TL1 Midland RockHounds

(This Time) Numbers Don't Lie

September 2, 2015 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release


There was no cork-popping or drenching with champagne (etc.), but the RockHounds made more history Tuesday night at San Antonio with their 4-2 over the Missions in the opening game of the regular season's final road trip.

The win pushed the RockHounds record to 44-20, clinching the best half-season mark in franchise history and the second-best overall season record in the 44 years of the Cubs, Angels & RockHounds. (see "Stat of the Day," below).

The RockHounds broke a 2-2 tie in the seventh inning, a run produced by two of the key "veteran" (in the perspective of Double-A baseball) members of the club. Chad Oberacker sent a one-out double into the right-field corner and stole third base, still with one out. Colin Walsh then sent a single up the middle, past a drawn-in infield, bringing home what would be the game-winning run. Before his key double, "Obie" opened the game with a sensational, diving catch (fully airborne) in right-center, robbing Auston Bousfield of extra bases in the last of the first inning. In his first plate appearance of the game, Walsh extended his (personal) season-high on-base streak to 24 games.

Each batter in the RockHounds line-up had at least one base hit, with Oberacker, Beau Taylor and Wade Kirkland each contributing two, and Taylor driving in two runs.

While he didn't figure in the decision, starter Dillon Overton went 4.2 shutout innings, allowing four hits and one walk and seven strikeouts (his season high with the RockHounds). Andres Avila earned the win in relief, with Tucker Healy (hold) and Seth Frankoff (save) pitching out of jams in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, to close the game.

The RockHounds

... are 44-20 in the second half and 79-55 overall (matching their season-high at 24 games over .500) ... won the opener of a seven-game road trip (four at San Antonio and three at Frisco) to close the regular season ... have won 10 of their last 13 games ... are 33-13 in their last 45 games (a .717 winning percentage dating back to the start of the 26 games in 26 days in mid-July) ... lead the season series with San Antonio, 19-10 (finishing 11-5 at home and 8-5 at Nelson Wolff Stadium) ... finished the regular season with the league's best home record, going 45-25 at Security Bank Ballpark ... are 34-30 on the road (a season-high four over .500)... are 50-36 vs. the South Division and 29-19 vs. the North.

Kibbles & Bits

STAT OF THE DAY: Tuesday night's win clinches the best half-season record in franchise history. With six games to play, the 2015 RockHounds are 44-20, eclipsing the 43-27 mark set by the '01 RockHounds. The Texas League began utilizing the half-season format in 1977, making 2015 the 39th such season and making 2015's second half the best of 78.

The RockHounds also clinched the second-best overall record in the franchise's 44 seasons. While the 1975 Cubs' mark of 81-53 (.604) is out of reach, the RockHounds (even if they were to lose their last six) will finish with a winning percentage of no worse than .564, better than the 1979 Cubs (76-59, .563).

- Jaycob Brugman has hit in eight straight games (14-for-30, .467) ... and is hitting .556 (10-for-18) with eight RBI in his last five games.

- Colin Walsh extended his (personal) season high on-base streak to 24 games. In his last four games, Walsh is 1-for-9 (the hit was Tuesday's game-winning RBI) with a .556 on-base percentage (he has reached base in 10-of-18 trips to the plate, walking nine times).

- Anthony Aliotti has hit in 10 straight games (13-for-40, .325) and has reached base in 18 straight (.320).

Check out the Midland RockHounds Statistics



Texas League Stories from September 2, 2015


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