You Just Gotta Love Baseball
Published on April 26, 2016 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Monday's series opener between the Hooks and 'Hounds in Corpus Christi started as a blowout ... turned into a major comeback ... was decided on a two-strike home run in the 14th inning ... and ended with a save by the RockHounds' second baseman.
Corpus Christi got to RockHounds starter Raul Alcantara for a three-run home run (pushed by a 25 mph wind) off the bat of James Ramsey in the first inning and a pair of two-run swings in the second (Teoscar Hernandez's double and Jack Mayfield's home run).
After two innings, Corpus Christi had scored seven runs on five hits, leaving the RockHounds down, 7-0. From there ...
- Six RockHounds relievers combined for one of the most impressive games in recent memory, allowing no runs on two hits over a dozen innings, walking four and striking out seven. Sam Bragg (2.0), Bobby Wahl (2.0), Ryan Doolittle (2.0), Jake Sanchez (3.0) and Aaron Kurcz (2.0) kept the Hooks off the board through the 13th inning.
- The 'Hounds chipped away at the seven-run deficit with two RBI each from Ryon Healy (singles in the third and sixth) and Danny Oh (who broke an 0-for-15 mini-slump with a two-run single in the fifth) and single RBIs from Viosergy Rosa and Brett Vertigan.
- Franklin Barreto tied the game, taking (former RockHound) Brendan McCurry's first pitch of the eighth inning out to left field.
- After Barreto's game-tying home run, the Hooks bullpen allowed just one hit and one walk over the next six innings.
- In the 14th, Matt Chapman took David Schmidt's 0-2 pitch out to left-center for the 'Hounds first lead, more than four hours into the game.
- With all available relievers utilized, the RockHounds brought second baseman Wade Kirkland in to protect the one-run lead. A leadoff walk to J.D. Davis was followed by a sac bunt and ground out to first, moving Davis, the tying run, to third base with two out. Rosa then handled Conrad Gregor's sharp grounder to first base, giving Kirkland the unlikely save and the 'Hounds a (perhaps) even more unlikely victory.
The RockHounds
... are 9-8 (5-1 at Security Bank Ballpark and 4-7 on the road) ... broke a three-game slide ... are 2-3 on the current eight-game) road trip.
... are now third place in the Texas League South, 3.5 games behind Frisco (12-4). The RoughRiders, who defeated San Antonio (7-4) in the Metroplex Monday night, lead Corpus Christi (9-7) by three and the Missions by 4.5.
... continue their eight-game road trip with games Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Corpus Christi versus the Hooks (7:05 p.m. each evening).
... return to Security Bank Ballpark on Friday, April 29 to open an eight-game homestand, facing division rivals San Antonio & Corpus Christi.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT OF THE DAY The last time a RockHounds position player earned a save was June 27, 2010, when (outfielder) Val Majewski pitched a scoreless 15th inning in an 11-10 win at San Antonio. The winning pitcher was (second baseman) J.C. Holt.
Majewski then did something perhaps never done in pro baseball history - - - after earning the save on June 27, he was the RockHounds' leadoff batter the following night.
Texas League Stories from April 26, 2016
- 'Hounds Trim Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Naturals Even Series with 5-2 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Binford, Naturals Notch Gritty Victory over Springfield, 5-2 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Blanked by Kipper and Travs - Tulsa Drillers
- Drillers Game to Start at 6:30pm Tonight - Tulsa Drillers
- Theme Nights Presale for Season Ticket Holders Starts Today - Springfield Cardinals
- Riders Game Notes - 7:05 p.m. vs. San Antonio Missions - April 26, 2016 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Hooks Reschedule Postponed Game - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Riders Celebrate Second-Place with "Runner-Up Night" Tonight - Frisco RoughRiders
- Groups Have Alreaday Raised over $50,000 with the Naturals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- You Just Gotta Love Baseball - Midland RockHounds
- Missions Win Streak Ended in Frisco - San Antonio Missions
- Midland Takes Marathon - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Tulsa Pen Delivers in 4-3 Victory - Tulsa Drillers
- Lopez Limits Missions as Riders Take Series Opener - Frisco RoughRiders
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
