Turning the Bay into a Wade-Ing Pool
Published on August 10, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Wade Kirkland of the Midland RockHounds
(Midland RockHounds, Credit: Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds)
The RockHounds defeated the Corpus Christi Hooks, 8-3, Sunday evening, powered by an "unusual suspect" - - - Wade Kirkland.
The 'Hounds utility infielder went 3-for-4, capped by a three-run home run that broke the game open in the top of the ninth. The homer came off Vince Velasquez, who has pitched in nine games with the Houston Astros in 2015.
The game was played in two "chapters," with the Hooks taking a 1-0 lead into the seventh on six shutout innings from starter Michael Feliz. The game's only run to that point came on Roberto Pena's bases-loaded walk in the second inning. RockHounds starter Dillon Overton went five innings, allowing one run on five hits.
The RockHounds broke through against the Corpus Christi bullpen, taking the lead in the seventh on RBI's from Bruce Maxwell (double) and Jaycob Brugman (single). The Hooks answered in the home half of the stretch inning, tying the game (2-2) on an unearned run.
Before hitting the three-run home run in the ninth, Kirkland set up a two-run rally with a perfectly-executed sacrifice bunt in the seventh and his RBI single in the eighth broke a 2-2 tie, giving the RockHounds a lead they would not relinquish. Against Velasquez in the ninth, Anthony Aliotti doubled and was at second base with two out. Maxwell drew an eight-pitch walk and Kirkland sent the next pitch out to left field.
Both clubs missed scoring chances throughout the game, stranding two dozen base runners (the 'Hounds left 13 men on and the Hooks 11).
The RockHounds
... are 29-15 in the second half and 64-50 overall (a new season high at 14 games over .500) ... won the (four-game) series over Corpus Christi three-games-to-one ... are 12-16 in the season series with the Hooks (5-7 at home and finished the regular season 7-9 at Whataburger Field) ... are 36-21 at Security Bank Ballpark and 28-29 on the road ... are 45-33 vs. the South Division and 19-17 vs. the North.
- Texas League South: The RockHounds' lead over Corpus Christi (24-20) is up to five games, with Frisco (20-23) 8.5 games back and the San Antonio Missions (18-26) trail by 11 games.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT OF THE DAY: Twenty-six. Sunday's game marked the end of a 26 games in 26 days stretch for the Texas League. With cross-division play covering the next 12 games, the league's eight clubs will now have three consecutive Mondays as off / travel days. The RockHounds will open the North vs. South section of the schedule with a six-game home stand (see below).
In the 26-game stretch, the RockHounds went 18-8 and have opened a five-game lead in the second half race. On July 23, the RockHounds trailed Frisco by a half-game (with Corpus Christi third in the race). With 26 games remaining following the one-day break (August 10), the lead over the RoughRiders is now 8.5 games. In a potential wild card race (should the Hooks win the second half), the 'Hounds now lead Frisco by 14.5 games.
- Chad Pinder (1-for-6, RBI) extended his hit streak to 13 games (20-for-58, .345) and has hit in 31 of his last 32 games (51-140, .364).
- Ryon Healy (1-for-5, double) extended his hit streak to 10 games (18-for-41, .439) ... is hitting .400 (42-for-105) in his last 27 games.
- Jaycob Brugman, batting in the leadoff spot with Chad Oberacker sidelined (abdominal), has reached base in six straight games. In that time, Jaycob is 6-for-21 (.286) but has also drawn 10 walks (with one strikeout) for a .516 on-base percentage.
Images from this story
 Wade Kirkland of the Midland RockHounds (Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds) |
Texas League Stories from August 10, 2015
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- Alberth Martinez Named TL Player of the Week for August 3-9 - San Antonio Missions
- Brews, Blasts & Backpacks- Riders Begin Six-Game Homestand - Frisco RoughRiders
- Feliz Texas League Pitcher of the Week - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs vs. Hooks/Missions: Six Games Start Tuesday - Arkansas Travelers
- Homestand Highlights: August 11 - August 16 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Turning the Bay into a Wade-Ing Pool - Midland RockHounds
- RockHounds Pull Away - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Drillers Fall to Naturals 8-1 - Tulsa Drillers
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