Texas League update

August 21, 2006 - Texas League (TL1) News Release

Texas League Team Notes

Arkansas Travelers (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)

Second Half: 23-34, Last Week: 1-6

Third Place, Texas League North

[August 14 at Frisco] Starter Nick Green put together one of the his team's most impressive starts of the year as the Travs pitched their way to a 1-0 win. Green struck out the first five batters he faced, and retired the first 16 batters he faced. He finished the evening with eight innings, allowing no runs on just two hits, no walks and 11 strikeouts. The lone run of the game came in the first inning when Nathan Haynes scored on Brandon Wood's groundball. Haynes reached on a single, one of just two Arkansas hits. Wood had the other, a double in the fourth.Player Notes:

With Nick Green's fourth inning walk in his start on August 19, he snapped a streak of 24 innings without issuing a free pass. He has just 17 walks in 98 1/3 Texas League innings. Brandon Wood played his last game of the season for Arkansas on August 15. He left the club to join the U.S. National squad to prepare for the Olympic qualifying tournament in Cuba. Taking his place at shortstop is Sean Rodriguez, who hit .301 with 24 home runs and 29 doubles in 116 games for Rancho Cucamonga.

Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston Astros)

Second Half: 30-27, Last Week: 4-3

Third Place, Texas League South

[August 14 vs. Tulsa] Chance Douglass tossed a nine-inning complete game shutout, leading Corpus to a 3-0 win over Tulsa. The 22 year-old right-hander allowed just a pair of hits, no walks and five strikeouts, using just 109 pitches to do so. It was his second complete game shutout of the season, matching the feat on June 28, and has become the first pitcher in Hook's history to record two shutouts in one season. He held Tulsa hitless into the fifth inning. Hunter Pence drove in a pair of runs for the Hooks', at the time increasing his season total to a team-best 87. He would end the week with 93. Josh Anderson singled three times from the top of the order, while Brian Peterson hit a solo home run in the second inning. The game lasted a brisk two hours and three minutes. [August 16 vs. Tulsa] The Hooks made two comebacks in their 7-6 extra-inning win over Tulsa. Mark Saccomanno hit a two-out run-scoring single in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at 4-4. It was one of three hits and four RBI for the third baseman. In extras, Tulsa scored two runs to take a 6-4 lead in the top of the 10th inning. This time Josh Bonifay provided the two-out heroics, crushing a two-strike, three-run home run to left-center, giving the another dramatic victory. Paul Estrada picked up the win to increase his record to 6-4. [August 16 vs. Tulsa] The Hooks used seven pitchers against Tulsa, but came out on top with a 6-5 win. Mark Saccomanno went 3-for-3 with a walk, a home run and three RBI. His homer was a two-run shot in the seventh inning, and proved to be the game-winner. Hunter Pence also went deep for the Hooks, a two-run blast in the third inning, his 27th of the season. Johnny Ash added three singles to the winning effort. Starter Juan Guteirrez, who was on a limited pitch count, tossed three shutout innings, allowing just one hit while striking out four. Aaron Williams picked up the win in relief, while Paul Estrada recorded his 15th save of the season by retiring the final batter of the game. [August 18 at Wichita] Mark Saccomanno hit a third inning grand slam in helping to lead the Hooks to a 14-4 thrashing of Wichita. Josh Bonifay added a two-run shot in the eighth frame. Josh Miller lasted eight innings, surrendering four runs on nine hits over right innings. The right-hander didn't allow any walks and struck out four. The Hooks have now won 12 of the 14 games in which Saccomanno has homered.

Player Notes:

Wade Robinson hit his first home run of the season on August 15. Having played for three different teams this year, Robinson had 192 at-bats until he went deep.

Derek Nicholson was activated off the inactive list on Thursday. Nicholson is primarily an infielder, but serves as an emergency catcher when necessary.

Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers)

Second Half: 32-25, Last Week: 5-2

Second Place, Texas League South

[August 14 vs. Arkansas] Despite a brilliant performance by starter Eric Hurley, the RoughRiders fell 1-0 to the Travs. Hurley allowed one run on an RBI groundout in the first inning. He yielded just a pair of hits and a walk over seven innings. The offense never got going, recording just two hits in the game. The only extra-base hit for Frisco was a two-out triple by Kevin Richardson in the eighth inning. [August 15 vs. Arkansas] The 'Riders used a ninth-inning walk-off double to down the Travs, 5-4. With one out in the inning, Casey Benjamin brought home Travis Metcalf with his second double of the game. Nate Gold stroked a two-run homer in the third inning, his 29th of the season. Lou Pote picked up the win after tossing three scoreless frames. [August 16 at Frisco] Nate Gold smacked his 30th home run of the season in Frisco's 8-1 win over Arkansas. It was his third in his last four games, and keeps him at the top of the Texas League home run leaderboard. Thomas Diamond picked up his 11th win by tossing five strong innings, allowing one run on five hits and three walks. Ben Harrison also homered in the game, a two-run shot, while Casey Benjamin added a pair of doubles. [August 18 vs. Springfield] It took Frisco 11 innings, but they defeated Springfield 6-5. Enrique Cruz delivered a two-out single in the final frame to push Frisco ahead. Ben Harrison added a two-run home run in the seventh inning. Lou Pote tossed two shutout innings of relief, while Jesse Ingram tossed the top of the 11th to pick up the win. [August 8 vs. Springfield] Frisco used a five-run second inning to defeat Springfield, 8-1. The big inning was highlighted by Casey Benjamin's two-run double. Nate Gold added a solo home run, his 31st of the season, in the seventh inning. Starter Eric Hurley allowed just one unearned run over six innings, picking up the win to increase his record to 3-1.

Player Notes:

Despite going 5-2 on the week, Frisco lost ground to Midland, who has won six in a row. Frisco is now half a game back of the 'Hounds.

Midland RockHounds (Oakland Athletics)

Second Half: 32-24, Last Week: 6-1

First Place, Texas League South

[August 15 at Springfield] After a six-run eighth inning helped push them into extra innings, Midland scored three more in the 11th to sink Springfield, 9-6. In the eighth, the 'Hounds had six hits, including a three-run blast by Brian Stavisky to cap the scoring. Kurt Suzuki and Kevin Melillo each had a double in the frame. With the score tied 6-6 in the 11th, Vasili Spanos came in to score on a wild pitch, which proved to be the game winner. Mark Kiger and Kurt Suzuki each added RBI singles in the inning. Connor Robertson picked up his seventh win of the season after allowing one run over three innings of relief. Marcus McBeth tossed a scoreless 11th to pick up his 17th save of the year. [August 16 at Springfield] Midland scored two runs in the first inning, then went scoreless for nine frames before Ronnie Merrill smacked a two-run homer in the top of the 11th to give Midland a 4-2 lead in an eventual 5-2 win. The final run would be added on Casey Myers' sacrifice fly, scoring Brian Stavisky. Michael Mitchell picked up the win after tossing a perfect 10th inning, while Marcus McBeth got his 18th save after retiring the side in the 11th. [August 19 at Arkansas] Brian Stavisky's second home run in as many days helped the 'Hounds defeat the Travs, 5-4. Vasili Spanos added to the effort with a two-run single in the fourth inning. Brad Ziegler recorded the win after surrendering two runs over 6 1/3 innings. [August 20 vs. Arkansas] Brant Colamarino went 3-for-4 with a double, two homers and five RBI in Midland's 13-7 pounding of Arkansas. Dan Putnam went 2-for-5 with a ninth inning grand slam. Mark Kiger reach base and scored four times from the lead-off position, while Brian Stavisky went 4-for-6 with three RBI. The numbers 1-4 hitters (Kiger, Putnam, Stavisky, Colamarino) went a combined 11-19 with 12 RBI and 10 runs scored. Kevin Olsen limited Arkansas to two runs (one earned) over six innings, increasing his record to 4-1.

Player Notes:

Catcher Landon Powell joined the team this week after Kurt Suzuki left to join the US Olympic qualifying squad. Oakland selected Powell in the first round of the 2004 draft.

San Antonio Missions (Seattle Mariners)

Second Half: 26-30, Last Week: 2-5

Last Place, Texas League South

[August 17 at Wichita] The Missions snapped an 11-game losing streak, narrowly defeating the Wranglers 4-3. Scott Youngbauer went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI to lead the offense. Yung Chi Chen singled twice and drove in a run. Yorman Bazardo didn't get a win, but he tossed 6 1/3 solid innings, yielding just two runs on four hits, striking out five. Chad Fillinger picked up the win, increasing his record to 6-1. Byron Embree recorded the final out of the game to record his first save for San Antonio. [August 19 at Tulsa] Jesus Guzman went 2-for-3 with a grand slam, a double and four RBI in the San Antonio's 7-3 win over Tulsa. Mike Wilson also added a long-ball, his tenth of the season. Ryan Feierabend gave up three runs over 6 2/3 innings of his start. Reliever Craig James picked up the victory after tossing just 1/3 of an inning. The Missions five-run eighth inning came after a 100 minute rain delay. The decisive frame was highlighted by Guzman's grand slam.

Player Notes:

Sebastian Boucher and Matt Rogelstad joined the Canadian National team on Saturday to help them qualify for the 2008 summer games. They will miss the rest of the Texas League season.

Mike Wilson's 10 game hit streak came to an end on August 17th. It is doubtful that he minded though, as the Missions snapped their 11-game losing skid, the longest the team has seen since 2000.

Mike Wilson, Matt Tuiasosopo, Stephan Kahn and Craig James were all invited to the Arizona Fall League following the season. The four Missions will get to play against some of the best minor league talent in the country.

Springfield Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals)

Second Half: 22-35, Last Week: 2-5

Last Place, Texas League North

[August 14 vs. Midland] After falling behind 2-0 in the top half of the first, the Cards scored six runs on two three-run homers in the bottom half, leading the way to a 7-2 win. The two longballs came from Nick Stavinoha and Iker Franco. After giving up the two runs in the first, starter Mike Parisi settled down, shutting out the 'Hounds over the next 6 2/3. In total he gave up two runs, one earned, on three hits, and four walks over 7 2/3 innings while striking out eight [August 17 at Frisco] Blake Hawksworth tossed seven stellar innings, leading Springfield to a 5-1 win. Over seven frames the right-hander gave up one run on two hits and three walks while striking out four. Amaury Marti hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning, his sixth of the season for the Cards.

Player Notes:

Springfield trainer Brad LaRosa has been selected as the 2006 Texas League Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society.

Reid Gorecki was promoted to Triple-A Memphis On Tuesday, August 15. He was hitting .251 with 16 homers and 21 doubles at the time.

Tulsa Drillers (Colorado Rockies)

Second Half: 27-28, Last Week: 3-4

Second Place, Texas League North

[August 15 at Corpus Christi] Marc Kaiser picked up his fourth win this season against Corpus Christi by a score of 5-3. Over 6 2/3 innings he allowed three runs on seven hits, striking out two. Christian Colonel went 2-for-4 with a solo home run. Troy Tulowitzki and Joe Gaetti each added a pair of hits and a run scored. [August 18 vs. San Antonio] Seth Smith went 3-for-4 with four RBI in Tulsa's 10-4 win over San Antonio. The outfielder singled twice and doubled. Troy Tulowitzki, Matt Miller and Joe Gaetti each added a homer in the win. Juan Morillo struck out seven batters over five innings to pick up the win and increase his record to 10-8. [August 20 vs. San Antonio] Marc Kaiser tossed a complete game, five-hit shutout, leading his team to a 7-0 win. It is Kaiser's third complete game of the season, tops in the league. Troy Tulowitzki provided a three-run home run in the fourth inning, which proved to be all the offense the Drillers needed.

Player Notes:

Alberto Arias made an emergency start on August 19 after scheduled start Enmanuel Ulloa was scratched with kidney stones. Arias allowed just one run in four innings.

Joe Koshansky is close to breaking a pair of Tulsa team records. At 30 home runs he is just two shy of tying the club home run record, and at 103 RBI he is two short of the club RBI mark.

Reliever Jentry Beckstead has allowed just one run on his last nine games. 18 1/3 innings he has yielded just five hits and three walks with 23 strikeouts.

Wichita Wranglers (Kansas City Royals)

Second Half: 34-23 Last Week: 5-2

First Place, Texas League North

[August 14 vs. San Antonio] With plenty of offensive support, Zack Greinke pitched Wichita to a 11-3 win over San Antonio. Over seven innings he allowed a single run on five hits and a walk while striking out seven. The win increased his record to 7-2. Adam Keim, Billy Butler and Matt Brown each had three hits in the contest, while Alex Gordon added two. All nine starts had a hit in the game, and seven scored at least one run. [August 15 vs. San Antonio] In his last game before departing to join the U.S. National team, Billy Butler went 2-for-4 with an RBI, helping Wichita to a 4-2 win. A rehabbing Mike Wood tossed the first two innings for Wichita, allowing no runs on one hit and two strikeouts. Tyler Lumsden tossed the next six frames, yielding two runs on seven hits. He picked up the win and increased his record to 1-1. [August 16 vs. San Antonio] The Wranglers cranked out 11 runs on 17 hits, and needed every one of them in their 11-10 nail biting win over San Antonio. Mitch Maier went a perfect 5-for-5 with three RBI to lead the offense. Matt Brown added three hits, while three other batters had two. 15 of the Wranglers' 17 hits were singles, with a double coming from Alex Gordon and a triple from Chris Lubanski. Neal Musser picked up the win by slowing the San Antonio attack, providing 3 1/3 scoreless frames of relief. [August 19 vs. Corpus Christi] Zack Greinke picked up his second win of the week after limiting Wichita to three runs (two earned) over seven innings in Wichita's 5-3 win. Neal Musser tossed the final two hitless frames, striking out five. Alex Gordon hit a two-run first inning home run to give Wichita an early advantage. Angel Sanchez added to the win with three singles and two runs scored. [August 20 vs. Corpus Christi] It may not have been glamorous, but Wichita won when Mitch Maier scored from third base on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning, which gave the Wranglers a narrow 4-3 win.

Player Notes:

Dee Brown had at least two hits in every game last week. The outfielder drove in six runs and scored seven over that span. On his current 10-game hitting streak, he has raised his average from .289 to .315.

The Wranglers ended a 17-game, 19-day road trip on Monday the 17th. Over that span they went an impressive 11-6 and scored 131 runs. The road trip was necessary because Lawrence-Dumont Stadium was hosting the annual National Baseball Congress World Series.

Billy Butler left Wichita following the game on August 15 to join the U.S. National Team for Olympic qualifying, taking place in Cuba. Butler was one of the top hitters this season, posting a League best .331 batting average to go with 96 RBI, 92 runs scored and 15 home runs.

Pitcher Mike Wood is with Wichita on a Major League rehab assignment. He tossed two scoreless innings on August 15, and allowed four runs (three earned) over two innings on August 18. He had been out since July 3 with back inflammation.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Brian Stavisky, Midland RockHounds

13-34, .382 BA, .706 SLG, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 9 R

Brian Stavisky was arguably the most productive hitter in the Texas League this week, smashing three home runs and driving in 12 runs. His hot streak extends further than just this week, too. He has a 14-game hitting streak during which he has driven in 17 runs. He also has an RBI in nine of his last 10 games and a run scored in each of his last six. During the hitting streak he has also has draw 11 walks and struck out just seven times. In his last game of the week he went 4-for-6 with three RBI.

Stavisky was signed in the sixth round of the 2006 draft out of Notre Dame and has hit well ever since. The outfielder batted .294 in Vancouver the year he was drafted. In his first full season, Kane County of the Midwest League in 2003, he batted just .266, but had an OBP of .396 due to 62 walks. 2004 he broke out for Modesto, slugging 19 home runs, hitting .343 and driving in 83 runs. He continued at his torrid pace in Midland last year, recording a career high of 88 RBI. Although struggling in Triple-A Sacramento to start the season, Stavisky seems to have gotten back in the groove in the Texas League.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Marc Kaiser, Tulsa Drillers

2-0, 1.79 ERA, 15 2/3 IP, 12 H, 3 BB, 3 K

On August 20th, his second start of the week, Marc Kaiser tossed a complete game shutout against San Antonio. While that alone may have been enough to get him Pitcher of the Week honors, he recorded another win on August 15, limiting a potent Corpus Christi offense to just three runs in 6 2/3 innings. In his shutout, Kaiser allowed just five hits and a pair of walks with no extra-base hits. The only hint of trouble he had was in the final inning when two Missions reached base with two outs. He induced a groundout to end the game.

Kaiser was drafted in the 10th round of the 2003 draft by the Rockies. He tossed 37 innings in the Northwest league that year and gave up just two earned runs in seven starts. The Reno, Nevada native posted a 10-10 record with a 4.33 ERA in the Sally League in 2004. Last year for Modesto of the California League he went 7-6 with a 4.45 ERA. Kaiser has found himself on perhaps the best starting rotation in the Texas League, and has performed very well in his starting role. It is his second weekly award of the season, having won for the first time on June 12 - June 18, when he tossed his first complete game against Springfield.

Alumni Report (through 8/20)

Brett Butler (Arkansas '99) has hit .343 in his last nine games for Durham with five RBI. Teammate J.P. Howell has won his last two starts with the Bulls, and is now 5-2 with a 1.92 ERA for them.

Norris Hopper (Wichita '03 - '04), who has hit .371 in his last nine games for Louisville, was called up to Cincinnati on August 20. He led the International League with a .349 batting average.

Carlos Pena (Tulsa '00), who had played for Yankees affiliate Colombus last week, signed with Pawtucket this week, a Boston Red Sox affiliate. He had asked for his released from the Yankees so he could sign with the Sox. In his first three games with the PawSox he his .400 with a homer and two doubles.

Ryan Ludwick (Midland '01) has hit .342 in his last nine games with two homers and six RBI for Toledo. After his four home run game on August 7, Alexis Gomez (Wichita '01-'02) has cooled off a bit, but has still driven in seven runs in his last 10 games for the Mud Hens. Of his 10 home runs this saeson, seven have come in the last 13 games.

Mike Kinkade (El Paso '97) was selected to represent the United States in the Olympic qualifying tournament from August 25 - September 5. So was Jeff Farnsforth (San Antonio '01), who was playing with Charlotte. Tacoma Ranier frist baseman Bryan Lahair (San Antonio '06) will also join them.

Jeff Baker (Tulsa '04) has hit .366 in his last 10 games with eight RBI and eight runs scored for Colorado Springs. Teammate Mike Venefro (Tulsa '97-'98), who joined the Sky Sox in late July, has given up just one run in his last eight appearances.

"I like what I see in [Denny] Bautista. He has a good arm. I'm sure he'll figure into the Rockies' plans at some point." Sky Sox manager Tom Runnells said to the Colorado Springs Gazette about Denny Bautista (Wichita '04). He came to Colorado Springs from Kansas City after being traded on July 31.

Mike Rose (Jackson '99, El Paso '00-'01, Wichita '02) as been hot lately, hitting .371 with three homers and eight RBI in his last 10 games.

Andrew Beattie (Midland '05) has hit .366 in his last 10 games with 10 RBI for Nashville.

Andrew Good (E Paso '01-'02, '04) has rebounded since dropping his first five decisions. Since then he has gone 8-3 with a 3.86 ERA for New Orleans.

Adam Hydzu (Shreveport '93) has hit .355 in his last 10 games with six RBI and seven runs scored for Oklahoma.

Justin Huber (Wichita '05) has batted .343 with eight RBI for Omaha in his last 10 games. Teammate Kerry Robinson (Arkansas '97) has batted .355 in his last even games with five RBI and five runs scored.

Ruben Rivera has batted .375 in his last 10 games with four homers, six RBI and six runs scored for Charlotte.

Joe McEwing (Arkansas '95-'98) has hit .344 in his last eight games with three homers, three RBI and seven runs scored for Round Rock. Teammate J.R. House (Corpus Christi '06), who has hit .439 with three homers and 26 RBI in his first 22 games since joining the Express from Corpus Christi, was called up to Houston on August 20.

"[Joe McEwing] is a big man on certain pitches. It was his show tonight." Round Rock manager Jackie Moore on McEwing, who slugged two homers on August 16. Now with 10 round-trippers, was the first time he has hit double-digit homers for one team in his 15-year career. His previous high was nine with Arkansas in 1998 and for St. Louis in 1999. The super-sub did hit a combined 15 home runs in 1998 as he added six more after his promotion to Memphis.

Mike Eylward (Arkansas '04-'06) has hit .351 in his last 10 games with eight RBI and nine runs scored for Salt Lake. Jason Aspito (Arkansas '04-'06) has hit .391 in his last eight games with eight RBI.

T.J. Bohn (San Antonio '04 - '05) has hit .316 in his last 10 games for Tacoma. Teammate Mike Morse (San Antonio '04) has batter .343 in five games since he was reassigned from Seattle on August 17.

Roberto Pentagine (Jackson '92-'93) asked for his release from Tacoma on August 17. Thomas Oldham (San Antonio '05) retired this week due to arm problems.

Jon Weber (Midland '04) has hit .462 in his last 10 games with five RBI for Tucson.

This Week in Texas League History

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.

August 22, 1910 Fort Worth's Reeves McKay held Oklahoma City hitless for seven innings, on the way to a one-hit, 5-0 win over the Indians. The only hit McKay allowed came in the eighth inning when "Clifton, the Boy Catcher, bumped the ball over shortfield for a one-base trip." McKay's one-hitter came one day after Panthers hurler Bill Lattimore had no-hit the Indians, giving the Oklahoma City club a total of one hit in the last two games.

August 23, 1926 Waco smacked 19 hits as they spanked San Antonio 19-8. Waco's player-manager Del Pratt sparked the Cubs offense with a 4-for-6 effort at the plate, scoring five times. In a losing cause, San Antonio's Joe Rabbitt did his best for his club, going a perfect 5-for-5.

August 24, 1994 After having been limited to a total of 20 hits in the first four games of a series at Wichita, El Paso exploded for 20 hits in the finale of the five-game set, cruising to a 10-4 win over the Wranglers. Rooney Lofton was the most productive El Paso batter as he was 5-for-6, with a pair of doubles and three RBI.

August 25, 1960 Rio Grande Valley cruised to a 9-1 win at San Antonio behind the hitting of Larry Stubing and the pitching of Ron Herbal. Stubing paced the offense with a perfect 5-for-5 effort, which included a two-run double in the first inning. Herbal upped his record to 15-1 as he scattered just three hits, while walking four and striking out eight in the complete game win.

August 26, 1949 On the way to a 16-8 win over Houston, Oklahoma jumped out to a 14-0 lead when thy scored four runs in the first inning, then 10 more in the second. Grant Dunlap and Randy Jackson both had three-run homers in the big second inning. Dunlap had six RBI in the game as he went 4-for-5, adding a double and two singles to his homer.

August 27, 1955 Willard "Home Run" Brown was a perfect 5-for-5 and Bob Boyd 4-for-5 as they led a 17-hit Houston attack in the Buffs' 10-2 win at San Antonio.

August 28, 1964 Julius "Swampfire" Grant picked up a 1-0 win for Austin over Fort Worth in just his second Texas League game. Grant, the brother of major league hurler Jim "Mudcat" Grant, had bee obtained by the Senators from Monterrey in the Mexican League, where he had been 13-5. The win would be only one for Grant in the regular season. He finished the season with a 1-1 record and 2.10 ERA over 30 innings pitched.

Texas League Stories from August 21, 2006

• Drillers on other end of shut out - Tulsa Drillers
• Houston Adds House to 40-Man - Corpus Christi Hooks
• Final Homestand Begins Tuesday - Corpus Christi Hooks
• Texas League update - TL1
• Wranglers Playoff Tickets On-Sale Tuesday - Wichita Wranglers

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