What Was All That Kicking & Screaming??
Published on June 6, 2016 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Don't be alarmed, it was just the Tulsa Drillers being dragged to their team bus after being told the 12-game section of the schedule in which they played Frisco and the RockHounds had come to an end. We're kidding, of course, about the kicking and screaming, but the Drillers were probably "bummed" to see the two-week run ... capped by a three-game sweep of the RockHounds ... come to an end.
In a 13-day stretch (May 25 - June 5), the Drillers played 11 games versus the RoughRiders and RockHounds ... and won ten of them (the RockHounds took a 2-1 decision at Tulsa and "Mother Nature" took one away at Frisco with a rainout). The Drillers took all five from Frisco, knocking the Riders out of first place in the South. Tulsa, winners of seven straight and 22 of their last 29, now lead the North Division.
Tulsa built a 5-0 lead Sunday, keyed by Paul Hoenecke's two-run double in the second and Andrew Toles' two-run single, capping a three-run fourth. Tyler Marincov's solo home run in the fourth and Matt Chapman's two-run shot in the sixth helped cut the lead to 5-4. The last two runs of the game scored on wild pitches - - the 'Hounds tied the game in the seventh and the Drillers scored the winner in the ninth.
The RockHounds
... are 27-28 (14-14 at Security Bank Ballpark and 13-14 on the road) ... finished 1-5 (and dropping five straight) in their season series with Tulsa and finished their six-game homestand 2-4 (2-1 versus Springfield and 0-3 versus Tulsa) ... finished the first half 12-12 versus the North.
... are now seven games behind front-running Corpus Christi in the Texas League South, after the Hooks held off the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, 3-2, in the final of a three-game series in Springdale, Arkansas. Beginning Tuesday, there are 15 games (14 days) remaining in the first half races.
... departed for Corpus Christi following Sunday's game. The Texas League grabs its final "breather" of the first half on Monday, followed by 21 games in 20 days (the first 15 of those games comprising the finish of the first half pennant race). The 'Hounds will open at four-game set (June 7-10) at Corpus Christi on Tuesday versus the Hooks, followed by a four-gamer (June 11-14) in Frisco versus the RoughRiders.
Kibbles & Bits
BEST WISHES & THOUGHTS ... to Texas League umpire Derek Eaton, who was injured during Sunday's game. On the follow-through of a swing in the third inning, Andy Paz's bat struck Eaton in the side of the head. He remained down initially and was attended to by both athletic trainers, eventually being able to sit up. He was taken from the field via ambulance and transported to Midland Memorial Hospital for examination. Our thoughts are with you, Derek.
- Since starting 0-for-10 after his call-up from (Advanced-A) Stockton, Tyler Marincov has now hit in 12 of his last 14 games (20-for-59, .339)
- Wade Kirkland has hit in five straight games, going 9-for-19 in that stretch (including four, two-hit games in the five) and is hitting .457 (16-for-35) in his last nine games. Since May 21, over those nine games, he has raised his batting average 80 points, from .221 to .301.
- Matt Chapman's home run, a monster drive well above and beyond the left-center field wall, was his league-leading 14th of the year. It also gave Chapman hits in two straight games, breaking a 2-for-30 stretch.
- J.P. Sportman has hit in seven straight games (11-for-28, .393). He has raised his average from .244 to .270 in that stretch.
- Brett Vertigan has reached base in 14 of his last 15 games and is hitting .290 (18-for-62) in those games (plus eight walks for a .371 OBP).
Texas League Stories from June 6, 2016
- Luke Weaver Named Texas League Pitcher of the Week - Springfield Cardinals
- Nick Torres Named Texas League Player of the Week - San Antonio Missions
- J.D. Davis League Player of Month - Corpus Christi Hooks
- What Was All That Kicking & Screaming?? - Midland RockHounds
- Cardinals Partner with Rawlings and Johnny Mac's to Offer Dugout Team Program - Springfield Cardinals
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