Turnaround X 2
April 28, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Midland RockHounds Pitcher Joel Seddon
(Midland RockHounds, Credit: Alan Jamison)
Two innings into their series at Corpus Christi, the RockHounds had lost three straight games and trailed the Hooks, 7-0.
Thirty innings later, a span in which they have outscored the Hooks, 13-1, the 'Hounds have won three straight games at Corpus Christi.
Three appearances into his first Double-A season, Wednesday night's starter, Joel Seddon, was 0-2 with a 17.69 earned run average. After pitching into the sixth inning and allowing just one run on three hits, Seddon's "turnaround" saw him earn the win in a 3-1 'Hounds victory.
Seddon's outstanding start was backed by Corey Walter's "throwback save." Walter entered the game with a 2-1 lead in the sixth, with two on and two out. He retired 10 consecutive batters, going 3.1 perfect innings for his first save at the Double-A level. When Walter slammed the door in the ninth, it marked a stretch in which RockHounds pitching has allowed one run in the last 30 innings of the series.
J.P. Sportman doubled in the fifth and scored on Jaycob Brugman's two-out single to center. Brugman advanced to second on the throw home (a very close play at the plate), then went to third on a wild pitch. When Juan Santos' 3-2 delivery to Ryon Healy bounded away, Brugman broke for home, scoring what would be the game-winning run. Â The 'Hounds added an insurance run on Sportman's leadoff walk in the ninth, which was followed by a Franklin Barreto single and a costly throwing error by catcher Alfredo Gonzalez which allowed Sportman to score.
Both clubs "slapped leather" (good defense), with third baseman Matt Chapman and Sportman making outstanding plays for the RockHounds and first baseman Viosergy Rosa playing a tremendous game, with as many as a half dozen terrific efforts. The Hooks' Danry Vasquez had an ESPN-worthy effort at the wall in left field, taking a potential two-run double away from Yairo Munoz to end the top of the eighth.
The RockHounds
... are 11-8 (5-1 at Security Bank Ballpark and 6-7 on the road) ... have won three straight ... are 4-3 on the current (eight-game) road trip.
... remain second in the Texas League South, 3.5 games behind Frisco (14-4) and 1.5 games ahead of Corpus Christi.
... conclude their eight-game road trip on Thursday at Corpus Christi versus the Hooks (7:05 p.m. first pitch).
... return to Security Bank Ballpark this Friday (April 29) to open an eight-game homestand, facing division rivals San Antonio & Corpus Christi.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT OF THE DAY / BASEBALL "LIFE AIN'T FAIR" DEPARTMENT Pitcher Sam Bragg has been placed on the disabled list as the result of a right hip strain suffered on the last pitch he threw Monday night (the second of two scoreless innings). After struggling in two "tandem" starts (a 29.08 ERA), Bragg had thrown four scoreless innings, allowing no hits and one walk while striking out seven out of the RockHounds' bullpen.
BEYOND THE DIAMOND Â
We thank the Corpus Christi Hooks for providing a moment of silence in memory of Sean Murphy before Wednesday night's game. Sean passed away, at age 27, Monday. In the past week, Beau Taylor and J.P. Sportman have also suffered personal losses with the passing of their grandmothers. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Beau, J.P. and their families as well as Sean's family and friends.
ROSTER MOVES Â
- Infielder Yairo Munoz has been assigned to the RockHounds from extended spring training and made his "official" Double-A debut Wednesday. Rated Oakland's # 10 prospect by Baseball America and # 7 by MLB.com, Munoz split last season between (Single-A) Beloit and (Advanced-A) Stockton before finishing the season with the RockHounds in the Texas League playoffs (following the injury to Chad Pinder).
- Catcher Carson Blair (left oblique strain) has also been placed on the disabled list. Blair, coming off a 2015 season in which he received a September call-up to Oakland, was hitting .333 in 10 games (11-for-33) with seven RBI.
Images from this story
 Midland RockHounds Pitcher Joel Seddon (Alan Jamison) |
Texas League Stories from April 28, 2016
- Calixte Delivers in 10th to Split Series with Springfield - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Riders Game Notes - 7:05 p.m. vs. San Antonio Missions - April 28, 2016 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Turnaround X 2 - Midland RockHounds
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