Travs Sweep RockHounds
Published on July 3, 2014 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
The RockHounds defense has improved noticeably of late, but four errant throws ... two pitches and two throwing errors ... sent the club to its fifth consecutive loss Monday night at Security Bank Ballpark.
In the Arkansas' third, RockHounds starter Drew Granier brushed Eric Stamets with a 1-2 pitch. Kyle Hudson bunted, but Granier's throw was low, leaving Hudson safe at first with Stamets moving to third. Maikol Gonzalez, who had the game-winning single Sunday, doubled down the left field line, scoring Stamets. Kaleb Cowart followed with a two-run single, and the Travs had a 3-0 lead.
In the fifth, Addison Russell's throwing error on Hudson's chopper to short led to the fourth Arkansas run (and second unearned run). Hudson hustled to second on the wide throw, and advanced to third on Gonzalez' sharp grounder to first, a ball on which first baseman Max Muncy made a tremendous play to take extra bases away from Gonzalez. Moments later, Hudson scored on a wild pitch. So the hit batsman, two errors and wild pitch ... four "wide ones" ... were key in Arkansas taking a 4-0 lead.
The 'Hounds battled back in the seventh, with Chad Oberacker drawing a walk and Blake Forsythe singling to left. Conner Crumbliss followed with a two-run triple down the right field line and then scored on a Billy Burns ground out.
Jairo Diaz dodged a threat in the eighth, walking Hiro Nakajima, with Dusty Coleman then sacrificing pinch-runner D'Arby Myers to second. Diaz, though, got Oberacker to fly out to left, and Cam Bedrosian (who has spent three weeks in the Major Leagues with the Angels this month) retired the side in order in the ninth for this 10th save in 11 opportunities for the Travs.
The win was Arkansas' fifth-in-a-row (all on the road) while the Ro=C2 - =C2 - ckHounds fell for the fifth straight time at Security Bank Ballpark after winning the opener of the six-game home stand.
WP:Nate Smith (4-1, 3.10)
LP:Drew Granier (4-4, 3.31)
SV:Cam Bedrosian (10, 1.61)
Kibbles & Bits
- After sweeping a double-header at Springfield, Missouri, the San Antonio Missions (8-4) now lead the RockHounds and Frisco (both 5-6) by two-and-a-half games in the Texas League South.
- Arkansas, after finishing 5-1 on its six-game road trip (Frisco and the RockHounds), now leads the North Division by two games over second-place Northwest Arkansas. The Travelers continue to live up to their nickname, improving to 25-17 on the road, compared to 17-23 at home.
- Kaleb Cowart's track record versus the RockHounds is remarkable. The third baseman, rated the Los Angeles Angels' # 3 prospect, had two hits and two RBI Monday. He is now hitting .452 (14-for-31) against the 'Hounds, compared to .194 against the rest of the league. Cowart has nine of his 37 RBI ... and seven of his 17 steals ... in just nine games against the RockHounds.
- Reliever Murphy Smith was a bright spot for the RockHounds. In his first seven appearances this season, the two-time Texas League Midseason All-Star posted a 0.42 earned run average, but had an ERA of 7.25 in his last 10 outings. "Murph" returned to form, going four strong innings, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks with four strikeouts.
- Tuesday is a league-wide off (and travel) day, with the RockHounds then opening a six-game road trip. The swing begins with a three-game series against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, the Fourth of July) at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Arkansas. The 'Hounds then meet the Travelers in North Little Rock, Arkansas in a three-game set Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
- The RockHounds are back home July 9-12, hosting division rival (and current South Division leader) San Antonio.
Next Game
vs. NW Arkansas Naturals (Los Angeles Angels' AA Affiliate)
Wednesday, July 2 - 7:05 p.m. (Radio at 7:00 p.m.)
Arvest Ballpark - Springdale, C2
Probable Starters
RockHounds: Shawn Haviland (RH, 4-5, 3.29)
NW Arkansas: Andy Ferguson (RH, 6-6, 3.40)
Texas League Stories from July 3, 2014
- Las Vegas Boys Go Long for the Win - Frisco RoughRiders
- Hooks Drop Cardinals Again - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Corpus Hooks 4-2 Win against the Cards - Springfield Cardinals
- Gallo, Cabrera Lead Frisco Past Travs - Arkansas Travelers
- Naturals Loss Sets Up July 4 Rubber Match - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- San Antonio Missions Game Notes: July 3 vs. Tulsa (7:05 PM CST) - San Antonio Missions
- BIG Country Bash to Feature Canaan Smith on August 9 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Frisco RoughRiders Game Notes - Frisco RoughRiders
- RockHounds Slide Continues - Midland RockHounds
- Travs Sweep RockHounds - Midland RockHounds
- Missions Hold off Drillers in Opener - San Antonio Missions
- Lane Adams Delivers Walk-Off Single - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Frisco Ends Travs' Win Streak at Five - Arkansas Travelers
- RoughRiders Travel Well, Beat Arkansas - Frisco RoughRiders
- Corpus Christi Clips Cardinals - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Hooks Escape with 3-2 Win in Series Opener - Springfield Cardinals
- San Antonio Stays Hot with 4-3 Win over Tulsa - San Antonio Missions
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