big night as he went 4-for-4 with three runs scored and a double. Starter Paul Kometani surrendered six runs in the first inning, but settled down to hold Arkansas scoreless over the next four frames. Lou Pote continued to pitch well as he tossed a pair of scoreless relief innings. [August 9 at Arkansas] The 'Riders battled to a 7-6 win over Arkansas on solid starting pitching and three home runs. Starter Eric Hurley surrendered two runs over six innings, allowing four hits and a walk while fanning nine. He picked up the win and moved his record to 2-0 in four Double-A starts. He now has a 2.63 ERA. Nate Gold hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning, his 27th home run of the season. Also homering for Frisco were Enrique Cruz and Casey Benjamin. The two clubs traded two-run halves in the eighth inning. Frisco scored runs on a doubles by Cruz and Mike Nickeas. [August 10 at Springfield] Jake Blalock went a perfect 5-for-5 with a pair of doubles in Frisco's 7-6, 13-inning win over Springfield. Ruddy Yan singled home Blalock in the top of the 13th frame to give the 'Riders their third consecutive win. Tim Hulett had three hits, while Kevin Richardson hit his 14th home run of the season. Reliever Steven Rowe tossed six shutout innings, allowing just one hit and fanning six to pick up the win. His record improved to 5-4. [August 11 at Springfield] Led by Thomas Diamond, the Frisco pitching staff shut down Springfield in their 4-0 win. Diamond tossed five shutout innings, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out four. He picked up the win, increasing his record to 10-5. Lou Pote tossed three shutout frames, while Dan Touchet threw a scoreless ninth. Casey Benjamin drove in a pair of runs, while James Fasano went 1-for-2 with a double, two walks and two runs scored. [August 13 vs. Arkansas] Frisco went deep three times in their 7-5 win over Arkansas. Nate Gold hit his 28th homer of the season in the first inning, a two-run shot. James Fasano and Ben Harrison went yard back-to-back in the eighth inning. Gold and Harrison each added a double in the game. Paul Kometani gave up just two runs over 5 1/3 innings to pick up the win.

Player Notes:

After getting tagged for 12 runs in his first two Texas League starts, Luis Mendoza shutdown Springfield for six innings on the 12th. Despite his team's 4-0 loss, Mendoza allowed just three hits and two walks while striking out six.

Midland RockHounds (Oakland Athletics)

Second Half: 26-23, Last Week: 6-1

Second Place, Texas League South

[August 7 vs. Springfield] Cameron Coughlan entered the game in the eighth inning as a pinch-runner, but he proved his real value was with his bat. With the game tied and the bases loaded in with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Coughlan sent the first pitch he saw over the leftfield wall for a grand slam, giving give Midland a walk-off 5-1 win. It was Coughlan's first round-tripper of 2006, and snapped Midland's seven-game losing skid. Starter Brad Knox kept his team close, giving up just one unearned run on one hit and five walks over 7 1/3 innings. Jared Burton recorded the win after tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings of work. [August 8 vs. Springfield] For the second game in a row, Midland won on some walk-off heroics. Instead of a walk-off grand though, they got a walk-off walk when outfielder Matt Allegra drew a bases loaded walk to break a 1-1 tie and give Midland a 2-1 victory. The 'Hounds drew two other walks in the inning and had eight in the game. Starter Michael Rogers tossed seven shutout innings, allowing five hits and two walks while fanning four. It was Rogers' best start since coming to Midland on July 15. [August 9 vs. Springfield] Kevin Olsen limited Springfield hitters to just one run on six hits as the 'Hounds won their third in a row by a score of 2-1. Midland relievers combined to toss three shutout innings, striking out five, while Marcus McBeth picked up his 14th save of the season. The only two Midland players to have RBIs in the game with went hitless. Kevin Melillo brought home Brian Stavisky on a fourth inning groundout, while Ronnie Merrill drove in Lloyd Turner with a fifth inning sacrifice fly. In the three-game set against Springfield, Midland starters went a combined 20 1/3 innings, while allowing just one earned run on 12 hits. [August 12 at Midland] Brad Knox held Arkansas hitters to three runs on five hits in the 'Hounds 4-3 win. Brian Stavisky supported his pitcher by going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Mark Kiger and David Castillo each added a pair of hits in the win. [August 13 at Springfield] Brad Zielger was back in Midland after six Triple-A starts. He made his return a good one. The right-hander picked up the "W" after allowing just one earned run over five innings, striking out three in Midland's 11-3 win. In relief of Ziegler, Jeff Coleman and Justin Crowder each tossed two hitless innings. Jed Morris went 1-for-2 with four walks and two runs scored in the win. Kevin Melillo homered and drove in three runs, leading the offense. Ronnie Merrill added a pair of doubles to the winning effort. The 'Hounds scored a run in all but two innings and every Midland starter had at least one hit.

Player Notes:

Though catcher Casey Myers joined the team last week, he will be limited to a designated hitter and first base role. He is still recovering from labrum surgery performed last October. He has hit .298 with five walks and five RBI in his first 11 games back with Midland. Myers was a member of the 'Hounds 2005 championship squad.

Brad Knox is 7-2 with a 2.24 ERA in the second half of this season. His victory on Saturday night was his seventh win in his last nine starts. He was a perfect 6-0 in July. Spanos is chasing an unenviable League mark for most times hit by a pitch in one season. Through Sunday Spanos has been hit 23 times. The League record is 27, set by Galveston's Ed Miller in 1916.

Vasili Spanos, who has been on the disabled list since August 3rd, was back in action on the 12th. In his two games back he has gone 3-for-9 with a walk.

Catcher Kurt Suzuki, who has been out with a hand injury since August 4, could return soon.

Outfielders Travis Buck and Dan Putnam could both return before the end of the season. Putnam is rehabbing in Single-A Stockton. Buck, though, has yet to start his rehab.

Brant Colamarino missed two games after being struck on the right leg with a pitch on Wednesday. He played as the designated hitter on Friday, going 2-for-4.

Mark Kiger left the August 12th game after injuring his right hand while fielding a bad hop. He is day-to-day.

To make room for the return of Brad Ziegler, Cameron Coughlan was placed on the disabled list.

In addition to a strong offense, the 'Hounds have one of the best defensive teams in the league. Ronnie Merrill (shortstop), Kevin Melillo (second base) and Kurt Suzuki (catcher) each lead the league in fielding percentage for their respective positions.

San Antonio Missions (Seattle Mariners)

Second Half: 24-25, Last Week: 0-6

Last Place, Texas League South

[August 11 vs. Tulsa] Despite Robert Rohrbaugh's fine effort, San Antonio fell 5-1 to Tulsa. Rohrbaugh held Tulsa to just two runs over seven frames. He yielded four hits and two walks while fanning four. Jason Bourgeois drove in the lone run for San Antonio on a single, scoring Sebastian Boucher.

Player Notes:

Eric O'Flaherty was promoted to Triple-A Tacoma after the game on August 5. His roster spot was filled by Byron Embry, who was signed by Seattle from the Kansas City T-Bones of the Independent Northern League. In addition, reliever Craig James came off the disabled list. He had last pitched on July 18th.

Catcher Guillermo Quiroz will miss at least three weeks with a broken finger suffered on August 7. Luis Oliveros was recalled from Inland Empire to take his roster spot.

Having not played since July 20th due to shoulder injury, Yung Chi Chen has completed a rehab assignment in Arizona and rejoined the club on August 9.

Springfield Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals)

Second Half: 20-30, Last Week: 1-6

Last Place, Texas League North

[August 12 vs. Frisco] Despite fanning 10 batters over six shutout innings, Blake Hawksworth didn't get credited for a win in Springfield's 4-0 triumph. He allowed just five hits and two walks, lowering his ERA to 3.69. The right-hander was relieved in the seventh frame by Troy Cate, who was making his Cardinals debut. Cate tossed two perfect innings, and picked up the win. All the game's offense came in the eighth inning when the Cards pushed four runs across the plate. Nick Stavinoha led off the inning with a solo home run, his ninth of the season. With two runners on and two outs, Gabe Johnson sent a pitch over the centerfield wall to cap the scoring. It was his seventh longball of the season.

Player Notes:

Larry Bigbie has had a setback in his rehab. He was forced to leave the game in the third inning of the August 8th game after feeling pain in his left side. He is day-to-day. St. Louis farm director Bruce Manno told the Springfield News-Leader that no consideration has been given to shutting Bigbie down for the season despite struggling through his rehab.

On Tuesday, August 8th, catcher Iker Franco came off the disabled list, having not played since the 22nd. To make room for him on the roster, catcher Dan Moylan was sent to Single-A Palm Beach.

Starting pitcher Chris Lambert left the August 11th game after just one inning due to a twinge in his right biceps. Lambert was placed on the disabled list after the injury was official labeled as a pulled biceps, but he is expected to miss just one start.

Stuart Pomeranz had been on the disabled list since June 30th with a strained left oblique, but was back on the mound Sunday. He was greeted with five runs in 2 1/3 innings from the Midland offense. He was hung with the loss and dropped his record to 7-4.

Down 10-3 in the ninth inning, Springfield put infielder Kevin Estrada on the pitcher's mound to help relieve a taxed bullpen. While he did allow one run on a hit and a walk, he struck out two batters.

Tulsa Drillers (Colorado Rockies)

Second Half: 24-24, Last Week: 5-1

Second Place, Texas League North

[August 8 vs. Corpus Christi] Enmanuel Elloa settled down after giving up three runs in the first inning, including back-to-back home runs, helping lead Tulsa to a 5-4 win over Corpus Christi. Jud Thigpen went 3-for-4 with a double in the win. In his fourth game with the club since being called up from Single-A Modesto, Jeff Dragicevich doubled and drove in a pair of runs. Troy Tulowitzki also doubled for Tulsa. [August 9 vs. Corpus Christi] The Drillers jumped out to an early 5-0 lead and went on to sink the Hooks, 7-3. Joe Koshansky crushed two homers for Tulsa, including a two-run shot in the first inning. Joe Gaetti followed with a solo homer in the second frame. The Drillers extended their lead to five after Tino Sanchez drove home a pair of runs in the third inning with a single, one of his three hits in the game. Marc Kaiser limited Corpus to just three runs over seven innings. It was his third win in as many starts against the Hooks. With the win Tulsa moved to 9-1 against Corpus, with a 6-1 record at home. [August 11 at San Antonio] The Drillers kicked off a three-game set against the Missions with a 5-1 win. Steven Register yielded just one run over six innings on seven hits and three walks. Jentry Beckstead and Jim Miller combined for three hitless innings of relief. Joe Koshansky and Jordan Czarniecki each had a pair of hits, while Seth Smith smacked a solo home run in the eighth inning. [August 12 at San Antonio] Alvin Colina smashed an eighth inning grand slam to put Tulsa on top 5-3, which would prove to be the final score. Tulsa hitters drew an impressive 11 walks in the game, including five in the big inning. Zack Parker picked up the win after tossing a scoreless inning of relief.

Player Notes:

Joe Koshansky hasn't relented on Texas League pitchers. He has smashed a league-best 29 longballs this season, and became the first batter in the league this year to hit the 100-RBI mark.

Ian Stewart had a 19-game hitting streak snapped on August 8th. The third baseman raised his average nearly 20 points in that span.

Wichita Wranglers (Kansas City Royals)

Second Half: 29-21, Last Week: 5-2

First Place, Texas League North

[August 7 at San Antonio] Any way you look at it, Billy was the star of this game. Starting pitcher Billy Buckner allowed no runs on two hits and three walks over seven innings, helping to lead Wichita to a 7-0 win over San Antonio. Billy Butler starred for the offense, hitting a pair of solo home runs to give him 14 on the season. Dee Brown also hit a solo home run for the Wranglers. In the sixth inning Butler and Brown went back-to-back. [August 8 at San Antonio] For the second night in a row, Wichita held San Antonio scoreless and rolled to a 6-0 win. Starter Brian Bass tossed five shutout innings, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out six. Relievers Gabe DeHoyos, Juan Cedeno and Devon Lowery combined to allow just two hits over four innings, striking out four. Billy Butler went 3-for-4 with a walk and a two-run homer. [August 9 at San Antonio] The Wranglers made it a clean sweep of San Antonio, taking the third and final game of the series, 3-2. Zack Greinke held the Missions scoreless over seven innings, allowing just four hits and a walk while striking out seven while picking up his sixth win. Mitch Maier went 2-for-4 with a double and a two-run single in the seventh inning. Billy Butler, who was 7-for-13 in the series, hit an RBI double in the top of the ninth inning to break the 2-2 tie. [August 12 at Corpus Christi] The Wranglers scored seven runs in the sixth inning and rolled to a 9-1 win over the Hooks. Dee Brown and Mitch Maier each had two-run hits in the decisive frame. Brown also hit a solo home run in the eighth inning. Alex Gordon doubled three times and scored twice in the game. Billy Buckner had his second outstanding start of the week, limiting the Hooks to just one run on six hits and two walks over six innings. The win was his second of the week. [August 13 at Corpus Christi] Alex Gordon homered twice and drove in four runs, leading Wichita to an 8-6 win. The two homers give him 24 on the season, best on the club. His seventh inning blast to rightfield was one of the longest there in the Whataburger Field's short history. Brian Bass held Corpus Christi to just one run on five hits over five innings, increasing his record to 3-0. Adam Keim added three hits in the win, including a double and an RBI.

Topps/Texas League Player of the Month

Alex Gordon, Wichita Wranglers

34-110, .355, 34 R, 9 HR, 31 RBI, 4 SB

Alex Gordon was named the Topps/Texas League Player of the Month of July after terrorizing Texas League Pitchers for 31 days. He had 12 games with at least two-hits, and four with at least three. He hit home runs in four consecutive games between July 24 and July 28, and capped it off with perhaps his most impressive game of the month. On the 28th, Gordon went 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles, a homer and five RBI. It was his second five RBI performance of the month, after going 3-for-4 with a double, a homer and five driven in on the 16th against Frisco. In the month he was tied for second in the league in home runs, third in RBI and second in total bases. He also recorded the second longest hitting streak of the month at 12.

Baseball America rates Gordon as the Royals' top prospect and the #5 prospect in all of baseball. After being drafted second overall in the 2005 amateur draft, Gordon has impressed many with his play in Wichita, where he made his professional debut at the start of the season. In 111 games this season he has a .320 batting average with 24 home runs and 34 doubles. While he may be best known for his offense, he is no slouch with the glove. He has committed just 13 errors from the hot corner and leads all Texas League third basemen with a .958 fielding percentage.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Aaron Peel, Arkansas Travelers

14-32, .438, .750 SLG, 6 R, 4 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI

After Aaron Peel hit safely in all seven games this week and hit six extra-base hits, it was hard to deny him Player of the Week honors. The 23 year-old outfielder had four multi-hit games this week, including a four hit effort on the 9th against Frisco. In that game, Peel doubled twice, homered and drove in three runs. On the 13th he went 3-for-5 with his second home run of the week and scored a pair of runs.

Drafted in the 11th round of the 2002 draft out by the Angels, the outfielder has progressed strongly through the minor leagues. In his first full professional season, Peel hit 302 with Provo of the Pioneer League. After struggling in the Midwest League in 2004, Peel broke out in 2005. Again with Cedar Rapids of the Midwest League, Peel hit .308 with 34 RBI in just 182 at-bats before a mid-season promotion. With Rancho Cucamonga of the California League, Peel hit .311 with 11 home runs and 46 runs scored in 222 at-bats. His 2005 total of 19 home runs was a career high, easily surpassing his total of eight in 2004. He has been solid again this year, hitting .293 with 35 doubles and 11 home runs.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Billy Buckner, Wichita Wranglers

2-0, 0.69 ERA, 13 IP, 8 H, 5 BB, 9 K

Giving up just one run in two starts, collecting a win in each, Billy Buckner was a clear choice for the Texas League Pitcher of the Week. He was truly dominant on August 7th against San Antonio, giving up just two hits and three walks while striking out five batters over seven shutout frames. His winning ways continued on August 12th, holding a potent Corpus Christi lineup to just one run on six hits and two walks over six innings. The win gave him four in his last five starts.

Kansas City selected Buckner in the second round of the 2004 draft out of the University of South Carolina. The 6'2 right-hander posted a solid debut in the Pioneer League that year, posting a 3.30 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 30 innings. After putting up similar numbers in Burlington of the Midwest League last season, the Royals promoted him to the Cal League. He started there again in 2006, and delivered a 7-1 record with a 3.90 ERA in 16 starts before being sent to Wichita. Despite a few bumps along the way, his Double-A debut has gone well. After putting up an ERA of 6.98 in July, he has found the groove in August, going 2-1 and with just six runs allowed in three starts.

Alumni Report (through 8/13)

Dax Norris (Round Rock '03-'04, Corpus Christi '05) was honored by his current team, the Richmond Braves, as they hold "Dax Norris Bald Appreciation Night" on Friday, August 11th. They celebrated by offering free admission to anyone who is bald, and fans received a Norris hand-held mask and bald cap.

J.R. House (Corpus Christi '06) has been demolishing Triple-A pitching since his late-August call-up. He is hitting .455 with two HR and 20 RBI through 16 games with the Round Rock Express.

Ruben Rivera (Tulsa, '02) has batted .360 in his last eight games with three homers and seven runs scored for Charlotte.

Despite hitting .243 in his last 10 games, Carlos Pena (Tulsa '00) has hit a pair of homers, driven in nine RBI and scored seven runs for Columbus.

Norris Hopper (Wichita, '02-'03) leads the International League in batting with a .346 mark for Louisville.

Carlos Mendez (Wichita '97-'98) has hit .353 in his last six games with a homer and four RBI for Richmond.

"I'm a line-drive hitter, then what happens? Sometimes you have a night like tonight. I don't even try to hit home runs. I'm a leadoff hitter. Tonight was my night to hit home runs. Who knows? (Today), I could go 0-for-4 or 5-for-5." Toledo outfielder Alexis Gomez (Wichita '01-'02) to the Columbus Dispatch after trying the International League record with four home runs on August 7.

"I feel much better. I feel I can compete ever game. My fastball was down, and that was the key." - Pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez (Tulsa '05-'06) after going 3-0 in his last three starts for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.

Eric Riggs (San Antonio '00) has hit .343 in his last 10 games with Las Vegas. Teammate D.J. Houlton (Round Rock '03-'04) tossed seven shutout innings in a 3-0 win on August 7th, snapping a six-game losing streak for the 51s.

Junior Spivey (Tulsa '98, El Paso '99, '03) has hit .368 in his last 10 games with four homers, seven RBI and 10 runs scored for Memphis.

Laynce Nix (Frisco '03 - '04) has hit .394 in his last nine games with a pair of homers, seven RBI and six runs scored for Nashville.

Joaquin Arias (Frisco '05) has batted .324 in his last 10 games with seven RBI for Oklahoma.

"I'm just trying to get back to the big leagues, man. That's the place to be, and I was throwing strikes and getting ground balls. Hopefully that is a step to go back. It was probably the best game I've throwing in Triple-A." Pitcher John Rheinecker (Midland '02-'03) to the Oklahoman after he threw a four-hit shutout on August 10. It is his third straight Triple-A start without allowing a run, and it lowered his ERA to 2.49.

Jack Cust (El Paso '00) has been red hot on August, batting .371 with seven homers, 13 RBI and 11 runs scored in 11 games for Portland (PCL).

"He's going to be a big part (of what we do), no matter where we put him." Round Rock manager Jackie Moore told the Austin American-Statesman about pitcher Chris Sampson (Corpus Christi '05), who was 11-2 with a 2.73 ERA before being move to the bullpen.

Jason Windsor (Midland '05-'06) improved his record to 11-0 after a win on August 8. He is 2-0 with a 1.32 ERA in August for Sacramento. Windsor began the season with a 4-1 record at Midland before being promoted to Sacramento.

Several Salt Lake Bees are stinging the ball. Mike Eylward (Arkansas '04-'05) has hit .457 in his last nine games with a homer and nine RBI. Nick Gorneault (Arkansas '03-'04) has batted .405 in his last 10, with a homer and eight runs scored. Slugger Dallas McPherson (Arkansas '03-'04) has four homers, a double and a triple in August. In 45 games with Salt Lake, McPherson has 14 homers and 38 RBI.

Bryan Lahair (San Antonio, '06) has hit .381 in his last 10 games with seven homers, 16 RBI and 14 runs scored with Tacoma. Teammate Oswaldo Navarro (San Antonio '06) has hit .419 in his last nine games with seven RBI.

"What can you say? (Lahair) pretty much put it to us in his first three (at-bats)." Portland manager Craig Colbert told the (Portland) Orgonian after Bryan Lahair went 3-for-4 with two home runs and six RBI in Tacoma's 11-7 loss to Portland on August 11.

This Week in Texas League History

August 14, 1931 Wichita Falls took a day-night doubleheader from host San Antonio, winning the opener 16-6 and the nightcap 4-3. Slugger Red Badgro led the Spudders 18-hit outburst in the first game with a 5-for-6 effort. Catcher Bud Hungling drove in the final four runs for the winners in the first contest with a ninth inning grand slam. It was his only hit in the game.

August 15, 1913 It was a nearly perfect effort for San Antonio ace Frank Browning as he defeated Fort Worth 2-0, allowing the Panthers just one hit and two total baserunners. Through seven innings, a fifth inning walk to Harry Eberline was the only mark against Browning. In the eighth, Bobby Wallace poked a "dinky" single, just out of reach of second baseman Charlie Sietz. Fort Worth's losing pitcher Charlie Veasey deserved a better outcome as he limited the Bronchos to just three hits in his nine innings of work.

August 16, 1957 Benny Valenzuela helped Houston pound Tulsa, 13-6, with three big hits that drove in a total of six runs. Valenzuela had a double, triple and Houston's first grand slam of the season in the game at Tulsa that produced fireworks even before the game began. Prior to the plate meeting, Tulsa manager Al Widmar expectorated copiously on home plate, raking dirt into the mess with his shoe. Plate umpire Tex Harper didn't notice the mess until he prepared to dust off the plate to start the game. Unamused, he immediately ejected Widmar and left the plate the way he found it for several innings, commenting, "I'm not going to put my broom in that stuff."

August 17, 1923 San Antonio rolled over Galveston 21-6 as their hitters collected 29 hits off two Sand Crabs hurlers. Clean-up hitter Syl Simon had five hits for the winners, while Ike Boone added four hits and drove in four runs. Simon used a homer, a double and three singles to drive in at least six San Antonio runs.

August 18, 1896 Every Houston player hit safely and scored at least one run in a 23-13 win over Austin. Houston leftfielder Charlie Becker provided the punch for the Buffaloes with a single, double and two triples in six at-bats. Henry Cote and George Reed added four hits each to the Houston cause.

August 19, 1931 Houston ace Dizzy Dean scattered four hits and struck out 14 as he throttled Fort Worth 9-0. Joe Medwick and Homer Peel both had three hits and three RBI in support of Dean's masterful work.

August 20, 1974 Tony Pepper's one-out homer in the top of the 15th inning provided Amarillo with their winning margin in a 4-3 win at Midland. The middle of the game provided fans with a duel between relief aces. Amarillo's Dave Heaverlo scattered six hits and allowed no runs over 7 1/3 innings from the sixth through the 13th inning. Cubs' hurler Bruce Suter was even better. Entering the game with one out in the third, Suter pitched shutout ball for 8 2/3 innings, allowing just four hits and no walks as he kept the Cubs in the long game.

August 21, 2000 Hard-hitting Jason Hart gave Midland fans something to remember as he hit for the cycle in the RockHounds final home game of the season. Hart, who was 4-for-5 in a 10-3 win over Shreveport, completed the cycle when he legged out a triple in the eighth inning. It was just his third triple of the year.



Texas League Stories from August 14, 2006


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