Weather in Tulsa: Thunder & Lightning
Published on August 24, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Midland RockHounds Pitcher Parker Frazier
(Midland RockHounds, Credit: Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds)
Sunday at ONEOK Field in Tulsa, the RockHounds faced Los Angeles Dodgers top ten prospect Jose DeLeon. In his previous three starts, the right-hander had allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out 14 batters over a total of nine innings. Since the Dodgers are keeping close watch on his season innings total, each of the starts was kept short. He exited early on Sunday, too, but not by design.
De Leon struck out the game's first two batters and went 0-2 on Ryon Healy. The RockHounds third baseman then drove a 1-2 pitch to deep center for a double and Anthony Aliotti followed with a two-run home run to right-center field. Josh Whitaker's solo homer in the second hastened De Leon's departure (after two innings), but the 'Hounds were just getting started. Aliotti drew a leadoff walk in the third and Chad Pinder and Matt Olson went back-to-back, each with his 15th home run, pushing the lead to 6-0. Whitaker's two-run double capped a three-run fourth inning as the 'Hounds blew the game open, 9-0.
Tulsa native (and former Driller) Parker Frazier went seven strong innings, improving to 4-1 (with a 1.91 ERA) since joining the RockHounds. In addition to the offense, the 'Hounds backed the right-hander with errorless defense and three double plays.
After falling in the road trip opener at Springfield, the RockHounds have won five straight, including a sweep at Tulsa. The 'Hounds, who went 11-1 against the Drillers for the season, now return home for a critical series (and likely playoff preview) with the Corpus Christi Hooks.
The RockHounds
... are 39-17 in the second half and 74-52 overall (again setting a new season-high at 22 games over .500) ... finished 5-1 on their (six-game) road trip (2-1 at Springfield and 3-0 at Tulsa) ... have won five in a row ... seven of their last eight and 12-of-14 ... are 28-10 in their last 38 games (a .737 winning percentage) ... finished 11-1 versus Tulsa in 2015 (5-1 at Security Bank Ballpark an 6-0 at ONEOK Field) ... are 41-22 at Security Bank Ballpark and 33-30 on the road (a season-best three above .500) ... are 45-33 vs. the South Division and 29-19 vs. the North.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT OF THE DAY Colin Walsh has reached base in 16 straight games, going 18-for-58 (a .310 batting average with 22 walks and one HBP and a .506 on-base percentage). Dating back to May 4, Colin has now reached base (hit, walk, HBP) in 91 of his last 98 games. The numbers are now exact - - - since May 4, over 98 games, Colin has failed to reach base exactly once every two weeks (once every 14 games).
- Ryon Healy has hit in nine straight games (19-for-43, .442) and in 21 of his last 22 games (40-for-99, .404).
- Chad Pinder (13-for-35, .371 in his last seven games) drove in three runs and now leads the Texas League (by 15) with 86 RBI.
By the Numbers
Texas League South: The RockHounds, Corpus Christi and Frisco (with a six-run rally in the top of the ninth at Springfield) were all winners, while San Antonio became the first club in the South Division to be mathematically eliminated from the second half race. The Hounds lead the Hooks (31-25) by eight games ... Frisco (27-28) by 11.5 and San Antonio (24-32) by 15.
Magic numbers:
- Three (3) to clinch a playoff spot (eliminating Frisco) ... any combination of RockHounds wins and RoughRiders losses
- Seven (7) to clinch the second half pennant (over Corpus Christi) ... any combination of RockHounds wins and Hooks losses
The RockHounds have 14 games to play in the regular season: Frisco (six, three home and three road), Corpus Christi (four, home) and San Antonio (four, road).
Images from this story
 Midland RockHounds Pitcher Parker Frazier (Frank Longobardo / Midland RockHounds) |
Texas League Stories from August 24, 2015
- Ryon Healy Named Texas League Player of the Week - Midland RockHounds
- Travs Welcome Tulsa for 4 Games - Arkansas Travelers
- Homestand Highlights: August 25 - August 31 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Weather in Tulsa: Thunder & Lightning - Midland RockHounds
- Former Driller Helps Midland Complete Sweep of Tulsa - Tulsa Drillers
- RoughRiders Come Back for 7-4 Win Before 6,851 Fans on Sunday - Springfield Cardinals
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