The 500-Pound Gorilla Is (Nate) Long Gone
Published on June 14, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Midland RockHounds Pitcher Nate Long
(Midland RockHounds, Credit: Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds)
Without Nate Long, the RockHounds would not be the defending Texas League champions. And, without him there might still be a 500-pound gorilla (in the form of a significant losing streak) in the RockHounds' clubhouse.
In 2014, and again this season, Nate moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation in mid-April to fill a gap created by injuries. And, as he did a year ago in leading the club to a league championship (going 13-8, 3.18), the (now) 29-year-old right-hander has been the foundation of the rotation and is the club's stopper in 2015.
Nate pitched seven-and-two-thirds scoreless innings, and was backed by solid offense up-and-down the order, as the RockHounds broke an eight-game slide with an 8-0 win over Frisco Sunday evening at Security Bank Ballpark. The 'Hounds also "returned the favor" for a Saturday night shutout at the hands of the RoughRiders.
Long, who entered the game third in the Texas League with a 2.83 ERA, loaded the bases with two out in the second and again in the eighth. Jaycob Brugman hauled in Nick Williams' fly ball in foul ground to end the first threat, and Tucker Healy came on in relief, striking out Trever Adams, to end the eighth.
Renato Nuñez, Matt Olson and Chad Oberacker led a deep and balanced attack at the plate. Nuñez finished 3-for-5, including with a towering, two-run home run in the first and an RBI double in the sixth. Olson was perfect at the dish, going 1-for-1 with four walks (pushing his league-leading total to 59) and two RBI. "Obie" busted out of a recent slump, going 3-for-4 with a double and a triple, scoring four times.
Brugman and Josh Whitaker each added a pair of hits and both were outstanding defensively. Whitaker made a tremendous, sliding grab on a foul ball down the line in the third and a running catch deep in the corner, again in foul territory, in the seventh. Brugman reached into the first row of seats while banging into the railing down the left field side to make a terrific catch in the sixth.
The RockHounds (30-32) snapped their eight-game slide, and broke Frisco's (27-35) four-game win streak in the process.
The RockHounds
... are now 30-32 for the season (after reaching a season-best five games over .500 at 29-24) ... broke an eight-game losing streak and a six-game slide at Security Bank Ballpark ... posted their sixth shutout win of the season (the club is 6-6 in shutout games) ... improved to 7-3 versus the Frisco RoughRiders (5-1 at Security Bank Ballpark and 2-2 at Dr Pepper Ballpark) ... are 19-15 at Security Bank Ballpark and 11-17 on the road ... are 18-20 in South Division play and finished first half cross-division play 12-12 versus the North.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT of the DAY: It was notable that (former RockHound) Sonny Gray and Nate Long each led his club to a victory Sunday and, coincidentally, each pitched seven-and-two-thirds innings in their respective wins. Sonny led the A's to a 7-1 win over the Angels, and is now 8-3, with a 1.60 ERA. In games in which he doesn't have a decision, Oakland is 18-36. Nate's numbers aren't as overwhelming, but he has been the heart and soul of the rotation for the 'Hounds ... again ... in 2015.
- Renato Nuñez has hit in 9-of-his-last-11 games, batting .361 (13-36) in that stretch, with five home runs and 12 RBI.
- One night after taking a collar (and a "hat trick" with three strikeouts), Matt Olson reached base in each his five plate appearances. His unusual hitting line read "1-for-1," with an RBI single and four walks (one them coming with the bases loaded). His 58 walks are 13 more than any other Texas League hitter, and his 32 RBI lead the RockHounds and rank among the league's top 10.
Images from this story
 Midland RockHounds Pitcher Nate Long (Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds) |
Texas League Stories from June 14, 2015
- The 500-Pound Gorilla Is (Nate) Long Gone - Midland RockHounds
- Nats Improve to 10-0 vs. Travs in '15 - Arkansas Travelers
- RockHounds' Bats Come Alive against Riders - Frisco RoughRiders
- Cardinals Defeat Drillers in Rain-Shortened Game - Tulsa Drillers
- Reyes and Cards One-Hit Drillers for 8-0 Win in 7 Innings - Springfield Cardinals
- Big Inning Helps Naturals Defeat Travelers - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Hooks and Missions Washed Out - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Sunday's Game Postponed Due to Rain - San Antonio Missions
- Pitching Helps Missions Stop Hooks in Opener - San Antonio Missions
- Drillers Walk-Off in 11th, Win 8-7 - Tulsa Drillers
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