The Great Escape(s); 'Hounds Win in Extras
July 30, 2021 - Texas League (TL)
Midland RockHounds News Release
A glance at Friday night's Double-A Central scoreboard shows that the RockHounds rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the first inning to defeat the Tulsa Drillers, 4-3, at ONEOK Field. But ... the 'Hounds pulled not one, but two "great escapes" to seal the deal.
With the game tied, 3-3, in the last of the ninth, the Drillers loaded the bases with one out against reliever Jack Weisenburger. With the winning run 90 feet from home plate, Weisenburger struck out Stevie Berman looking and Jacob Amaya on a checked-swing (with a nasty slider) to send the game into extra innings.
The RockHounds scored on a ground out in the top of the tenth. Chase Calabuig's leadoff single pushed designated (and pinch) runner Max Schuemann to third and Jhonny Santos sent a sharp ground ball down the left field line. Tulsa third baseman Miguel Vargas robbed Santos of an extra-base hit, but Schuemann came home with the go-ahead run.
A wild pitch from Weisenburger put the tying run at third base ... with no outs ... in the last of the tenth. The right-hander then got a ground and a strikeout before walking two batters and, again, the Drillers had the bases loaded.
Manager Bobby Crosby summoned Zack Erwin from the bullpen and the left-hander retired pinch-hitter Clayton Daniel on a ground ball to first with Erwin covering the bag (see "Kibbles & Bits," below). It was Erwin's second save in as many nights as the RockHounds evened the series, 2-2.
Tulsa erased a 1-0 deficit, scoring three runs in the last of the first inning, but the RockHounds came back to tie the game on solo home runs from Calabuig (in the fifth) and Santos (in the eighth).
Kibbles & Bits
Jhonny Santos extended his hit streak to five games and continued to produce runs at a high level for the RockHounds. In the five-gamer, he is 8-for-23 (.348) with two doubles, two home runs and five RBI. Jhonny has seven home runs and 30 RBI for the season ... with five of the HR and 21 of the 30 ribbies coming in his last 17 games.
The MiLB-TV broadcast of the game captured a terrific moment. The final out of the game (with the bases loaded and the tying run at third) came on a soft grounder to first base. Kyle McCann made the play, tossing to pitcher Zack Erwin, covering the bag. Zack not only handled Kyle's toss ... he caught it bare-handed on the run. The Tulsa TV crew caught a whole BUNCH of smiles (and perhaps a sigh of relief or two) after Zack's bare-handed ... and game-ending ... grab.
Next Game
Saturday, July 31 vs. Tulsa Drillers
ONEOK Field Tulsa, Oklahoma
First pitch 7:05 p.m.
Fifth of a six-game series and of a 12-game road trip
Probable Starters
TUL Michael Grove (RH, 0-4, 10.07)
RH Brady Feigl (RH, 6-6, 4.36)
Road Trip
July 31-August 1 vs. the Tulsa Drillers at ONE Field (Tulsa, OK)
August 3-8 vs. the Wichita Wind Surge at Riverfront Stadium (Wichita, KS)
Back at Rocky Town: Tuesday, August 10
A 12-game homestand, hosting the San Antonio Missions (August 10-15) and Amarillo Sod Poodles (August 17-22)
Texas League Stories from July 30, 2021
- After Two Blown Saves, Missions Beat Amarillo in 11 InningsÃâà- San Antonio Missions
- The Great Escape(s); 'Hounds Win in Extras - Midland RockHounds
- Drillers Fall Victim to Another Late Rally - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Mash Three More Homers in 9-1 Win over Wichita - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Baker Homers Twice in 7-5 Cardinals Loss to Travelers - Springfield Cardinals
- Travs Win 5th in a Row - Arkansas Travelers
- Surge Fall Second for Straight Time to Naturals - Wichita Wind Surge
- Pitching, Stowers Power Riders in Victory over Hooks - Frisco RoughRiders
- Riders Overpower Hooks for 5-4 Loss - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Tulsa Turnaround; 'Hounds Win, 8-5 - Midland RockHounds
- Cox Deals Six Shutout Innings and Offense Explodes in 12-1 Win over Wichita - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Travs Smash Five Homers, Drop 11 Runs on Cardinals - Arkansas Travelers
- Missions Score 10 Runs, Collect 16 Hits in Thursday Night VictoryÃâà- San Antonio Missions
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