The Cowardly Lion Put It Perfectly
Published on July 8, 2016 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
As Dorothy and her cohorts were making their way toward the Emerald City, the Wicked Witch of the West slowed their progress by casting a spell over a field of poppies, causing Dorothy & Company to fall fast asleep. Glinda (she was the good witch) came to the rescue with a dusting of snow on the field to overcome the spell. The Cowardly Lion, upon waking, looked at the falling snowflakes and made this observation - - "peculiar weather we're havin', ain't it." No wicked witches in sight, but we're having the same issues here, pal.
As was the case on Wednesday, a triple-digit, blue sky day turned into a wind, thunder and lightning storm-filled night. The game was interrupted both nights and, in each case, the team that was leading when Ma Nature intervened went on to win. The RockHounds led, 4-0, in the eighth on Wednesday and went on to a 5-0 victory after a 40-minute interruption. The Naturals broke a 1-1 tie with a three-run rally in the fifth inning Thursday night, and (after a one hour, 42-minute weather detour) maintained the three-run margin, winning by a final score of 6-3.
Raul Mondesi's squeeze bunt single broke the 1-1 tie in the fifth, with a lightning-laced storm brewing as a backdrop, and Frank Schwindel's two-out, two-run single capped the three-run rally and solidified the Naturals' lead.
Mondesi, rated the Kansas City Royals' top prospect, went 1-for-1 with the RBI bunt single, walked twice, scored twice and stole two bases to lead Northwest Arkansas. Schwindel had three RBI and Carlos Garcia went 2-for-3 and scored three runs. Eric Skoglund pitched the first five innings (one run on four hits, no walks and six strikeouts) for the win.
The RockHounds
... are 10-4 in the second half and 43-41 overall ... have won seven of their last nine games and 10-of-13 ... are 22-21 at Security Bank Ballpark and 21-20 on the road ... are 7-4 versus Northwest Arkansas (see below), 6-3 at Arvest Ballpark and 4-1 at Rocky Town vs. the Naturals ... saw their lead shrink by a game across the board as the other three South Division clubs posted wins in North vs. South play ... the 'Hounds lead Corpus Christi (8-6) by two games, San Antonio (5-9) by five and Frisco (4-10) by six in the second half race ... are 18-14 vs. the North.
... continue their homestand at Security Bank Ballpark, hosting Northwest Arkansas Friday night with postgame fireworks (first pitch at 7:00 p.m.) Friday and Saturday nights continue our "Military Appreciation Weekend," with postgame fireworks scheduled both nights. The 'Hounds face the Naturals Friday, with Saturday's game opening a three-game set versus the Arkansas Travelers. The homestand concludes with a Sunday matinee at 2:00 p.m. and Monday evening's finale at 6:30 p.m. For ticket and team information (tickets may be purchased online), visit the 'Hounds web site at midlandrockhounds.org.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT of the DAY: The Naturals broke a seven-game losing streak in the season series with the RockHounds. Northwest Arkansas swept the first series between the clubs this season (April 10-12 in Springdale), but the 'Hounds captured the next seven, including sweeps at Security Bank Ballpark (April 17-19) and Arvest Ballpark (June 30-July 2) and Wednesday night's series opener at home.
- West Texas native Reid Redman made his first appearance of the season for the Naturals. Born in Lubbock, Reid grew up in Midland, graduating from Midland Christian High School and playing two seasons at Midland College before finishing his collegiate career at Texas Tech (his dad, Dale, was the 2015 winner of our franchise's Scott Seator Community Achievement Award). Drafted by Tampa Bay as a position player out of Tech, Reid later converted to the mound and was acquired via trade by Kansas City. He has shown great promise as a pitcher, but was sidelined in May 2015 and would undergo subsequent Tommy John surgery (Thursday night's appearance was his seventh overall this season since coming back from the surgery). We wish Reid all the best and great success the rest of the season.
- Yairo Munoz went 3-for-4 with an RBI for the RockHounds, while Franklin Barreto (0-for-4) saw a six-game hit streak come to an end. Despite Thursday's "ohfer," the A's top prospect is hitting .300 (6-for-20) in his last seven games and .292 (19-for-65) over his last 18. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
Texas League Stories from July 8, 2016
- Travs Take Series with 42 Hits in Three Games - Arkansas Travelers
- Cardinals Set Team Record with Seven Home Runs in 14-5 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Riders Hang with Travs Early, But Get Outslugged in Series Finale - Frisco RoughRiders
- Resilient Missions Top Drillers Again - Tulsa Drillers
- Junis Pitches Naturals to Series Win in 5-3 Triumph - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Riders to Assist Families of Victims of Dallas Tragedy - Frisco RoughRiders
- The Cowardly Lion Put It Perfectly - Midland RockHounds
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.
