Texas League Newsletter

Transcription

1 Texas League Newsletter Vol. XXI, No. 1 April 4-April 14, 2013

2 Chasing the dream: Former Hooks broadcaster Matt Hicks takes long road to majors Announcer's 23-plus years in minor leagues pay off with Rangers job By Greg Rajan/Corpus Christi Caller-Times 4/7/13 HOUSTON The routine for veteran baseball broadcaster Matt Hicks has been pretty much the same for a quarter-century. Get to the ballpark about five hours before game time. Chat with the opposing broadcasters. Get in thorough preparation. Squeeze in a meal when possible. And last, but not least, be ready when it s time to flip the switch. Of course, there s one change for Hicks this season, his 25th: He does all of it in the major leagues now. The lone broadcaster in Hooks history until last June, Hicks now calls games on the radio for the Texas Rangers. The trappings staying in five-star hotels, charter flights, rubbing elbows with millionaire athletes provide a stark contrast to life in the minor leagues. It s a whole new life for us, Hicks wife Estelle said. But for her husband, some things remain the same. It s not right to say it s like any other day because it s not going to be like any other day, Hicks said of his first MLB opening day. But what I have to do is pretty much like every other day.

3 Cardinals' Albitz lending troops a glove By Kary Booher/Springfield News-Leader 4/13/13 Who knows how long Vance Albitz will get to stick around. A month? Through Labor Day? Heck, his baseball career has been living on borrowed time as it is: Rescued only 20 months ago from anonymity and the land of independent baseball and brought into the St. Louis farm system, but only to plug a late-season hole on a rookie club out in Nowhere, N.Y. Hopefully I can get in there tonight, Albitz was saying the other day in the Springfield Cardinals clubhouse, and he knew it wasn t a given. He s a utility guy, a bench player, to be used at the manager s discretion. But, you know what? Albitz is a big-leaguer in my book, even though the big leagues might never come calling. Truth is, this column originally was supposed to be a recommendation of a minor leaguer or two to follow this summer. Pick a starting pitcher or everyday guy in the lineup and check on him occasionally. That s the best way casual fans with busy lives can follow a Double-A Cardinals season. Albitz probably isn t on that list. But his story should be. Not simply assuming his job as a minor leaguer had little reach, Albitz took it upon himself to lift up U.S. soldiers overseas by extending a hand. Or make that, extending them a glove. For full article, go to:

4 TEXAS LEAGUE BASEBALL: RockHounds radio voice honors wife's memory during each broadcast By Adam Zuvanich/Odessa American 4/10/13 If it hadn t finally worn out on him, Bob Hards might still be stuffing his radio gear into the same blue suitcase he used for 20 years and a total of 31 seasons. The hard-shell Delsey brand bag accompanied him on countless road trips through Texas and surrounding states, during steamy summer baseball seasons and frigid nights between hockey games. It even survived an assault by the Secret Service, which busted off the lock when Hards was at the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis a few days before former President George W. Bush. But the bag had deteriorated, with one of its wheels literally falling off, and it was probably time for a change and a fresh start anyway. So Hards went and bought some new luggage for his broadcasting equipment a larger, gray model made by Jeep with better wheels and a better handle, he said and Hards took it to Arkansas last week for the Midland RockHounds season-opening road trip. It s appropriate to have a new one, Hards said, because it really is kind of like starting over. It s not just a new baseball season for the 62-year-old Hards, in his 22nd season as the radio announcer for Midland s Double-A franchise. It s also a new chapter in his life, one without the woman to whom he was married for 31 years, the woman who was with him when he bought that old blue suitcase at Midland Park Mall in 1992 and was promised by the salesman that it would last forever. Peggy Hards battled brain cancer throughout the 2012 season and passed away Sept. 26, and because Bob wanted to be by her side, he was absent from the broadcast booth for most of the RockHounds 140 games. He didn t make a single road trip and stopped calling games altogether June 4, with the team picking up its opponents radio feeds for the remainder of the season. For full article, go to:

5 John Klein: Colorado Rockies' new player development plan is unique By John Klein/Tulsa World 4/12/13 The Colorado Rockies, like all of major league baseball, are always looking for an edge. The game remains the same. The approach to the game, and how to develop players, is an everchanging science. Duane Espy is in on the cutting edge of Colorado's newest idea. Espy, the manager of the Drillers the past two seasons, has shifted to a new job. He is the development supervisor for Double-A baseball in the Rockies organization. "If we get this right, this could be the wave of the future for developing baseball players," said Espy. "It is kind of exciting to be on the front end of something that could be big." According to the Rockies, the job is "oversight and implementation of the Rockies development philosophies and practices." What exactly does that mean? "Well, we're not sure," said Espy. "We're going to try things and see how it goes. "It is an interesting idea. The first time they talked to me about it I was interested. I think there are a lot of opportunities to try new things and maybe come up with a new way to do things." The Rockies are the first organization in major league baseball to take this new approach, putting player development supervisors with every club in the organization. For full article, go to: nt/ _203_b1_teclrd896320?subj=408&cont=cov&cont=cov

6 Drillers' Kyle Parker, a two-sport standout at Clemson, happy hitting fastballs for a living By Barry Lewis/Tulsa World 4/11/13 Tulsa Drillers outfielder Kyle Parker is not the first football quarterback to join the Colorado Rockies organization, but he is the most accomplished. Colorado's all-time leader in most hitting categories, Todd Helton, was briefly a starting quarterback at the University of Tennessee before suffering an injury and being replaced by Peyton Manning. In 2003, Matt Holliday was in the Double-A Drillers' outfield in their first season as a Rockies' farm team after passing up a scholarship to be Oklahoma State's QB following a stellar career at Stillwater High School. Seth Smith was a Tulsa outfielder in 2006 after being a backup quarterback behind Eli Manning at Ole Miss. Josh Sullivan, a former Auburn quarterback, was a pitcher for Tulsa the past two seasons and is on the Rockies' 40-man roster. When Parker signed for $1.4 million with the Rockies as a first-round draft choice in the summer of 2010, he passed up a reported additional $800,000 in order to be allowed to play his sophomore season of football at Clemson. In , he became the first NCAA athlete to throw for 20 touchdowns and hit 20 homers in the same school year as he helped Clemson win the Music City Bowl, appear in the Atlantic Coast Conference football title game for the first time and reach the College World Series. Helton, Holliday and Smith have enjoyed major league success after choosing baseball over football, and Parker hopes to do the same. For full article, go to: n/ _225_b1_cutlin416517?subj=408&cont=cov&cont=cov

7 TEXAS LEAGUE BASEBALL: Quick start for RockHounds' speedy Oberacker By Adam Zuvanich/Odessa American 4/12/13 MIDLAND Chad Oberacker doesn t like to run, which is a little strange considering that s a big part of who he is as a baseball player. Speed might be the greatest asset for the 24-year-old Oberacker, who plays center field and bats leadoff for the Midland RockHounds. He covers plenty of ground in the spacious outfield at Citibank Ballpark, is tied for the Texas League lead with two triples this season and led the entire Oakland Athletics minor league system with 30 stolen bases last year. So Oberacker is plenty good at running, especially in spurts. It s just something he d rather not do. Believe it or not, I actually hate running, Oberacker said before Thursday s home opener at Citibank Ballpark. Baseball s a good sport. The short distances are nice. I can run hard if it s a little bit at a time. You make me run any distance, I m in trouble. Fortunately for Oberacker, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound native of Erie, Pa., the RockHounds don t need him to run more than 360 feet at a time. They just need him to make plays in the outfield and be a sparkplug for their offense, which he has done well through the first seven games of the season. Oberacker, who batted eighth in the season opener but has since occupied the leadoff spot, has hit safely in all but one game this year. He has the two triples and a double among his seven hits, has scored four times and is one of three RockHounds with three stolen bases in as many attempts. But his offensive game isn t all finesse. The left-handed Oberacker cranked 15 home runs in 113 games last year, which he split between Class A Burlington and High Class A Stockton, and this season he leads the RockHounds and the Texas League with eight RBIs. For full article, go to:

8 Missions' Smith enjoying new digs Native of Lone Star state feels at home in the Texas League By Jonathan Raymond/Special to MLB.com 4/13/13 The jump from Class A Advanced to Double-A might be the most difficult on the Minor League ladder. But for pitchers making that jump from the California League to the Texas League, there's something of an equalizing factor. The Cal League, with its high altitudes and smallish parks, is known for the havoc it wreaks on pitchers' stat lines. By contrast, the Texas League offers one of the friendlier run-scoring environments to young arms. So Burch Smith, who acquitted himself well for Lake Elsinore a year ago, has found a warm welcome in the Texas League with the San Antonio Missions. The Padres prospect gave up a pair of singles and struck out eight without issuing a walk over five scoreless innings Friday night in the Missions' 2-1 loss to the Tulsa Drillers. In two starts this season, the Texas native who turned 23 on Friday, has allowed five hits and a walk over 11 shutout frames. He also has 13 strikeouts, good enough for a share of the league lead. "I wouldn't say it's easier, but it's definitely nicer to be in the Texas League," Smith said. "It's notoriously a pitchers' league, and it's the opposite in the Cal League. It's nice to be in bigger parks, the ball doesn't fly as much. If anything, it's a peace of mind. I can afford to miss more of the plate, don't have to be so fine or stay down at the very bottom of the zone. There's a little more leeway and I can miss on the plate more often than I could in the Cal League." For full article, go to: =news_milb&sid=milb

9 Player of the Week, April 4-14 LF Matt Long, Arkansas Travelers.405 AVG (15-for-37), 3 runs, 12 RBI, 1 HR, 2 2B, 4 extra base hits, 22 TB,.452 OBP, OPS Matt Long earned Texas League Player of the Week honors after a torrid start to the 2013 season. Over 10 games, Long led the league in RBIs (12) and tied for the league lead in hits (15). The 25-year-old hit safely in nine-of-ten games, tallying multiple hits six times, and is currently riding a five game hit streak. For the week, Long went 15-for-37, with one homerun, two doubles, a triple and two stolen bases. Long's best performance of the week came on April 11, when he went 2-for-2 with a grand slam and five RBIs as part of a 6-3 Arkansas victory. That game started a 7-for-14 hot streak for Long, who has driven in seven runs in the first four days of the current road trip. Selected by the Angels in the 30th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of Santa Clara, Long has spent parts of each of the last three seasons in the Texas League. Last season, in 27 games with Arkansas, Long hit.278 with three homeruns, 18 RBI and 16 runs scored. He spent the majority of his time in the Pacific Coast League where he played in 98 games for Salt Lake City, batting.282 with nine homeruns, 46 RBI and 54 runs scored. Long has won Player of the Week at three levels, netting the award in 2011 in the California League and last year in the Pacific Coast League.

10 Pitcher of the Week, April 4-14 RHP Burch Smith, San Antonio Missions 1-0(W-L), 0.00 ERA, 11.0 innings pitched, 5 hits, 13 strikeouts, 1 walk, opponents AVG-.135 Burch Smith earned Pitcher of the Week honors after a pair of dominant starts for the San Antonio Missions. In his first career Double-A outing, Smith earned the win against Tulsa, going six shutout innings with five strikeouts and one walk, allowing just three hits in the process. Smith celebrated his 23rd birthday on April 12 with five more shut out innings, allowing just two hits and striking out eight, but not figuring in the decision. Smith is third in the league with a 0.55 WHIP and tied for third with 13 strikeouts. The University of Oklahoma product was selected by San Diego in the 14th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. Entering his third season in the Padres organization, Smith is ranked as their number 22 prospect by Baseball America. In 26 starts in 2012 with Lake Elsinore in the California League, Smith went 9-6 with 127 hits allowed in innings. Smith struck out 137 against just 27 walks, while compiling a 3.85 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. The Tyler, TX native won the Pitcher of the Week award in the California League on July 30 last year after striking out 10 over 5 innings against Lancaster on July 25.

11 North Division Notes 4/4-4/14 Thursday, April 4: Postponed Due to Rain Arkansas Travelers Los Angeles Angels Affiliate This Week: 5-5; Overall Record: 5-5 1st Place North Division Friday, April 5 (Game 1): W, 7-0 vs. Frisco Travelers starter Jarrett Grube (W, 1-0) carried a no-hitter into the final inning of a 7-0 win over Frisco in the Travs' rain delayed home opener. Grube, the Texas League's oldest player at 31-years-old, went six and a third with seven strikeouts and no walks, yielding Frisco's lone hit in the top of the seventh before being pulled in favor of Buddy Boshers. Boshers retired consecutive batters to seal the victory in the first game of the day between these clubs. Travelers right fielder Randal Grichuk got out of the gates hot as he belted a three-run homer in the bottom of the first, an inning in which the Travs jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Left fielder Matt Long and designated hitter Robbie Widlanski had two hits apiece, combining with Grichuk to account for six of the Travelers' seven hits in the game. Friday, April 5 (Game 2): L, 6-3 vs. Frisco The Travelers dropped the night cap of their Opening Day double-header, losing 6-3 to Frisco. Despite a strong performance from Arkansas first baseman CJ Cron, who went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and two RBIs from the clean-up spot, the Travelers could not generate enough offense to beat the RoughRiders. Arkansas starter Mike Piazza pitched four strong innings, allowing just two hits and one run on a Guilder Rodriguez homer, while striking out four and walking two. Reliever Nick Maronde (L, 0-1) worked an inning of relief, giving up three runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one. Ryan Chaffee could not stop the bleeding in the sixth, as he allowed two more runs on a hit and two walks against one strikeout. Left fielder Matt Long stayed hot, going 2-for-3 with an RBI, a run and a walk, in this contest, while collecting four hits in the twin-bill. Saturday, April 6: W, 4-3 vs. Frisco Arkansas left fielder Matt Long s RBI single in the tenth gave the Travelers a 4-3 victory over the RoughRiders on Saturday night in North Little Rock. Long s hit was his fifth of the series and the fifth of the game for the Travelers. Travis Witherspoon and CJ Cron each had a double and a run scored, helping to fuel the Arkansas offense. Travs starter Manny Correa went six innings, allowing just three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk with three strikeouts. Four Arkansas relievers combined for four scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and striking out five against no walks. Michael Cisco (1-0) picked up the win in his Double-A debut. Sunday, April 7: L, 4-1 vs. Midland The Travelers dropped the opening game of their three game tilt with Midland, 4-1 on Sunday evening in North Little Rock. Left fielder Matt Long had two hits, a double and an RBI, accounting for Arkansas only run of the day. In four games this year, Long has seven hits and four RBIs. Shortstop Jimmy Swift was the only other Traveler with multiple hits, tallying two singles in four at bats. Starting pitcher Lay Batista (L, 0-1) only lasted three and twothirds in his Double-A debut, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks, striking out five. Four Arkansas

12 relievers combined to pitch four innings of scoreless relief, surrendering just one hit in the process and striking out seven against three walks. Monday, April 8: L, 4-0 vs. Midland Arkansas lost their fifth game in a row, falling to Midland 4-0 on Monday. The Travelers were held to just five hits in the game, only threatening to score in the eighth with the RockHounds leading by three. Following a Rolando Gomez single, pinch hitter Jett Bandy doubled to bring the tying run to the plate with two outs, but centerfielder Travis Witherspoon flied out to end the inning. Arkansas starter, Matt Oye (0-1), picked up the loss despite taking a no hitter into the sixth inning. Oye gave up consecutive singles in the sixth before being removed in favor of reliever Daniel Tillman. Tillman allowed one of the inherited runners to score on a sacrifice fly, which gave Midland a 1-0 lead. Relievers Jeremy Berg, Buddy Boshers and Mike Piazza combined to pitch three innings of relief, allowing three more runs to score on four hits and three walks while striking out five. Tuesday, April 9: W, 3-0 vs. Midland The Travelers pitching staff dazzled, crafting a combined four-hit, 3-0 shutout win over Midland on Tuesday night, enabling them to close their opening home stand with a.500 record. Michael Roth (1-0) earned his first professional win, throwing five shut-out innings in his Double-A debut. Lefty Nick Maronde struck out two against one walk in his inning of work before Michael Cisco pitched two perfect innings with two strikeouts. Kevin Johnson came on to close out the game, striking out two and walking one to earn the save, his first of the year. Arkansas got on the board in the fourth inning when Matt Long followed up a Travis Witherspoon triple with an RBI single to centerfield. Eight of the nine members of the Arkansas lineup had one hit apiece in the win. Thursday, April 11: W, Frisco A sixth inning grand slam by Matt Long sealed a 6-3 victory as the Travelers hit the road for the first time this season. Long's slam was the first by an Arkansas player in over a year, and his five RBIs in the game are as many as any other Arkansas player has for the season. Right fielder Randal Grichuk went 3-for-5 with a double and a run, raising his batting average to.300 on the young season. Starter Jarrett Grube (W, 2-0) had his second strong outing of the season. After coming within two outs of a no-hitter the last time he faced the RoughRiders, Grube went five strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits and two walks, with three strikeouts. Relievers Mike Piazza, Ryan Chaffee and Kevin Johnson (S, 2) preserved the win, pitching consecutive scoreless innings to close the door. Friday, April 12: L, Frisco A four-run rally in the first inning put Arkansas behind the eight-ball early, and the hits just kept on coming as the Travelers lost 9-0 in the middle game of their three game set with Frisco. Starter Manny Correa (L, 0-1) struggled over three innings, allowing seven earned runs on eight hits and a walk while, getting tagged with his first loss of the year. The Travs managed only a trio of hits in the losing effort; second baseman Taylor Lindsey went 2-for-3 with a double and left fielder Matt Long singled before being erased on a double play. All told, Arkansas managed to bring just six hitters more than the minimum to the plate in the game. Saturday, April 13: L, Frisco Arkansas lost the rubber match of their series in Frisco, 6-0. The Travelers mustered just five hits in the shut-out, two of which came from left fielder Matt Long, who pushed his average to.394 and stole his first base of the season. Long has hits in eight of his last nine games, including five games with two hits. Arkansas starter Lay Batista (L, 0-2) had a quality outing, pitching six innings and allowing two runs on two hits and two walks. Reliever Ryan Chaffee had a rough seventh inning, allowing the RoughRiders to blow the game open, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits. CJ Cron, Robbie Widlansky and Randal Grichuk accounted for the remaining Arkansas hits in the game.

13 Sunday, April 14: W, Midland A 13-hit outburst powered Arkansas to an 11-8 victory at Midland in the opener of their three-game road series at Citibank Ballpark. Arkansas ended a 21-inning scoreless streak in short order, plating a run in the top of the first. The Travs then used five hits and a pair of RockHound errors to score five runs in the second, taking a 6-0 lead. With the score 8-6 in their favor, Arkansas put the game out of reach with a three-run seventh inning that was fueled by three hits and another RockHound error. Shortstop Rolando Gomez, who was a double short of the cycle, led the Midland attack going 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Left fielder Matt Long and catcher Mark Fleury each tripled and stole a base in the ball game.. Starter Matt Oye (1-1) was the beneficiary of the Travs scoring ways, picking up the win despite allowing six runs on 10 hits in six and a third innings. Northwest Arkansas Naturals Kansas City Royals Affiliate This Week: 3-7; Overall Record: 3-7 T-3rd Place North Division Thursday, April 4: L, 11-0 vs. Midland For the second year in a row the Naturals have dropped their opening game of the season in blowout fashion, losing 11-0 when they hosted the RockHounds Thursday night. Five different pitchers for the Naturals allowed a total of 10 walks and the Naturals struggled against the Midland pitching staff which allowed only three hits and three walks in the game. Naturals starting pitcher, Noel Arguelles (L, 0-1), retired the first five batters he faced, but was removed after throwing 65 pitches over three innings, surrendering four unearned runs following a two-out error by first baseman Matt Fields in the third inning. Trailing 5-0 in the top of the seventh, Northwest Arkansas relievers Nick Rogers and John Keck gave up two walks each, plating a run in the process, before Midland's Chad Oberacker put the game out of reach with a three-run double. Friday, April 5: L, 10-3 vs. Midland For the second game in a row, the Naturals allowed at least 10 runs to the RockHounds, losing 10-3 on Friday night in Springdale. Northwest Arkansas starting pitcher Jason Adam (L, 0-1) gave up seven runs on eight hits in just four and two-thirds, striking out two and walking two. The Naturals went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position on the day, leaving seven men on base. Naturals first baseman Mitch Canham and second baseman Alex McClure were the lone bright spots for the Northwest Arkansas offense as they combined for five of the Naturals seven total hits. Canham went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI, while McClure went 2-for-4 with an RBI of his own. Catcher Manuel Pina scored two runs and had a hit in the contest. Saturday, April 6: L, 5-1 vs. Midland Northwest Arkansas lost to the RockHounds 5-1, allowing Midland to complete a three game sweep of the opening series of the season. Northwest Arkansas left fielder Brian Fletcher hit his first homerun of the season, going 1-for-4 in the losing effort. The remaining bright spot for the Naturals was third baseman Rey Navarro, who went 2-for-3 with a double. Northwest Arkansas starter Sugar Ray Marimon (L, 0-1) did not get any help from his defense, going five and two-thirds, allowing five runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk, fanning five batters in the process. Relievers Sam Runion pitched an inning and a third of perfect relief, striking out a batter before Andy Ferguson came on to pitch the final two innings, allowing a hit and two walks against one strikeout.

14 Sunday, April 7: L, 3-2 vs. Frisco Northwest Arkansas remained winless, losing 3-2 at home to Frisco on Sunday afternoon. Naturals starter and lauded Royals prospect Yordano Ventura touched 100MPH during his first start of the season, throwing five innings with five strikeouts. Ventura allowed two runs and five hits, throwing 49 of his 72 pitches on the day for strikes. Right fielder Yem Prades and second baseman Angel Franco each had two hits and an RBI, accounting for all of the Northwest Arkansas offense on the day. Reliever Santiago Garrido (L, 0-1) went three innings, allowing one run on two hits while tallying a pair of strikeouts before Edwin Carl came on to allow just one hit in the final inning. Monday, April 8: L, 4-3 vs. Frisco Northwest Arkansas had three runs before the fourth inning and out-hit Frisco but could not get their first win of the season, losing 4-3 on Monday night in Springdale. Brian Fletcher hit his second homerun of the season in the third inning, a two-run shot that tied the game at 3-3. However, that was all the scoring the Naturals would get as they had trouble putting the bat on the ball, racking up 14 strikeouts against three Frisco pitchers. Second baseman Rey Navarro, the only Natural coming into the game with a batting average over.300, stayed hot as he went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored, raising his batting average to.429. Starting pitcher J.C. Sulbaran (L, 0-1) allowed four runs on five hits and two walks in four and two-thirds innings, while striking out three. Reliever Cole White pitched two perfect innings, striking out three before Jon Keck and Sam Runion combined to pitch the final two and a third allowing just two hits and a walk. Tuesday, April 9: W, 3-2 vs. Frisco Northwest Arkansas got its first win of the season, as a strong outing by Noel Arguelles led the Naturals to a 3-2 win over the RoughRiders. Arguelles (W, 1-1) held Frisco hitless through four and a third, needing just 69 pitches to get through seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits, while notching a pair of strikeouts. Reliever Brooks Pounders (S, 1) threw two innings of scoreless relief, allowing just one hit and striking out one. All told, the Naturals pitching staff faced just three hitters over the minimum in the game. On offense, first baseman Matt Fields went 1-for-3, blasting a solo home run in the fourth that gave the Naturals a 3-0 lead. Third baseman Angel Franco was the only Northwest Arkansas player to tally multiple hits, going 3-for-4 on the day (all singles). Thursday, April 11: W, Midland Former RockHound, Mitch Canham's two-run homer capped off a Naturals 7-5 comeback win, their second in a row. Canham, who played for Midland in 2011, blasted his homerun to finish off a four-run rally by Northwest Arkansas in the eighth inning that gave them a 6-5 lead. Naturals starter Jason Adam ran into trouble in the fourth inning, allowing five runs to score before being driven from the hill. Relievers Nick Rogers, Andy Ferguson (W, 1-0) and Edwin Carl restored order, combining to pitch five and two-thirds innings without allowing any runs and just two hits. Carl allowed just one hit and struck out a pair over two innings to earn his first save at the Double-A level. Third baseman Rey Navarro hit a two-run double as part of the eighth inning rally. Orlando Calixte, Royals' number 7 prospect according to Baseball America, went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in the winning effort. Friday, April 12: L, Midland (12) The Naturals used a three-run seventh inning to force extra innings before succumbing in to the RockHounds 6-5 in the second game of their six game road trip. Brett Eibner led off the seventh with a single, his first hit of the season, and three hits, a walk and a timely error later, the score stood tied 5-5. Unfortunately, a wild pitch in the bottom of the 12th by reliever Cole White (L, 0-1) put the winning run on third with one out before a sac-fly ended the game. On offense, third baseman Angel Franco went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles while shortstop Orlando Calixte had his second consecutive strong performance, going 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored. Starter Sugar Ray Marimon was touched for five runs (four earned) on 10 hits and a walk in four and two-thirds innings. Relievers Santiago Garrido, Sam Runion and Jon Keck each pitched at least two innings of shut-out relief to give the Naturals a chance in extra innings.

15 Saturday, April 13: W, Midland Northwest Arkansas used a three-run sixth inning to win their first series of the season, putting away the RockHounds 4-1. Starter Yordano Ventura (W, 1-0) had his second exceptional start in a row as he overpowered Midland hitters, striking out seven over five innings. In their big inning, the Naturals strung together three singles, a walk and a throwing error to score the decisive three runs. Third baseman Angel Franco went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the contest. Alex McClure hit the only extra base hit of the night for the Naturals. Following Ventura, Brooks Pounders pitched three innings, allowing just one run before Nick Rogers tossed a scoreless ninth, earning his first save at the Double-A level. Sunday, April 14: L, Frisco Northwest Arkansas could not keep up with the surging RoughRiders, losing 9-2 in the opening game of a threegame trip to Dr. Pepper Ballpark. Starting pitcher J.C. Sulbaran (L, 0-2) allowed six runs on five hits (two homeruns) and three walks in three innings. Reliever Andy Ferguson did not fair much better, allowing three more runs on five hits in three innings. Angel Franco went 2-for-4 with a triple in the game, while Mitch Canham went 1- for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, and Matt Fields went 1-for-4 with an RBI double in the losing effort. Eight different Northwest Arkansas players had a hit in the game that saw the Nationals get a total of just nine hits. Springfield Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals Affiliate This Week 3-7; Overall Record: 3-7 T-3rd Place North Division Thursday, April 4: L, Corpus Christi Springfield came out on the wrong end of a close game to start the season Thursday night in Corpus Christi, as the defending champs lost 3-2 to the Hooks. The winning run was plated by Corpus Christi in the bottom of the fifth after Springfield had manufactured a pair of runs in the previous inning. In the bottom of the third, highly touted Astros prospect George Springer hit a two-run homerun to give the Hooks the lead. Springfield answered immediately in the top of the fourth when shortstop Jake Lemmerman hit a one-out double and scored on an RBI single by Texas League veteran Ruben Gotay. Gotay eventually scored stealing home on a delayed double steal that tied the game. Despite an otherwise strong outing, it was a wild pitch by Cardinals starter, Richard Castillo (L, 0-1) that allowed the go-ahead run to score in the bottom of the fifth. Castillo threw six strong innings, allowing just two earned runs on six hits and zero walks, while tallying five strikeouts. Friday, April 5: W, Corpus Christi Five Cardinals pitchers combined to spin a gem as they shut out the Hooks 2-0, surrendering just one hit and six walks in Corpus Christi on Friday night. Springfield starter Scott McGregor (W, 1-0) went five and two thirds, striking out five while allowing one hit and three walks. Reliever Justin Wright came on to finish the sixth inning, striking out one and walking one without allowing any hits or runs. Deryk Hooker, Michael Blazek and Keith Butler (S, 1) each pitched an inning of hitless relief. Hooker and Blazek each struck out a pair and walked one; Butler struck out the side in the ninth, earning his first save of the season. Springfield designated hitter Chris Swauger provided all of the offense the Cardinals would need, belting a solo homerun in the second inning. Centerfielder Tommy Pham drove in the second Cardinals run, going 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI.

16 Saturday, April 6: L, Corpus Christi Homeruns by Xavier Scruggs and Adam Melker were not enough to prevent a 5-2 Cardinals loss in their rubber match with the Hooks Saturday night at Whataburger Field. Scruggs and Melker hit back-to-back solo homeruns in the seventh, the only offense Springfield mustered in the contest. Centerfielder Tommy Pham logged his first double of the season but was stranded on the base paths along with four other Cardinals over the course of the game. Starter Anthony Ferrara (L, 0-1) limited the damage during his four and a third innings, allowing just two runs (one earned) on seven hits and a walk, striking out six in the process. Reliever Kevin Thomas pitched a scoreless inning of relief, allowing just one walk. Sunday, April 7: W, San Antonio The Cardinals lineup provided just enough run support to get the 2-1 victory in the opening game of their series with San Antonio on Sunday afternoon at Wolff Stadium in San Antonio. Starting pitcher Boone Whiting (W, 1-0) was in control for six innings, allowing one run on five hits with seven strikeouts against zero walks. Relievers Deryk Hooker, Michael Blazek and Keith Butler (S, 2) provided an inning of relief each, combining to allow just one hit while striking out four without allowing any walks. Shortstop Luis Mateo led off the top of the seventh with a double. After second baseman Neal Pritchard's sacrifice bunt moved him to third with one out, Mateo scored the goahead run on a pinch hit double by outfielder Chris Swauger. In just two innings of work thus far, reliever Keith Butler has struck out five of the seven batters he has faced. Monday, April 8: L, San Antonio The Cardinals left nine runners on base Monday night, losing 5-2 in the middle game of their three game set with San Antonio. Springfield starter and 2010 first round draft pick, Seth Blair, struggled through a 30 pitch first inning in which he allowed two runs on two hits and three walks. Blair would last three more innings, allowing just three hits and striking out two after his rough opening inning. First baseman Xavier Scruggs led off the second inning with a line drive homerun over the right field wall, his second of the season. Starlin Rodriguez' pinch-hit double in the top of the fifth was the only other extra base hit of the game for the Cardinals, as four Missions relievers limited Springfield to two hits and two walks over the final four innings. Springfield's Kevin Siegrist (0-1) took the loss, allowing two runs on one hit and two walks. Tuesday, April 9: L, San Antonio Two big innings spelled doom for the Cardinals as they lost the rubber match of their three game series with San Antonio, Starter Richard Castillo (L, 0-2) had trouble finding the zone in a rough first inning in which he allowed four runs on a home run, a single, two walks and two wild pitches. Castillo went three innings total, yielding five runs on five hits and three walks, notching just one strikeout. Reliever Dean Kiekhefer followed with three innings of shut-out relief, striking out three and allowing two hits without any walks. Kevin Thomas tossed a scoreless seventh inning, striking out two before Deryk Hooker was touched for five runs on five hits in a third of an inning in San Antonio's six run eighth. Springfield's lone runs came on a Ruben Gotay double and a Tommy Pham ground out in the fourth inning. Thursday, April 11: L, 5-0 vs. Corpus Christi The Hooks sent 5,371 fans home disappointed, beating the Cardinals 5-0 on a chilly home opener at Hammons Field. Springfield celebrated their 2012 Texas League Championship before the game, but that celebration came to a halt when Hooks lead-off man Austin Wates homered on the second pitch of the game. The Cardinals only scratched out three hits, a Chris Swauger double among them, on the way to their fifth loss of the season. Starter Scott McGregor (L, 1-1) struck out eight over five and a third innings, surrendering four runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk. The Cardinals best chance to score in the game came in the bottom of the fourth when Audry Perez struck out with the bases loaded to end the inning. In addition to tallying three hits, the Cardinals drew five walks, stranding eight runners in the losing effort.

17 Friday, April 12: W, 6-3 vs. Corpus Christi The Cardinals bullpen provided five innings of scoreless relief on the way to a 6-3 Springfield win in front of 3,093 Cardinals faithful. A four run rally in the second inning gave the Cardinals the early lead. After Corpus Christi scored three runs to pull within one in the fifth, Xavier Scruggs answered with his third homerun of the season. Starting pitcher Anthony Ferrara only lasted four innings, allowing three runs on six hits before turning the game over to the pen. Kevin Siegrist (W, 1-1), Deryk Hooker, Michael Blazek and Keith Butler (S, 3) combined to strike out eight, allowing just one hit over five innings of relief. In four appearances of an inning apiece, Butler has yet to allow a hit while racking up nine strikeouts against just one walk. Butler leads the Texas League in saves with three, picking up one in each of the Cardinals wins thus far this season. Saturday, April 13: L, 3-2 vs. Corpus Christi The Cardinals struck early, but not often enough, losing the rubber match of their opening home stand, 3-2 on a relatively balmy night in front of 4,769 fans. Jake Lemmerman s two-run blast gave Springfield the lead 2-0 in the first, but two runs were all the Cardinals would get on the night. Starter Boone Whiting allowed two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. Dean Kiekhefer (0-1) who took the loss, after allowing one run on three hits over two innings. Kevin Thomas finished up the mound duties for Springfield with a pair of shut-out innings. Ruben Gotay went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles in the loss. Sunday, April 14: L, 15-9 vs. San Antonio San Antonio scored four runs in the third inning and 11 more in the fifth, trampling the Cardinals 15-9 in a slugfest at Hammons Field. Xavier Scruggs' fourth homerun of the season, a two-run shot, keyed a four run rally that tied the game 4-4 in the third. Thomas Pham's first homerun of the season started a three-run Cardinals rally in the fourth, giving them the lead 7-4. Starter Seth Blair (L, 0-1), who was touched for eight runs on eight hits over four innings, combined with Ramon Delgado to allow ten of the eleven runs in San Antonio's fateful fifth inning. Leading the offense, leadoff man Mike O'Neill went 3-for-5 with two doubles, an RBI and three runs scored, while Ruben Gotay went 2-for-5 with two doubles, two RBIs and a run scored. Pham also tripled in the game, going 3-for- 5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Reliever Deryk Hooker was the only Springfield pitcher not to allow a run, pitching a perfect ninth in the losing effort. Tulsa Drillers Colorado Rockies Affiliate This Week: 4-6; Overall Record: 4-6 2nd Place North Division Thursday, April 4: L, San Antonio Tulsa narrowly avoided being shut out as they dropped the season opener at San Antonio, 7-1. Drillers starter Dan Houston(L, 0-1) turned in a solid outing, allowing just two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings before handing the game over to the bullpen. Unfortunately, Joe Gardner and Parker Frazier had a rough go of it, combining to pitch two innings while allowing five runs on six hits and three walks. Tulsa's lone run came in the ninth when Kyle Parker got things started with a single to right before scoring on Kent Matthes' double to rightcenter. Tulsa reliever Isaiah Froneberger pitched a perfect eight, striking out a pair in the process.

18 Friday, April 5: W, 2-1 San Antonio The Drillers outlasted the Missions 2-1, as six Tulsa pitchers combined to allow just five hits in the 13 inning contest. Starter Christian Bergman carried a no-hitter into the sixth, striking out six and walking a pair before allowing a single to Reymond Fuentes that ended his bid for a no-no. Drillers first baseman Kiel Roling put Tulsa ahead 2-1 with a solo homerun to lead off the 13th inning, his only hit of the night. Right fielder Kent Matthes contributed a pair of doubles, going 2-for-6, while driving in the only other run for the Drillers with a double in the sixth. Tulsa relievers Michael Solbach, Mike Marbry and Cory Riordan (W, 1-0) combined to pitch the final five and one-third innings of the game, allowing just two hits and one walk, striking out three. Saturday, April 6: L, San Antonio The Drillers offense was stifled for the second time in three games as they dropped the opening series to the Missions, losing 7-1 on Saturday night in San Antonio. Reliever Joe Gardner hit a double and scored the lone run for Tulsa when Delta Cleary followed with a single. Drillers starter Chad Bettis went five innings allowing four earned runs, nine hits and a walk, while striking out one. Bettis is the number five prospect in the Rockies' system according to Baseball America. Gardner, the number 31 prospect in the system, pitched three innings of relief, allowing three runs on five hits with four strikeouts and a walk. Both Bettis and Gardner went 1-for-1 at the plate, accounting for two of the Drillers' six hits on the night. Sunday, April 7: L, Corpus Christi Corpus Christi touched Tulsa for 12 hits, yet just squeeked by the Drillers 3-2 in the series opener on Friday afternoon at Whataburger Field. Tulsa scored both of their runs in the top of the second when, following a Kent Matthes single and stolen base, Dustin Garneau doubled to center field, tying the game at one. One batter later, infielder Joey Wong singled, driving in Garneau and giving the Drillers a 2-1 lead. The Drillers were unable to log an extra base hit or score another run after that. Reliever Michael Solbach (0-1) took the loss, allowing one run on two hits and a walk in his inning of work. Drillers outfielder Kent Matthes went 2-for-4 with a single and a double, his fourth of the young season. Monday, April 8: L, Corpus Christi Despite getting home runs from sluggers Kyle Parker and Kent Matthes on Monday night, Tulsa could not hang on to a 3-2 lead, losing 4-3 after the Hooks staged a two-run rally in the bottom of the ninth.. Tulsa starter Tyler Matzek had a rough start in his Double-A debut, laboring through four innings in which he allowed two runs on three hits and five walks. After falling behind 2-0 in the first, the Drillers put a run on the board when Joey Wong hit a pinchhit double, then was driven in when Delta Cleary Jr. poked his first double of the season. Parker and Matthes hit their first homeruns of the season in the fifth and sixth innings respectively, giving the Drillers a 3-2 lead. Tulsa reliever Cory Riordan threw three shut-out innings, striking out three without allowing any walks or hits and was in line for the win until lefty Isaiah Froneberger (0-1) took his first loss of the season after allowing the winning runs to score in the ninth. Tuesday, April 9: L, Corpus Christi The Drillers lost their fourth straight game, dropping a 6-0 decision at Corpus Christi. Starting pitcher Dan Houston (L, 0-2) was shelled for five runs on 10 hits and a walk in just four and a third innings. Relievers Tim Sexton and Michael Solbach were more effective, combining to pitch the final three and two-thirds innings without giving up an earned run, allowing just three hits and striking out four. Right fielder Kent Matthes went 2-for-3 in the loss, clubbing his league leading, fifth double of the season, raising his average to.308 and his slugging percentage to.615 in the process. In the loss, Christhian Adames, who went 2-for-3, had his second multi-hit game of the season. Thursday, April 11: W, 6-2 vs. San Antonio In front of a crowd exceeding 7,000, the Drillers won their home-opener 6-2 and returned the favor to a San Antonio club that beat Tulsa the week prior in the season-opener. Right fielder Kent Matthes hit his second homer of the season, a solo shot in the first inning that drew first blood and raise his batting average to.333. Kiel Roling put the game out of reach in the eighth with a two-run, pinch-hit double that gave the Drillers a 6-2 lead. Starting pitcher Christian Bergman continued his hot start with another strong outing. Bergman went five and a third innings, allowing just one earned run on seven hits, while striking out five. Reliever Joe Gardner (1-0), who was roughed up twice in the series in San Antonio, earned his first win of the season by providing one and two-thirds innings of scoreless relief with four strikeouts. The Drillers had not scored more than three runs in any of their prior six contests this season.

19 Friday, April 12: W, 2-1 vs. San Antonio Tulsa won a 2-1 nail biter after Kyle Parker s walk-off double sent a sell-out crowd of over 8,000 home happy. Parker, the number four prospect in the Rockies organization according to Baseball America, had been mired in a slump since the start of the season, but he went 2-for-4 in the ball game raising his average to.207. Before Parker s heroics in the ninth, infielder Joey Wong s safety squeeze bunt in the eighth tied the game. Starting pitcher Chad Bettis rebounded from his rough April 6 outing against the Missions, going five and a third innings in which he allowed just one run on four hits against six strikeouts. Parker Frazier pitched two and two-thirds innings of scoreless relief before Michael Solbach (1-1) came on to pitch a scoreless ninth and earn the win. Saturday, April 13: L, 13-2 vs. San Antonio The Drillers could not complete the sweep of San Antonio, losing 13-2 before a crowd of 7,214 at ONEOK Field. Starter Tim Gustafson (L, 0-1) could not get out of the third inning as he allowed eight runs (seven earned) on six hits and four walks over two and two-thirds innings. Reliever Cory Riordan settled things down for two and a third innings before Tim Sexton was shelled for five earned runs on five hits and three walks over an inning and twothirds. Henry Wrigley hit his first homerun of the season in the losing effort. Angelys Nina tripled and scored a run while Joey Wong doubled in the second inning, accounting for the remaining extra base hits in the contest. Reliever Steven Hensley, recently acquired by the Rockies in exchange for Aaron Harang, pitched a perfect ninth, striking out two. Sunday, April 14: W, 6-3 vs. Corpus Christi Tulsa pitching limited Corpus Christi to just five hits, all singles, on the way to an impressive 6-3 victory against the first place Hooks. Tyler Matzek shut out Corpus Christi for four and two-thirds innings, allowing just two hits and four walks while striking out six. First baseman Kiel Roling and designated hitter Henry Wrigley each hit homeruns in the game, powering a Tulsa offense that has struggled on the young season. The six-run performance matched a six run performance on April 11, and represents just the second time the Drillers have scored more than three runs this year. Reliever Joe Gardner (2-0) picked up his second win of the season, although he allowed two runs (one earned) over two and a third innings of relief. Michael Solbach pitched a hitless ninth earning his first save of the season. Left fielder Kyle Parker belted an RBI triple in the eighth, and has hits in three consecutive games.

20 South Division Notes 4/4-4/14 Corpus Christi Hooks Houston Astros Affiliate This Week: 7-3; Overall Record 7-3 1st Place South Division Thursday, April 4: W, 3-2 vs. Springfield George Springer's two-run homer and eight quality innings by tandem starters Ross Seaton (W, 1-0) and Jake Buchanan helped the Hooks open the season with a 3-2 win over the Cardinals. Corpus Christi drew first blood in the bottom of the third when Springer hit a 400 plus foot homer into the wind blowing in from left center. Springfield answered with a rally in the top of the fourth, plating two of their own before Seaton got out of the inning. The Hooks pushed across the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth when Rene Garcia led off the inning with his second double of the game, advanced to third on a flyout and scored on a wild pitch by Cardinals starter Richard Castillo (L, 0-1). While Garcia's 3 for 3 performance and Springer's homer powered the Hooks offense, it was strong defense that secured the win. Seaton and Buchanan benefited from three double plays in the game, but an acrobatic catch by right fielder Domingo Santana with two outs and two runners on in the eighth may have saved the game for the Hooks. Starter Ross Seaton pitched five innings, allowing only two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out a pair. Tandem starter Jake Buchanan pitched three shutout innings, allowing just three hits before Jason Stoffel (S, 1) came on to close the game, striking out two in a perfect ninth. Friday, April 5: L, 2-0 vs. Springfield The Hooks lost the middle game of their three game series with the Cardinals, as they were limited to just one hit in a 2-0 loss on Friday night at Whataburger Field. Hooks starter Nick Tropeano (L, 0-1) took the loss despite pitching five strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits with five strikeouts and just one walk. Tandem starter Bobby Doran went three innings, giving up one run on three hits and a walk, while striking out a pair. Corpus Christi s lone hit came on an Austin Wates single, however the Hooks managed to put multiple runners on as they worked the Cardinals pitchers for a total of six walks. Wates was 1-for-2 in the game, with two walks and a stolen base. Outfielders George Springer and Domingo Santana, promising prospects for the Astros, struggled at the plate as they joined third baseman Jonathan Meyer and first baseman Erik Castro in striking out three times apiece. The only other Hooks player to strikeout was shortstop Jiovanni Mier. Saturday, April 6: W, 5-2 vs. Springfield A strong start by Asher Wojciechowski (W, 1-0) and homeruns by George Springer, Domingo Santana and Jonathan Meyer helped the Hooks take the deciding game in their three game series with the Cardinals. Wojciechowski dominated for five innings, surrendering just one hit and one walk and fanning seven Cardinals without allowing a run. Reliever David Martinez got roughed up a bit before giving way to Alex Sogard (S, 1) who pitched an inning and a third, allowing a hit and striking out one, on his way to his first save of the season. Springer, Santana and Meyer, who wore the collar in Friday nights game, going a combined 0-for-11 and striking out nine times turned it around on Saturday night. In the win, Springer had two runs, Santana had two RBIs and Meyer went 3-for-4 with a run scored as the trio combined to go 5-for-11.

21 Sunday, April 7: W, 3-2 vs. Tulsa The Hooks scored the go-ahead run in the eighth, taking a 3-2 win in the opening game of their three game series with Tulsa. With one out in the bottom of the eighth, Jonathan Meyer doubled on a fly ball to center field. The next batter, Enrique Hernandez, lined a double to left, plating Meyer and giving the Hooks a 3-2 lead that they would not relinquish. On the night, Hernandez went 3-for-4 with a homerun, a double and two RBIs, while Meyer went 2-for-4 with two doubles. George Springer and Carlos Perez also contributed an extra base hit in the game. Corpus Christi starter Ruben Alaniz only went three and two-thirds, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk, striking out one in the process. Matthew Heidenreich (W, 1-0) pitched three innings of scoreless relief, striking out three and allowing just two hits before turning the game over to Jason Stoffel (S, 2) who pitched a perfect ninth to earn the save. Monday, April 8: W, 4-3 vs. Tulsa Michael Burgess had three hits in the ball game but none were as important as his ninth inning walk-off base hit that capped a two-run rally and cememnted the come-from-behind Hooks 4-3 win on Monday night. Centerfielder George Springer joined Burgess in the multi-hit column, going 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Burgess and Springer accounted for five of the Hooks' six total hits; second baseman Enrique Hernandez went 1-for- 2 with an RBI and a run scored. Corpus Christi starter Jake Buchanan went five innings in his first start of the season, yielding only two runs on three hits while striking out six. Reliever Patrick Urckfitz (1-0) made his 2013 debut, earning the win by pitching two and a third innings of shut-out ball, tallying a strikeout against two hits and a walk. Tuesday, April 9: W, 6-0 vs. Tulsa Jiovani Mier homered and Domingo Santana had three doubles as the upstart Corpus Christi offense combined with stellar pitching to conclude a successful opening home stand with a 6-0 win over Tulsa. Mier went 3-for-3 with two RBIs while Santana went 3-for-4, driving in a pair and scoring once. Austin Wates, George Springer and Enrique Hernandez each had a double and two hits, while Wates and Springer scored a run each. Starting pitcher Bobby Doran (W, 1-0) teamed with piggy-back starter Nick Tropeano to complete the shut-out. Doran, who needed just 62 pitches to get through his five innings, allowed just one hit and struck out four before handing the ball to Tropeano, who matched Doran's 62 pitches in his four innings of work in which he allowed five hits and struck out another six Tulsa batters. Thursday, April 11: W, Springfield David Martinez (W, 1-0) and Asher Wojciechowski (S, 1) combined to pitch a three-hit, 5-0 shut-out as the Hooks disappointed the home fans on a chilly home opener in Springfield. Martinez went five innings, struck out three and allowed two hits and two walks before turning the game over to piggy-back starter Wojciechowski, who threw four, one-hit innings to complete the shut-out. Left fielder Austin Wates, who hit a leadoff homerun that gave the Hooks an early 1-0 lead, came within a double of hitting for the cycle, going 3-for-5 with the homer, a triple and two runs scored. Right fielder Domingo Santana also homered in the game, while designated hitter Michael Burgess went 2- for-5 with two doubles in the winning effort. Friday, April 12: L, Springfield Corpus Christi s five-game winning streak ended with their 6-3 loss to the Cardinals. Before a four-run rally in the second inning, Corpus Christi pitchers had not allowed a run in 22 innings. Starting pitcher Matthew Heidenreich (L, 1-1) was relieved after allowing four runs on four hits and a walk in the second. Piggy-back starter Ruben Alaniz, who entered the game in the fifth and lasted three innings was touched for a pair of runs when he gave up a home run to Xavier Scruggs. Relievers Pat Urckfitz and Andrew Robinson combined to pitch three innings of scoreless relief, allowing just one hit in the process. Centerfielder George Springer went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, raising his batting average to.290 in the losing effort.

22 Saturday, April 13: W, Springfield The Hooks won their third consecutive series, hanging on late for a 3-2 victory over the Cardinals. Starter Jake Buchanan (W, 1-0) fought through five innings, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk before the bullpen shut down the Springfield offense. Reliever Carlos Quevedo went two and two thirds with four strikeouts, before Alex Sogard came on to strike out the only batter he faced. The Hooks tied the game in the fourth when first baseman Erik Castro stayed in a run-down long enough for Perez to score from third. Right fielder Domingo Santana went 2- for-4 in the game with a run scored, and catcher Carlos Perez went 2-for-4, driving in the go-ahead run with an RBI double in the sixth. Jason Stoffel eeked out his third save of the season, allowing two hits in the ninth before closing the door on the Cards. Sunday, April 14: L, Tulsa Each of Corpus Christi's tandem starters allowed three runs which led to a 6-3 loss to the Drillers. Nick Tropeano (L, 0-2) was stung by a two-run homer by Henry Wrigley in the fourth and a two out RBI single in the fifth. George Springer's single drove in two runs as the Hooks cut the Tulsa lead to 4-2 through seven, but the Drillers answered with a two-run rally in the eighth. Tropeano's starting partner Bobby Doran, who entered the game in the sixth inning, allowed three runs on four hits over three innings of relief. Catcher Carlos Perez went 2-for-4 with a run scored in the losing effort. Thursday, April 4: Postponed Due to Rain Frisco RoughRiders Texas Rangers Affiliate This Week: 6-4; Overall Record 6-4 T-2nd Place South Division Friday, April 5 (Game 1): L, Arkansas The RoughRiders got off to a rough start, dropping their season opener 7-0 to the Travelers. The Frisco offense was anemic throughout; Jared Hoying's double in the seventh was their only hit of the night, coming with one out in the final inning. Highly regarded Rangers prospect Cody Buckel (L, 0-1) got roughed up in his 2013 debut, allowing seven earned runs on five hits and five walks while managing just two strikeouts in two and two-thirds innings. The bullpen provided a silver lining for the RoughRiders; Ryan Rodebaugh, Carlos Pimentel and Randy Henry combined to go three and a third innings of scoreless relief, striking out two, walking one and allowing only two hits. Friday, April 5 (Game 2): W, Arkansas The Riders returned the favor in the second game of their Opening Day double-header, beating the Travelers 6-3. Frisco shortstop Guilder Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with a homerun and two RBIs as he paced the RoughRiders offense. With the game tied in the top of the sixth and the bases loaded, Frisco catcher Tomas Telis doubled off the center field wall, driving in three runs to give the RoughRiders their winning margin. Frisco starter, Ryan Feierabend was touched up for three runs in four innings on six hits and a walk, despite striking out five batters. Relievers pitched the RoughRiders to victory as Ben Rowen (W, 1-0), Roman Mendez and Wilmer Font (S, 1) combined to pitch three innings of scoreless, hitless relief.

23 Saturday, April 6: L, Arkansas Despite outhitting the Travelers, the RoughRiders fell 4-3 ten innings on Saturday night in North Little Rock. Frisco third baseman Alex Bucholz went 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored. Friday nights hero, shortstop Guilder Rodriguez, stayed hot as he contributed a pair of hits and a run of his own. Riders starting pitcher Neil Ramirez could not get out of the fourth inning. After striking out six batters through three hitless innings, Ramirez gave up three walks and hit in the fourth before being pulled after two runs had scored. Reliever Jake Brigham went two and a third, striking out three and allowing two walks without surrendering any hits or runs. Reliever Ross Wolf took the loss (0-1), yielding three hits and a run over one and two-thirds innings. Sunday, April 7: W, Northwest Arkansas Frisco first baseman Brett Nicholas powered the RoughRiders to a 3-2 victory on Sunday afternoon in Springdale. Nicholas went 3-for-4 on the day with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored. Second baseman Odubel Herrera was the only other Rider to log an extra base hit, sending a triple into the right field corner leading off the sixth inning. Shortstop Hanser Alberto drove in Herrera with a sacrifice fly to center, giving Frisco the 3-2 lead. RoughRider starter, Kevin Pucetas (W, 1-0), went five innings, yielding two runs on five hits while striking out three. Frisco pitchers Randy Henry, Ben Rowen and Ryan Rodebaugh (S, 1) combined to throw four innings of shut out relief to close out the game. Overall, the RoughRider pitching staff held the Naturals to just two hits in twelve chances with runners in scoring position. Monday, April 8: W, Northwest Arkansas Brett Nicholas hit a three-run homer in the first inning and Jared Hoying's RBI triple in the fifth provided just enough offense for the RoughRiders as they beat Northwest Arkansas 4-3 on Monday night. The homer was Nicholas' first of the season while the trio of RBIs increased his week one total to five, while Hoying's triple produced his first RBI of the season. Starting pitcher Carlos Pimentel (W, 1-0) went five innings with nine strikeouts and no walks, allowing three runs on six hits in the process. Relievers Roman Mendez and Wilmer Font (S, 2) pitched two scoreless innings apiece, combining to allow just two hits and a walk while striking out five. Infielder Guilder Rodriguez continued his hot start to the season, going 1-for-3 with two runs scored and a walk, this time while playing third base. In the three games he's appeared in thus far, Rodriguez has played shortstop, second base and third base, collecting nine assists and no errors. Asa team, the Roughriders have yet to commit an error this season. Tuesday, April 9: L, Northwest Arkansas Frisco lost the final game of their opening road trip, as their first error of the season led to Northwest Arkansas scoring two unearned runs that proved the difference in a 3-2 game. An Alex Bucholz throwing error in the bottom of the second spoiled a strong start by Ryan Feierabend (L, 0-1), who took the hard-luck loss. Over five innings, Feierabend allowed three runs, one earned, on six hits, while tallying three strikeouts. Second baseman Odubel Herrera, who went 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored, was the only RoughRiders player with more than one hit in the contest. Reliever Jake Brigham turned in a solid performance in his second outing of the season, going two and a third innings, while allowing just two men to reach base, one on a hit and the other via a base on balls. Catcher Tomas Telis went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI in the losing effort. Thursday, April 11: L, 6-3 vs. Arkansas The RoughRiders lost their home opener, 6-3 to Arkansas in front of an impressive opening day crowd of 9,267 at Dr. Pepper Ballpark. Starting pitcher Cody Buckel (L, 0-2) lasted only an inning and two thirds as he struggled to throw strikes. After a clean first inning, Buckel walked the bases loaded in the second before plunking Jett Bandy to force a run across. Two outs later, Buckel was removed from the game after walking Matt Long to force across another run. Reliever Ryan Rodebaugh struggled in the sixth, retiring just two batters before being relieved following Matt Long's grand slam. Lost in the pitching struggles of Buckel and Rodebaugh was the stellar relief appearance by Randy Henry. Henry relieved Buckel in the second inning and pitched three and a third shut-out innings with six strikeouts, keeping the RoughRiders in the game. The 'Riders narrowed the Arkansas lead to 6-3 in the bottom of the sixth, scoring twice, when Alex Bucholz had an RBI triple, then came in to score on Chih-Hsien Chiang's sac-fly.

24 Friday, April 12: W, 9-0 vs. Arkansas Frisco cruised to a 9-0 victory in front of a Friday night crowd of 7,696 at Dr. Pepper Ballpark, holding the Travelers to just three hits in the shut-out effort. Winning pitcher, starter Neil Ramirez (1-0), went five and twothirds innings, walking two and allowing two hits while striking out five. Centerfielder Jared Hoying and designated hitter Alejandro Selen each hit homeruns in the contest, the first of the year for both, while catcher Tomas Telis went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Every member of the RoughRiders starting lineup reached base at least once in the game, seven of the nine via base hits. Relievers Roman Mendez and Wilmer Font combined to pitch the final three and a third innings of the shutout, allowing just one hit and one walk in the process. Saturday, April 13: W, 6-0 vs. Arkansas The RoughRiders used a five-hit pitching performance and a trio of homers to down the Travelers, 6-0 on their way to winning their season opening home series. Starter Kevin Pucetas (W, 2-0) went seven and a third shut-out innings, allowing just five hits and a walk, before reliever Jimmy Reyes perfect inning and two-thirds locked up the shut-out. Alex Buchholz put Frisco on the board in the fifth with a leadoff homerun down the left field line. Buchholz went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, adding a double in the seventh. Right fielder Jared Hoying s second homerun in as many games gave the RoughRiders a 2-0 lead before Frisco put the game away in the seventh. Ryan Strausborger s first homerun of the season punctuated a four run rally in the seventh that put the Travs away. Sunday, April 14: W, 9-2 vs. Northwest Arkansas Frisco used three homeruns to win their third consecutive game, beating Northwest Arkansas 9-2 in front of 9,259 fans at Dr. Pepper Ballpark. In the second inning, Ryan Strausborger hit his second homer in as many days. Not to be outdone, Alex Buchholz hit a three-run shot in the third, his second game in a row with a homerun. Brett Nicholas hit a two-run shot in the sixth to extend the RoughRider lead to 9-2. The trio of sluggers accounted for all nine of the runs driven in for Frisco, tallying three apiece. Starter Carlos Pimentel (W, 2-0) threw five strong innings, allowing just two runs on six hits with five strikeouts. Relievers Tyler Tufts pitched an inning of scoreless relief before Jake Brigham pitched the final three innings, shutting out the Naturals, earning his first save of the season. The RoughRiders have slugged eight homeruns during the home stand after managing just two during their season-opening road trip.

25 Midland RockHounds Oakland Athletics Affiliate This Week: 6-4; Overall Record 6-4 T-2nd Place South Division Thursday, April 4: W, Northwest Arkansas Midland started the season off on the right foot, rolling to an 11-0 victory at Northwest Arkansas Thursday night. The RockHounds shut out the Naturals as four Midland pitchers combined to hold the Northwest Arkansas offense to three singles and three walks while striking out nine. At the plate, the RockHounds were paced by the 3 for 5 performance of Jefry Marte, who finished the game with a double, two RBIs and three runs of his own. Back to back two-run doubles by Jefry Marte and Anthony Aliotti put Midland ahead 4-0 in the third and they would not look back from there. The RockHounds tacked on a run in the fifth and put the game out of reach in the seventh when a three-run double by Chad Oberacker helped push across five runs to give the RockHounds a 10-0 lead through seven. Midland starter, Murphy Smith (W, 1-0), went five innings, striking out four while surrendering just two hits and three walks. Relievers Darren Byrd and Carlos Fisher combined for three perfect innings of relief, striking out two batters respectively before Jeff Urlaub finished off the shutout, tallying one strikeout and allowing one hit in the ninth. Friday, April 5: W, Northwest Arkansas RockHound first baseman, Anthony Aliotti went 4-for-4 with a homerun, a double, three RBIs and three runs scored in Midlands 10-3 win over Northwest Arkansas on Friday night in Springdale. Through two games, Aliotti is a perfect 10-for-10 reaching base, stroking six hits and walking four times. Aliotti s homer came in the top of the first, putting the RockHounds ahead 3-0 before Midland starter, Zach Neal, threw his first pitch. Neal threw four shutout innings, surrendering just one walk and one hit while striking out two. Midland relievers Sergio Perez, Paul Smyth (W, 1-0), and Frank Gailey combined to pitch the remaining five innings, surrendering two hits apiece and a cumulative three runs (two earned) with five strikeouts and zero walks. The Hounds rocked Naturals starter Jason Adams for seven runs on eight hits in just four and two-thirds innings. Midland left fielder Chad Oberacker s triple in the fourth drove in three runs, while right fielder Jeremy Barfield also hit a solo shot in the fifth, his only hit of the game. Centerfielder D Arby Myers got in on the fun as well, going 2-for-5 with a pair of runs and an RBI. Saturday, April 6: W, Northwest Arkansas Midland completed their three game sweep of Northwest Arkansas, beating the Naturals 5-1 on Saturday night. Midland designated hitter and Oakland A s prospect Miles Head hit a solo homerun and shortstop Dusty Coleman went 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs in the win. For the second game in a row, RockHounds centerfielder Chad Oberacker tripled, scoring one of Midland's five runs. Midland starter Josh Bowman picked up the win,(1-0) going five innings, striking out one and allowing just four hits and one run. Carlos Fisher came on to pitch two innings of perfect relief, striking out a pair in the process. Kyle Newby pitched the final two innings, logging two strikeouts as well.

26 Sunday, April 7: W, Arkansas Midland stayed unbeaten, improving to 4-0 thanks to strong starting pitching and some timely hitting, topping the Travelers 3-1 on Sunday evening in North Little Rock. Starting pitcher Carlos Hernandez (W, 1-0) went five shutout innings, striking out three while allowing four hits and one walk. Nate Long and Darren Byrd (S, 1) each pitched two innings of relief, combining to allow one run on two hits and three walks while striking out one. Midland third baseman Jefry Marte had a double, an RBI and a run, while first baseman Anthony Aliotti stayed hot, notching a double of his own. Through four games, Aliotti has four extra base hits and an on-base percentage over.600. Monday, April 8: W, Arkansas Midland ran its season-opening winning streak to five games on Monday night, as the RockHounds shut-out the Travelers 4-0 at Dickey-Stephens Park. Starter Arnold Leon (W, 1-0) efficiently shut down the Travelers hitters, needing just 63 pitches go get through five innings. Leon faced only one hitter over the minimum during the outing, allowing just one hit and striking out one. Reliever Paul Smyth, in his second multi-inning appearance of the season, went two and a third, striking out three and surrendering just one hit. Leadoff hitter and right fielder, Chad Oberacker, went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs to go along with a pair of stolen bases. Designated hitter Anthony Aliotti continued his torrid hitting, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and two walks, while clean-up hitter Jefry Marte went 1-for-2 with a pair of RBIs and two walks. Outfielder Jake Goebbert had his second stolen base in as many games against the Travelers this season. Tuesday, April 9: L, Arkansas The RockHounds were tagged with their first loss of the season, falling to Arkansas 3-0. Starting pitcher Murphy Smith (1-1) took the hard-luck loss, going six innings with four strikeouts, while allowing just one run on four hits before giving way to the bullpen. Midland managed just four hits on the day; centerfielder Jake Goebbert accounted for two of them going 2-for-3 with a double. Designated hitter Miles Head and shortstop Dusty Coleman accounted for the other two Midland hits. Midland's leadoff hitters reached base to start both the second and third innings, but Traveler double plays kept the RockHounds at bay. Thursday, April 11: L, 7-5 vs. Northwest Arkansas Despite a five-run rally, the RockHounds lost their home-opener in front of 5,823 fans at Citibank Ballpark. Midland strung together five hits in the fourth inning, including an RBI double by Jefry Marte to jump out to a 5-0 lead through four innings. Starting pitcher Zach Neal dominated in his four and one-third innings before being pulled due to an elevated pitch count. Neal allowed just one run while striking out six against a lone base on balls. Relievers Paul Smyth and Kyler Newby (L, 0-1) could not hold the Naturals at bay however, allowing five runs over the final two innings as the RockHounds lost for just the second time on the young season. Friday, April 12: W, 6-5 vs. Northwest Arkansas (12) Despite jumping out to an early 5-1 lead, it would take a Darwin Perez sacrifice-fly in the 12th for the RockHounds to get their first home win of the season, 6-5 over the Naturals. Doubles by four Midland hitters powered a three-run rally in the second that gave the RockHounds a 4-1 lead through two innings. Midland would push another run across in the third, however they would not score again until the deciding run in extra innings. Chad Oberacker and Anthony Aliotti continued their frenetic start to the season. Oberacker pushed his batting average to.306 after going 4-for-6, with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored. While Aliotti, who is now hitting.379, went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs. Relievers Paul Smyth, Carlos Fisher and Jeff Urlaub (W, 1-0) combined to pitch the final five and two-thirds shut-out innings, allowing just four hits and a walk against six strikeouts. Saturday, April 13: L, 4-1 vs. Northwest Arkansas Despite 10 hits in the contest, Midland was only able to score one run in their 4-1 loss on Saturday night before a crowd of 5,266. Centerfielder D Arby Myers went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored while Anthony Aliotti and Jefry Marte both went 2-for-4, continuing their hot starts to the season. Losing pitcher, Carlos Hernandez (1-1) pitched five strong innings but struggled in the sixth. Over all, he allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and a pair of walks in five and a third innings. Relievers Mike DeMark and Frank Gailey combined to pitch the final three and two-thirds innings without allowing a run.

27 Sunday, April 14: L, 11-8 vs. Arkansas Despite a strong offensive performance of their own, Midland lost 11-8 in the opening game of their three-game set with Arkansas at Citibank Ballpark. The RockHounds found themselves down 6-0 going into the bottom of the second, but D'Arby Myers punctuated a five-run Midland rally with a three run homerun, his first of the season. Starter Murphy Smith (L, 1-2) lasted five and a third innings, allowing eight runs (five earned) on seven hits and two walks. However, it was a three-run Trav's rally in the seventh against reliever Carlos Fisher that put the game out of reach for the RockHounds. Anthony Aliotti had a pair of hits including a double, while designated hitter Miles Head recorded his first multi-hit game of the season with a 3-for-5 effort. Myers finished the game 1-for-5 with four RBIs. San Antonio Missions San Diego Padres Affiliate This Week: 6-4; Overall Record 6-4 T-2nd Place South Division Thursday, April 4: W, 7-1 vs. Tulsa The San Antonio pitching staff shined in its debut on Thursday night against Tulsa, limiting the Drillers to just three hits in the 7-1 win. Donn Roach (W, 1-0) pitched five innings of one-hit baseball, striking out four and walking a pair inducing Driller after Driller to beat his sinker into the ground. Ryan Kelly pitched two innings of hitless relief before Jeremy McBryde and Chris Rearick pitched an inning each to close out the game. The San Antonio offense came primarily from the middle of its order, as their two through seven hitters each logged two hits, combining to go 10 for 19. Outfielder Everett Williams, in his Double-A debut, had a double and two RBIs while Missions catcher Eddy Rodriguez logged a pair of doubles and an RBI of his own. Friday, April 5: L, 2-1 (13) vs. Tulsa Despite strong pitching performances by seven pitchers, the Missions dropped their first extra innings affair of the season, 2-1 on Friday night at Wolff Stadium in San Antonio. Missions right fielder Reymond Fuentes and second baseman Chris Bisson were bright spots in the Missions lineup, as Fuentes went 3-for-6 with two doubles and an RBI while Bisson had a double of his own and scored a run. San Antonio starter, Jose De Paula pitched well in his first appearance in affiliated baseball since 2011, going five innings with three strikeouts, no walks, while allowing just three hits. Relievers Matt Stites and Kevin Quackenbush combined for three innings of shut out relief. Stites pitched a perfect eighth, striking out a pair, while Quackenbush making his Double-A debut tossed a pair of innings, allowing one hit, striking out three and walking one. Saturday, April 6: W, 7-1 vs. Tulsa The Missions won their opening series Saturday night in San Antonio, beating the Drillers 7-1. Birch Smith turned in the third dominant start in a row for the Missions, going six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and a walk while striking out five. San Antonio first baseman Tommy Medica hit a solo homerun to begin the second inning then drove in another run with a double later in the game. Rico Noel, Jeudy Valdez, Jake Blackwood and Rocky Gale each had multiple hits in the game as well. Valdez had a double and two runs while Blackwood had a double and a run of his own. Rocky Gale, in his third stint in the Texas League, contributed with two RBI singles in his first start of the season.