Texas League Newsletter

Transcription

1 Texas League Newsletter Vol. XXII, No. 5 4/28-5/4

2 Texas League Outstanding Performers of the Month Five League Prospects Recognized for Their Play Although Topps does not recognize a Player of the Month for April, a number of Texas League players had exceptional months, among them: James Ramsey (OF; Springfield), Ryan Rua (INF; Frisco), Matt Wisler (RHP; San Antonio), Thomas Shirley (LHP; Corpus Christi) and Daniel Winkler (RHP; Tulsa) Playing in 25 games, James Ramsey, a top-10 prospect in the St. Louis organization according to both Baseball America and MLB.com, was second overall in Double-A with 21 runs and led the Texas League in RBIs (17). The Florida State product tied for the league lead in homeruns with six, while he was second in hits (30), total bases (53), and third in OPS (.957). The Springfield center fielder was named the Texas League Player of the Week for the time period of April 3 rd -13 th. After a slow start that he attributes to the brutal early-season cold temperatures, Frisco s Ryan Rua ended the month of April as the league leader in on-base percentage (.441), slugging percentage (.654), batting average (.358) and OPS (1.095), while tying Ramsey with six homeruns. This season the burly third baseman has stayed relaxed and patient at the plate, not choosing balls and getting good hitting counts. Rua is currently ranked the 22 nd prospect in the Rangers organization according to Baseball America. Matt Wisler, Baseball America s top pitching prospect in the Padres system, collected a league-leading 35 strikeouts through the month of April for San Antonio. Wisler, the two-time 2013 Texas League Pitcher of the Week posted a 2.10 ERA (fourth among starting pitchers) and a miniscule 1.07 WHIP in 30.0 innings (third). Unfortunately for fans in San Antonio and throughout the Texas League, Wisler received a well-earned promotion this week to the Padres AAA affiliate, El Paso. Following in the unheralded footsteps of 2013 Texas League Pitcher of the Year David Martinez, Corpus Christi s Thomas Shirley expanded his arsenal during the offseason which may have contributed to his hot start to the 2014 season. The lefty alternated between the bullpen and starting rotation throughout April, amassing 34 strikeouts (second in the league) in 28.1 innings with a 1.27 ERA (third) and a 0.78 WHIP (third). I worked hard on my curveball and changeup to keep hitters off my (primary pitch) fastball. While he had an exceptional month, Shirley does not want to stop there. There are still things I can improve on in the months coming up. If he continues to do so in impressive fashion, Shirley will not go unnoticed for much longer.

3 Tulsa s Daniel Winkler, the 2013 California League Pitcher of the Year, had one of the best months of any pitcher in Minor League Baseball. Winkler, who was named Texas League Pitcher of the Week for April 21 st -27 th recorded three wins (first in the TL) in April. The 2013 MiLB strikeout leader with 175 Ks a season ago fanned 33 batters (third) and led every starting pitcher in the league with a 0.90 ERA and 0.73 WHIP. The Texas League of Professional Baseball Clubs congratulates and recognizes these five players for their remarkable months of April.

4 Former Drillers impress Rockies GM By Barry Lewis -- Tulsa World Sports Writer 5/4/14 After the Milwaukee Brewers, the biggest surprise in the major leagues this season has been the Colorado Rockies. The Rockies, after three consecutive losing seasons, including a record in 2013, entered Saturday night with an record, one game behind San Francisco in the National League's West Division. Part of Colorado's resurgence can be traced to offseason moves that have turned out very well, with the main one being the acquisition of pitcher Jordan Lyles and outfielder Brandon Barnes from the Houston Astros for former Tulsa Drillers center fielder Dexter Fowler. Lyles, who began the year with a career record, is 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA in six starts, and Barnes is batting.328. Meanwhile, Fowler is struggling at.237. Another big factor in the Rockies' success is former Drillers outfielder Charlie Blackmon, who had bounced between the Rockies and Triple-A Colorado Springs during the past three seasons. Blackmon entered Saturday as the majors' second-leading hitter at.380 just behind teammate and former Drillers shortstop Troy Tulowitzki at.385. Former Drillers third baseman Nolan Arenado also is an all-star candidate, as he has a 22-game hitting streak and is off to a great start toward a second straight Gold Glove. Only three major league general managers have held their positions longer than the Rockies' Dan O'Dowd, who has been in that role since Below is an interview I conducted with O'Dowd on Thursday during his visit to watch Rockies prospects with the Double-A Drillers at ONEOK Field. Q: How would you evaluate the major league team's first month of the season? A: "I like our club a lot. (Manager) Walt (Weiss) and his staff have done a great job. We have a great group of guys, and they fit very well together." Q: Has Blackmon surprised you by being one of the league's hitting leaders? For full article, go to:

5 Promotions show power arms on horizon By Drew Davison Fort Worth Star-Telegram 5/3/14 Power arms are not lacking in the Texas Rangers system. Look no further than the organization s moves Saturday. Matt West, a hard-throwing right-hander from Houston, is going to Triple A Round Rock from Double A Frisco. But the Rangers gave the RoughRiders another power arm by sending them righty Keone Kela from High A Myrtle Beach. And the Pelicans weren t left empty handed, as they got Abel De Los Santos from Low A Hickory. The chain reaction was felt throughout the system, and it could have an effect on the big league team at some point, with the 25-year-old West being a step closer to the big leagues. West, who is on the Rangers 40-man roster, has always been viewed as a power arm who could become a factor in the big leagues. He converted from infielder to pitcher before the 2011 season and had little trouble in doing so. In his first season on the mound, West combined to go 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA over 24 appearances, including 23 at Short A Spokane and one at High A Myrtle Beach, and was placed on the 40-man roster. He entered the 2012 season as the team s 10th-best prospect, according to Baseball America. But his 2012 season got off to a slow start when he was diagnosed with a strained ligament in his right elbow during spring training. He rehabbed and made his season debut on June 17, but ultimately needed Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery on Aug. 22. The Tommy John surgery derailed West s progress. He made only one appearance last season, but he has re-established himself this year. West had an 0.68 ERA over eight appearances with the RoughRiders, striking out 10 and walking only two over 13 1/3 innings. He also converted three save opportunities. Two things about Matt West First, he s healthy again and is able to locate his fastball down in the zone; second he s been throwing his curveball extremely well, said Danny Clark, the Rangers minor-league pitching coordinator. For full article, go to:

6 Wisdom learning ways of Double-A By Kary Booher -- Springfield News-Leader -- 5/3/14 Prospect third baseman Patrick Wisdom leaned a left shoulder against a clubhouse wall and couldn't help but sigh, sort of the way a blue-collar guy kicks off his steel-toe boots after a long day. What a Friday night it had been. Northwest Arkansas Naturals shortstop Angel Franco (22) leaps while turning a double play during Friday's minor league baseball game against the Springfield Cardinals at Hammons Field on May 2, 2014 in Springfield. (David Welker/For the News-Leader) (Photo: David Welker David Welker/For the News-Leader) Less than 24 hours after he powered his first home run of the season a three-run, oppositefield blast Wisdom powered a run-scoring double. Even better, two fine defensive plays could well land on the Springfield Cardinals' postseason highlight DVD. And yet he also struck out three times and came oh-so-close to a shot at redemption. You see, he was on deck, representing the tying run, when the game ended in an 8-5 loss to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. "As bad as that game goes in the past, you always want that moment. And I take pride in those moments," Wisdom said. "I love being that guy in that situation. You're trying to help your team win." For Wisdom, his mixed-bag of a performance arguably is the rite of passage that could ready him for that next step. And it's easy to wonder. Despite being only 22, he's sort of the old-school third baseman with the man forearms often seen of big-leaguers. That and his overall play Friday night was as much a storyline as the Naturals' win before 4,703 at Hammons Field. Justin Trapp's squeeze bunt broke a 3-3 tie in the seventh and Whit Merrifield followed with a two-run triple. But there was Wisdom, too. All over the place. This for a player who is only two years removed from St. Mary's (Calif.) University he was the 52 nd overall selection of the 2013 draft and whom the Cardinals aggressively pushed this season. For full article, go to:

7 Naturals Spotlight: Malcom Culver at the Core of the Bullpen By Northwest Arkansas Naturals PR Department -- 4/30/14 SPRINGDALE, Ark. -- The Northwest Arkansas pitching staff has been heating up of late and seeing multiple hurlers with an ERA that is getting smaller. The bullpen went through a stretch where it did not give up a run in 10 straight innings across 3 games from April and allowed just one run during four games, 13 innings for a 0.69 ERA, stretching from April 25 th until April 28 th. Along with stellar performers by Andrew Triggs and Cody Fassold, right-handed Malcom Culver is at the heart of the relief core. Leading the Naturals pitching staff in two important categories, Culver has three wins on the season and has saved two games tying him with Triggs atop the Naturals' leaderboard. Culver is a native of Palmdale, California and is in his first full season with the Naturals. The right-handed pitcher appeared in one game for Northwest Arkansas in 2013 and tossed two shutout innings in a preview of the year ahead. Born on February 9, 1990, Culver has been a stable arm out of the Naturals' bullpen. He has appeared in nine games for Northwest Arkansas trailing only southpaw Scott Alexander who has appeared in 10 contests. The Naturals have used Culver exclusively out of the bullpen in He began the year allowing earned runs in just one of his first six appearances, 8.1 innings and has three wins over his past four outings. The 24-year-old hurler has really enjoyed pitching at Arvest Ballpark this season posting a 1.50 ERA. He has surrendered two runs, one earned, through six innings. Just as impressive, Culver has inherited seven base runners on the season and has only allowed one to score. He also struck out a season-high five hitters through two frames at home on April 22 against Springfield and has fanned 15 batters overall in 14.1 innings of work. For full article, go to: =news_t1350&sid=t1350

8 Campbell and crew keep RockHounds rolling Midland groundskeeper deals with dust storms, deadly creatures By Benjamin Hill -- MiLB.com -- 05/05/2014 It doesn't rain much in Midland, Texas, so the RockHounds' grounds crew rarely has to deal with the necessary evil that is the tarp pull. Drying agents and squeegees stay in the groundskeeper's shed, and ponchos almost never have to be worn. A world free from delays and rainouts might sound like a Minor League Baseball dream come true, but be careful what you wish for. Eric Campell is head groundskeeper for the Midland RockHounds, and his job is not easy. Disastrous weather and lethal critters are all part of a day's work. During a recent RockHounds game, I wandered over to Campbell's shed, located down a path off the first-base concourse, and landed an exclusive interview in which he talked about the trials and travails of his job. MiLB.com: How did you end up as the groundskeeper for the Midland RockHounds? Eric Campbell: I'm from Kansas, originally, and didn't want to work in the freezing cold. And it's in the Midwest, so I'm not flying home when I when I want to see my family. And it was the first place that offered me a job [laughs]. MiLB.com: Groundskeeping often means pulling tarps and dealing with wet fields, but you have to deal with other kinds of problems? Campbell: Yeah, in Midland it's high winds and wondering when we're going to get the next dust storm. And there are all kinds of deadly animals out here. We've got tarantulas, scorpions, bats... MiLB.com: Whoa, okay, let's take things one at a time. So what strategies do you have when it comes to dealing with dust storms? Campbell: We've got to water down our dirt, that's for sure For most people it's just watering a couple days before the homestand to get moisture, but we have to do it even on the weekends. If we get a weekend off, we'll still be out here watering, keeping it packed down. MiLB.com: And if you hear a forecast that says strong winds are coming, do you make the field even wetter? For full article, go to: _l109&sid=l109

9 Big goal propels Springfield Cardinal ahead By Kary Booher -- Springfield News-Leader -- 4/28/14 A wave of its native sons have gone on to the big leagues, and so imagine the starry-eyed kids on the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico where baseball rules. You think they were awestruck whenever a big-leaguer came around? Jonathan Rodriguez, now of the Springfield Cardinals, can tell you all about it because, well, he ll never forget it. Gold Glove catcher Ivan Pudge Rodriguez once signed an autograph for him. But, even better, Juan Gonzalez one of the game s best right-handed hitters pre-albert Pujols was the godfather of one of Rodriguez s best friends in high school. Advice went in one ear but not out the other. At that moment, you start taking stuff more serious. He had great advice for us, Rodriguez said recently. He would give pointers, from a Latin perspective, of what was expected in the States: They expect you to understand the language, be on time and be accountable for your actions. By him saying that, it was eye-opening. Now look who s trying to open eyes himself. In short time with Double-A Springfield, Rodriguez has created an interesting narrative: a burgeoning slugger whose nifty footwork and soft hands around the first-base bag could finally vault him on to the prospect radar. Teammates on the Cardinals see it, too, as they open a four-game homestand tonight against the Kansas City Royals Double-A club, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. After all, this is a 6-foot-2, 215-pound man who stole 21 of 25 bases last season in the high Class A Florida State League. The guy can move. He s also got the power to pop balls over the fence and an engaging personality to match. Now all wonder if Rodriguez can seize the moment. For full article, go to:

10 Muncy keeping clear mind Midland first baseman not letting outside forces muddle his approach By Todd Traub -- Special to MiLB.com -- 04/29/14 For awhile last season, it looked like the fate of Max Muncy's career as a power hitter was up in the air. When the Oakland A's first-base prospect saw his first bid for a Double-A homer get knocked down in the fierce Midland wind last season, Muncy was sure he was going to have to adapt his game to his new environment. "I thought it was a home run, and it was 50 feet short of the wall," said Muncy, who returned to Midland at the start of this season after finishing up with the RockHounds in "It just caught up in the wind and right away I was a little shocked. So I started trying to put the ball on the ground, go the other way and do stuff that wasn't really me." After batting.285 with 21 home runs in the California League at Stockton, Muncy scuffled early in his 47 games with the RockHounds, though he improved steadily, hitting.293 in August to finish his first Double-A stint with a.250 average and four homers. Muncy admitted the ballpark in Class A Advanced Stockton, favorable to left-handed hitters, gave him a boost as he finished with an organization-best 25 long balls and 100 RBIs, but he's learned not to let the wind in Texas, or any other challenges, get in his head this season. "I've already hit some balls that have gotten caught up in the wind and that's just how it's going to be in this league," he said. "The key is to not let it affect who you are and how your swing is. If you do that, then you're already going to be losing." Muncy, hitting.288 with one homer so far, prefers to focus on what worked in 2013, like the adjustment in his swing that he said reduced topspin to his pull side while increasing backspin, helping him to put up last year's numbers. "Power has always been there," said Muncy, listed at six-foot, 190 pounds. "It was just getting the ball to travel better. When it has topspin, it doesn't go very far." Cleveland was interested in Muncy, 23, as a catcher out of high school in Keller, Texas. But Muncy said he wasn't prepared to play catcher full time -- he only played there his junior year because of injuries to the starter -- nor was he ready for the rigors of pro ball, so he opted to go to Baylor. For full article, go to: =news_l109&sid=l109

11 Player of the Week, April 28-May 4 3B Kaleb Cowart, Arkansas Travelers.419 AVG (13-for-31), 9 runs, 12 RBI, 3 HR, 3 2B, 2 SB, 6 extra base hits, 25 TB,.419 OBP,.806 SLG, OPS After struggling a bit since his explosive start to the season, Kaleb Cowart pounded each of the Travelers division rivals on the way to winning this week s Player of the Week Award. Hitting safely in all seven games last week (one versus Springfield, four against Tulsa, and two at Northwest Arkansas), Cowart hit.419, with three homeruns and 12 RBIs. A model of consistency all week, not only did he hit safely in all seven games, but also drove in a run in all seven and scored a run in the first six games. While posting league-leading numbers in runs, extra-base hits, total bases, homeruns, RBIs, and slugging percentage, Cowart s most impressive stretch came from May 1 st through May 3 rd in which he recorded a homerun in each contest. None were as important as his 15 th inning long ball on the 3 rd that sealed the Travs marathon win over state rival, Northwest Arkansas. The homerun was part of Cowart's 3-for-7 night with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. His most complete performance came in an 8-3 win over Tulsa on April 30 th in which he recorded two doubles during a 4-for-5 afternoon. The Cook County High School product was selected by the Angels in the 1 st round of the 2010 draft with the 18 th overall pick. Baseball America ranked Cowart the number-three overall prospect in the Angels organization for 2014, while MLB.com rated the third baseman as the Halos number-one prospect.

12 Pitcher of the Week, April 28-May 4 RHP Jerad Eickhoff, Frisco RoughRiders 1-0 (W-L), 0.00 ERA, 0.41 WHIP, 7.1 Innings Pitched, 7 Strikeouts,.083 Opposing Average Jerad Eickhoff earned Texas League Pitcher of the Week honors after an incredible outing on April 30 th in a 2-1 win over San Antonio. The Evansville, Indiana native made just one start last week, but made the most of the opportunity. The righty threw 7.1 innings, earning his second win of the season. In the outing, the Mater Dei High School (IN) graduate allowed just two hits and one walk, while he struck out seven Missions batters. The seven K s brings Eickhoff s season total to 26. The right-hander was drafted out of the Olney Central Community College (IL) in the 15 th round of the 2011 draft by Texas. Eickhoff recorded 13 wins in 2012 at Class A Hickory, good for second all-time in the team s history. While at Olney, he was voted the 2011 Great Rivers Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year.

13 North Division Notes 4/28-5/4 Arkansas Travelers Los Angeles Angels Affiliate This Week: 6-1; Overall Record: nd Place North Division Monday, April 28: W, 7-5 vs Springfield Arkansas jumped to a 7-2 lead through four innings, then withstood a Springfield comeback to take the series finale, 7-5, at Dickey-Stephens Park. The first four batters in the lineup each recorded at least one hit during the contest, including Adam Melker s three-hit night and Alex Yarbrough s two base knocks. Kramer Sneed (3-2) started on the mound for the Travs and, although he had a shaky outing, giving up all five Springfield runs on nine hits during his five frames, got the win thanks to the productive Travs offense. Ryan Chaffee, Brandon Sisk, R.J. Alvarez, and Cam Bedrosian (S, 1) each tossed a shutout frame, preventing a Springfield comeback. Jett Bandy (three) and Kaleb Cowart (two) combined to drive in five of the Travelers seven runs. Bandy s two-run single in the third put the home side ahead 6-2. Tuesday, April 29: W, Tulsa Arkansas parlayed a big six-run, sixth inning into a 9-4 victory over Tulsa at ONEOK Field. The Travs sent ten men to the plate during the onslaught, which included six hits, two stolen bases, a balk, and a Tulsa error. Yeiper Castillo (2-2) got the start for Arkansas, tossing five innings, while allowing three runs. Leadoff hitter Kyle Hudson had a huge game at the plate, driving in two runs and scoring twice during his 3-for-4 night. Catcher Anderson De La Rosa drove in a pair with his sixth inning double before he scored the ninth and final Travs run of the game. Brandon Sisk, Kevin Johnson, and R.J. Alvarez combined to toss the final four frames, and the trio allowed just one run on four hits, while they struck out six batters. Wednesday, April 30: W, 8-3 Tulsa In a 12-hit, 8-3 win, Arkansas was led by Kaleb Cowart s huge 4-for-5 day. Cowart drove in a pair of Travs runs and scored two of his own. Mark Sappington (1-3) got the start for Arkansas and pitched seven outstanding innings, allowing just two runs on four hits. Ryan Chaffee came on in relief of Sappington and tossed the final three innings, allowing just one unearned run. Adam Workman s first homerun of the season, a two-run shot in the second put the Travelers ahead 4-0. Brian Hernandez (three), Adam Melker (three), and Zach Borenstein (two) all had multi-hit games for the Travs, while combining to drive in four of the Travs eight runs.

14 Thursday, May 1: W, Tulsa In a 7-2 victory at Tulsa, Arkansas starter Orangel Arenas rebounded after struggling in a two-run first inning, tossing five more innings of scoreless baseball before handing the ball to the bullpen who also held the Drillers in check. The Travs answered with seven unanswered runs, including a fourth inning that saw the Travs score four times on four hits, a walk, stolen base and a wild pitch. Left fielder Andy Workman concluded the inning s scoring with a two-out, two-run double to left field. Through the first five innings, all nine Travs batters hit safely at least once. Arenas (1-1) struck out six Tulsa batters in his six innings of work, while allowing just five hits and no walks. Four Travs batters had two hits in the game including Kaleb Cowart, who went 2-for-4 with a two-run homerun, a double, and three RBIs and two runs. Alex Yarbrough, Brian Hernandez, and Jett Bandy also had two of the Travelers 13 hits in the win. Friday, April 2: L, Tulsa Arkansas fell 4-2 at ONEOK Field as Tulsa starting pitcher Daniel Winkler held Travs batters to just two runs on five hits. Arkansas scored the first run of the game on Zach Borenstein s RBI double, but were then held hitless by Winkler until Kaleb Cowart s seventh inning solo homerun that was the Travs final run of the game. Arkansas starting pitcher Drew Rucinksi (2-2) struggled in his five innings of work, as the righty surrendered six hits and all four Tulsa runs. Saturday, April 3: W, Northwest Arkansas (15 innings) In the top of the 15 th inning, Travs third baseman Kaleb Cowart blasted his third homerun in three days, helping the Travs claim a 5-4 win in the first game of the 2014 Arkansas Diamond Series. After both sides traded a run in the 14 th, Cowart drove the first pitch he saw in the 15 th over the right field wall at Arvest Ballpark. Arkansas starting pitcher Kramer Sneed, who struck out six, allowed the first three Northwest runs in his 5.1 innings of work. Catcher Anderson De La Rosa and Adam Melker paced the Travelers 16 hit attack with four each, while Kyle Hudson and Brian Hernandez had two each. After allowing a Naturals run in the 14 th, Cam Bedrosian pitched a perfect 15 th, picking up his first win of the season. Five Travs hurlers combined for 14 strikeouts in the game, including Sneed s six and Ryan Chaffee s four K s. Sunday, April 4: W, Northwest Arkansas In a 5-3 win at Northwest Arkansas, Travs second baseman Alex Yarbrough pounded four of Arkansas 13 hits, extending his hitting streak to 12 games. Travelers starter Yeiper Castillo (3-2) allowed all three NWA runs on eight hits in his 5.2 innings of work, but received the win thanks to the timely Travs hitting. In the top of the fifth, Brian Hernadez stroked a two-rbi double as part of a three-run Travelers rally that put the visitors ahead for good, 4-3. David Carpenter earned his second save of the season after striking out the final two batters of the game after issuing a one-out walk. In addition to Yarbrough s four-hit afternoon, left fielder Zach Borenstein and catcher Jett Bandy collected two apiece in the win, while eight of the nine Arkansas starters recorded at least one hit.

15 Monday, April 28: L, 5-1 vs Tulsa Northwest Arkansas Naturals Kansas City Royals Affiliate This Week: 3-4; Overall Record: th Place North Division Northwest starter Sam Selman struggled in his outing, surrendering two homers and all four Tulsa runs in the first inning. Selman (1-2) allowed eight hits and issued two walks in his four frames of work. The Naturals bats were quiet in the game, as they were held to just six hits by Tulsa pitching. First baseman Juan Graterol collected two of the Drillers six hits. Pitchers Greg Billo and Scott Alexander were two bright spots for the Naturals in the game, as the pair shutout the Drillers over the final five innings, combining to strike out seven. Tuesday, April 29: W, Springfield Entering the top of the ninth down 4-2, Northwest Arkansas pounded Cards closer Dean Kiekhefer for seven runs on seven hits, then held off Springfield in the bottom of the frame, winning 9-7. As part of the big seven-run inning, Lane Adams stroked a two-run double and Mark Threlkeld drove a two-run homerun over the right center field wall. Malcom Culver (3-1) allowed three Cards runs on a two-out double in the bottom half of the ninth, before he induced the final out to preserve the win. Justin Trapp, Jorge Bonifacio, Whit Merrifield and Angel Franco each collected two of the Naturals 13 hits, as all nine batters hit safely and collected a run or RBI. Franco opened the game s scoring with a solo homerun in the third. Wednesday, April 30: W, Springfield Northwest Arkansas third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert had a huge day at the plate, belting two homeruns in the Naturals 6-4 win over Springfield. In the top of the third with the game tied at two, Cuthbert gave NWA a 4-2 lead when he drove his first homerun over the left field fence. He followed with a solo shot in the fifth inning, extending the Naturals lead to 5-2. After NWA starter J.C. Sulbaran allowed a two-run Cards homerun in the bottom of the fifth that cut the lead to 5-4, Andrew Triggs (2-0) came on in relief and tossed 3.2 innings of shutout baseball. The Naturals added an insurance run in the top half of the ninth on Lane Adams run-scoring single, before Northwest closer Scott Alexander shut down the Cardinals in order in the ninth, earning his second save of the season. In addition to Cuthbert s pair of long balls, Whit Merrifield and Juan Graterol also had two-hit nights. Thursday, May 1: L, Springfield In a 7-3 loss at Springfield s Hammons Field, Northwest Arkansas starter Jason Adam struggled in his 5.1 innings of work, allowing seven runs on eight hits. Naturals third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert continued his hot streak at the plate when he blasted a two-run, game-tying homerun in the sixth inning. However, Adam (0-4) gave up four Cards runs in the bottom half of the inning that capped the winning 7-3 margin and sent the righty to a league high fourth loss. In addition to Cuthbert s two hit night, Mark Threlkeld was another bright spot for the Naturals, as he collected three of the nine NWA hits in the game.

16 Friday, April 2: W, Springfield Northwest Arkansas left fielder Whit Merrifield paced the Naturals 8-5 victory over Springfield with a 3-for-4, two run and three RBI night. NWA starting pitcher Tim Melville had an excellent day on the mound, tossing six innings with six strikeouts. Melville (1-1) and three other Naturals pitchers allowed just one earned run, as Northwest struggled in the field with three errors. Jorge Bonifacio had a productive night at the plate for the Naturals, going 2- for-4 with a run and an RBI. Lane Adams, who entered the game in the seventh, finished with one hit and a walk in two plate appearances, while scoring twice. Saturday, April 3: L, 5-4 vs Arkansas (15 innings) Northwest Arkansas dropped a heartbreaking 5-4 loss to their in-state rival Arkansas Travelers, after surrendering a leadoff homerun in the 15 th inning. Northwest starter Sam Selman tossed five excellent innings of shutout ball, striking out six Travs batters in the process. The Naturals took an early 3-0 lead after four innings, led by Jorge Bonifacio s first-inning, two-run double. However, the Travs evened the score with three runs in the sixth off reliever Greg Billo. Both sides traded a run in the 14 th inning, knotting the score at four. Mark Threlkeld scored the tying run after he walked, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, then advanced to third and home after two Travs wild pitches. NWA reliever Noel Arguelles (0-2), who was pitching his fourth inning of the game, surrendered a leadoff homerun on the first pitch of the 15 th. The home side lost after being unable to respond with a run in the bottom half of the frame. Four Naturals hurlers combined to strikeout 16 Travs batters in the game. Jorge Bonifacio was the only Natural with a multi-hit game. He collected three of the Naturals eight hits in the contest. Sunday, April 4: L, 5-3 vs Arkansas In a 5-3 loss to Arkansas at Arvest Ballpark, Northwest starter Andy Ferguson (1-2) struggled to contain the Travelers bats in his 4.1 innings of work, as he surrendered four runs on 10 hits. A trio of Naturals batters, Jorge Bonifacio, Whit Merrifield, and Mark Threlkeld each collected two of the home side s nine hits. In the bottom of the sixth, Threlkeld blasted his fifth homerun, a two-run shot that cut the Travs lead to 4-3.

17 Monday, April 28: L, Arkansas Springfield Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals Affiliate This Week 1-6; Overall Record: rd Place North Division Springfield starting pitcher Sam Gaviglio took his league high fourth loss after he surrendered all seven Travs runs through the first four innings. Down 7-2, the Cards mounted a strong comeback in the fifth when they scored three times cutting the deficit to two. However, the game would remain 7-5 in favor of the Travs the rest of the way. Eight of the nine Springfield batters recorded a hit in the contest, led by catcher Cody Stanley s perfect 4-for-4 night. Designated hitter Curt Smith also had a multi-hit effort with a pair of hits, including a two-run homerun that was part of the big fifth inning. Ryan Sheriff, who entered the fifth in relief of Gaviglio, and Danny Miranda combined to throw the final four frames, the pair shutting out Arkansas on just two hits. Tuesday, April 29: L, 9-7 vs Northwest Arkansas Springfield closer Dean Kiekhefer was touched for seven runs on seven hits and a balk which led to the Cards 9-7 loss to Northwest Arkansas. Kiekhefer (0-1) entered the game having tossed 9.1 shutout innings. Trailing, 9-4 entering the bottom of the ninth, the Cardinals scored three times, all of them coming in when Curt Smith stroked a bases-loaded double to center, before being retired. Jonathan Cornelius got the start for Springfield and tossed his third consecutive quality start, with eight strikeouts and just two runs allowed through six innings of work. David Popkins led the Cardinals at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and a homerun and four RBIs. Matt Williams and James Ramsey also collected two hits apiece in the game, while all nine Springfield batters reached first at least once in the game. Wednesday, April 30: L, 6-4 vs Northwest Arkansas In a 6-4 loss at Hammons Field, Springfield committed three errors, while starter Kurt Heyer surrendered two costly homeruns to Naturals third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert. Heyer (2-2) allowed five runs in 5.2 innings of work, only three of which were earned, all on the Cuthbert homeruns. The Cards bats sprayed eight hits in the contest, including James Ramsey s two-run homerun in the bottom of the fifth that cut the Naturals lead to 5-4. However, Springfield was unable to score another run after the Ramsey bomb. Ramsey opened the game s scoring with a run-producing groundout in the first, while Travis Tartamella knocked in the second Cards run in the second, as part of his 2-for-4 night.

18 Thursday, May 1: W, 7-3 vs Northwest Arkansas Springfield broke a 2-2 tie when they exploded for four runs in the bottom of the sixth en route to a 7-3 home win against Northwest Arkansas. Springfield scored three times in the second to take an early 3-1 lead, capped by Mike O Neill s two-run double. After Cards starter Kyle Hald gave up a two-out, two-run homerun in the top of the sixth that erased the lead, relievers Joey Donofrio (1-0) Justin Wright (S, 1) combined to shutout the Naturals over the final 3.1 innings. The Springfield bats took charge in the fourth, scoring four times, three coming home when Patrick Wisdom hit his first homerun of the season, a blast to right. Wisdom led the way at the plate for Springfield, collecting two of the Cards nine hits while he scored twice. Friday, April 2: L, 8-5 vs Northwest Arkansas In an 8-5 loss to Northwest Arkansas, all three Cards pitchers allowed at least a run, on a total of eight hits and six walks. Seth Blair (2-1) suffered his first defeat after the Arizona State product allowed four runs on four hits and five walks in six innings of work. After issuing a leadoff walk in the seventh, Danny Miranda relieved Blair and allowed three more NWA runs in the inning on just one hit. The Cards took advantage of three Northwest errors in the game, scoring four unearned runs, including two in a ninth inning rally. Cody Stanley and Luis Mateo each had two hits in the contest, as the pair combined for half of the Cards eight hits in the loss. Saturday, April 3: L, 8-3 vs Tulsa In front of 5,807 Cards faithful, Springfield dropped its first game of the season against North Division rivals Tulsa, 8-3 after three relievers allowed six Drillers run in the final two frames. Springfield starter Sam Gaviglio recorded a quality start, tossing six innings of two-run ball with five strikeouts. The Cards struck for all three runs in the sixth inning getting three consecutive run-scoring base hits from James Ramsey, Curt Smith, and David Popkins. Ronnie Shaban (0-2), Logan Billbrough, and Anthony Ferrara allowed the six late Tulsa runs, four coming in as the result of three homeruns. On offense, Rafael Ortega, Curt Smith and Greg Miclat each recorded two of the home side s eight hits. Sunday, April 4: L, 7-3 vs Tulsa In a 7-3 loss to Tulsa in front of nearly 8,000 Springfield fans, a pair of rehabbing St. Louis Cardinals pitchers had decidedly mixed results. After Jaime Garcia gave up a second-inning, two-run homer, he had to leave the game in the bottom of the inning after being hit in the elbow with a bases-loaded pitch from Tyler Anderson. Jason Motte pitched a perfect eighth, striking out all three batters he faced. Jonathan Cornelius (2-3), who relieved Garcia, took the loss after allowing two runs in 3.1 innings. David Popkins and Matt Williams each had two of the Cardinals seven hits.

19 Monday, April 28: W, Northwest Arkansas Tulsa Drillers Colorado Rockies Affiliate This Week: 4-3; Overall Record: st Place North Division In a 5-1 win at Northwest Arkansas, Tulsa blasted two homeruns in the first inning to take an early 4-0 lead, backing Jon Gray, who struck out six batters in 5.1 shutout innings. Gray (2-2), Carlos Hernandez, and Scott Oberg (S, 5) combined to limit Naturals batters to just one run on six hits, while they struck out nine. Taylor Featherston started the four-run first when he drove the third pitch of the game over the left field wall. Brian Humphries capped the rally when he added a two-run shot later in the inning. The Drillers, who sprayed 12 hits in the game, were led by Featherston, who was 3-for-4 during the morning contest. Ryan Casteel, Harold Riggins, and Jayson Langfels each collected two hits for Tulsa. Oberg s fifth save of the year tied him for the league lead. Tuesday, April 29: L, 9-4 vs Arkansas In a 9-4 loss to Arkansas, Tulsa committed four costly errors in the game that led to five unearned runs. Starting pitcher Tyler Anderson tossed five innings, striking out five batters, while surrendering three runs, all of which were unearned thanks to a trio of Drillers errors. With the score tied at three Nelson Gonzalez (1-1) entered the game in the sixth in relief of Anderson, but he was unable to make it out of the inning, as the Travs struck for six runs in the frame. Tulsa managed just six hits in the game from six different batters. Wednesday, April 30: L, 8-3 vs Arkansas Tulsa dropped an 8-3 decision to Arkansas, after Drillers pitchers Richard Castillo (1-2) and Ryan Arrowood surrendered all eight runs on 14 hits in eight combined innings of work. Designated hitter Christian Adames was the only Tulsa batter to grab two hits in the Drillers eight-hit attack in the loss. Ryan Casteel drove in Tulsa s first run in the sixth with a double then hit a mishandled grounder that allowed the Drillers third and final run to score. Thursday, May 1: L, 7-2 vs Arkansas With a 7-2 loss at ONEOK Field, Tulsa dropped their fifth straight home game after Rockies prospect Eddie Butler struggled through six innings of work. Butler (1-3), who had not allowed more than three runs in any of his previous five starts, surrendered the Travs first five scores of the game on 11 hits and a walk. Tulsa jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first, sparked by leadoff doubles from designated hitter Taylor Featherston and catcher Tom Murphy. Featherston collected four of Tulsa s six hits in the loss with a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate.

20 Friday, April 2: W, 4-2 vs Arkansas In a 4-2 win over Arkansas, Tulsa starting pitcher Daniel Winkler (4-1) continued his remarkable start to the season, recording eight strikeouts in seven innings, while allowing just two runs and five hits. Winkler s quality start was his fourth in six starts this season. The righty has not allowed more than two runs in any of the six. The Drillers bats provided enough offense for their hurler, led by Ryan Casteel s 2-for-4, three RBI night at the plate. In addition to Casteel s big night, the top two hitters in the lineup, Taylor Featherston and Delta Clearly, Jr. each collected two of the Drillers eight hits. Scott Oberg recorded his sixth save the season, tying him for the league lead. Saturday, April 3: W, Springfield Tulsa scored six times in the final two frames, taking a come-from-behind 8-3 win at Springfield s Hammons Field. The Drillers took a 2-0 lead after plating a run each in the first and fourth innings. After starter Jon Gray allowed three runs and 3-2 Cards lead in the sixth, the Drillers drove three homeruns as part of their five run comeback. Tyler Massey s two-run blast in the 8 th, Jared Simon s solo homer in 8 th and Taylor Featherston s one-run shot in the 9 th were the second long ball for each this season. Gray was outstanding through the first five innings, allowing no runs on three hits with five strikeouts. Winning pitcher Ken Roberts (2-1) relieved Gray in the seventh and tossed two shutout innings with two strikeouts. Featherston (three), Delta Cleary, Jr. (two), Jayson Langels (two), and Simon (two) all recorded multi-hit games in the Drillers win, while every position player collected at least one hit. Sunday, April 4: W, Springfield In their 7-3 win at Springfield, Tulsa used three homeruns to score all of their runs. Harold Riggins opened the scoring in the game when poked a two-run shot in the second off rehabbing St. Louis Cardinal Jaime Garcia. After Drillers starter Tyler Anderson (3-1) allowed two Springfield runs in the bottom half of the frame, Tulsa catcher Tom Murphy blasted his own two-run shot in the sixth. In the ninth, Jared Simon extended the visitors lead to 7-2 with a three-run long ball to right center field. As part of a 13-hit attack, five different Drillers collected two hits each in the win, Riggins, Murphy, Simon, Jayson Langfels and Tyler Massey.

21 South Division Notes 4/28-5/4 Monday, April 28: W, 11-2 vs Frisco Corpus Christi Hooks Houston Astros Affiliate This Week: 2-5; Overall Record rd Place South Division Using seven extra-base hits and outstanding pitching, Corpus Christi clobbered Frisco 11-2 in the series finale at Whataburger Field. Pitchers Luis Cruz, Ruben Alaniz, and Michael Dimock (1-0) combined to hold Frisco to two runs on just five hits, while the three struck out six batters. Eight of the nine Corpus Christi batters hit safely and scored a run in the game, led by right fielder Preston Tucker s three hits, which included a homerun and a double. Tucker also scored twice and had three RBIs. Andrew Aplin and Jiovanni Mier each collected a pair of hits for the Hooks, while Aplin launched a two-run homerun in the seventh that increased the Corpus lead to 9-2. Catcher Rene Garcia also hit a longball in the contest, a solo shot in the fifth, that was his second of the season. Tuesday, April 29: L, Midland In a 9-8 walkoff loss to Midland, Corpus Christi reliever Jorge De Leon (1-2) blew his third save of the month, after he allowed four Hounds runs in the ninth. The Corpus bats exploded early with a seven-run second inning, using two walks, six hits and Chris Epps three-run homerun to push across their markers. However, the Hooks were able to score just one more run, which came in the ninth. Hooks starter Matt Heidenreich and Jordan Jankowski surrendered three runs in the sixth, which reduced the Corpus lead to 7-5. Epps and catcher Tyler Heineman led the Hooks at the plate, as each recorded three of the Hooks eight RBIs in the night. Wednesday, April 30: L, Midland Corpus Christi lost a late three-run lead for the second time in as many nights losing to Midland 5-4 at Security Bank Ballpark. The Hooks scored all four runs in the third inning three on a homer by Preston Tucker, but they were shutout through the remaining frames. Alex Sogard and Pat Urckfitz (0-1) combined to allow the four Hounds eighth inning runs on two hits, two walks, and a throwing error. Shortstop Nolan Fontana, center fielder Andrew Aplin, and catcher Rene Garcia each grabbed two of Corpus Christi s eight hits.

22 Thursday, May 1: L, Midland With a 6-5 defeat at Security Bank Ballpark, Corpus Christi dropped their third straight one-run decision to Midland. Amazingly, of the Hooks 13 losses this season, 11 have been by just one run. Hooks starting pitcher Brady Rogers (1-3) struggled in his 4.1 innings of work as he surrendered the Hounds first four runs, all of which came in the first inning. Leadoff batter Chris Epps drove a fifth-inning pitch over the rightfield wall that cut the Midland lead to 4-2. Corpus rallied in the ninth, scoring twice on three hits and a walk, but were unable to complete the comeback. Andrew Aplin had a big day at the plate for the Hooks, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, a triple, a walk and two runs. Shortstop Jiovanni Mier also collected three hits in the game. Friday, April 2: L, Midland Corpus Christi pitchers struggled in an 8-6 loss to Midland, allowing 13 Hounds hits in a loss that capped a series sweep. The Hooks used nine hits and took advantage of three Midland errors for their six runs. Corpus rallied in the ninth scoring twice when Andrew Aplin poked a two-run homerun, but fell just short for the fourth time in the series. Michael Dimock (1-1), who entered with a tie game in the fourth inning, and Andrew Robinson combined to allow the final seven Midland runs on ten hits in five innings of work. Aplin s homerun was a part of his 2-for-3 day with two walks and two runs scored. Saturday, April 3: W, 4-1 vs San Antonio In the first 1-37 Series game of the season, Corpus Christi defeated San Antonio 4-1, thanks to outstanding performances from Hooks pitchers Luis Cruz and Jordan Jankowski. Cruz (3-2) got the start for the Corpus and tossed five innings of one-run ball, while he struck out six Missions batters. In the bottom of the fifth, the Hooks bats struck for three runs, the rally capped by Nolan Fontana s two-out, two-run single to right field. After Cruz surrendered a leadoff double in the sixth, Jordan Jankowski entered the game and tossed four one-hit, five-strikeout innings, earning his first save of the season. Hooks third baseman Ryan Duffy blasted a solo homerun in the sixth which gave the Hooks their final 4-1 margin. It was Duffy s third long ball of the season. Fontana and catcher Rene Garcia each collected two of Corpus Christi s eight hits. Sunday, April 4: L, 6-4 vs San Antonio In a 6-4 loss at Whataburger Field, Hooks starting pitcher Kyle Smith made his Double-A debut, striking out six but allowed all six Missions runs in five innings of work. Smith surrendered three homeruns, including a solo shot on the first pitch of the game, as well as a two-run, infield popup single in the second that shortstop Jiovanni Mier lost in the sun. The Hooks plated all four of their runs in the fifth inning on just two hits thanks to a leadoff walk and a throwing error by San Antonio starter Devin Jones. Ryan Duffy and Tyler Heineman, who each had two, collected all of the Hooks four hits in the game, including Heineman s two-run triple in the fifth.

23 Monday, April 28: L, Corpus Christi Frisco RoughRiders Texas Rangers Affiliate This Week: 2-5; Overall Record nd Place South Division In an 11-2 loss to Corpus Christi, Frisco managed just two runs on five hits while the Riders pitching staff allowed 11 Hooks hits, including three homeruns. RoughRiders starting pitching Alec Asher (1-3) allowed seven runs on seven through his five innings of work, while relievers Jon Edwards and Ryan Rodebaugh surrendered the final four runs on four hits over the final three innings. Frisco struck for two runs in the fifth, but it was all the offense the Riders bats could muster in the game. Luis Sardinas made his return to Frisco after a brief spot stint with Frisco s parent club, the Texas Rangers, and recorded the only RoughRider RBI. Tuesday, April 29: L, San Antonio (10 innings) Frisco dropped a heartbreaking 9-7 decision to San Antonio, after allowing a two-run walkoff homerun in the bottom of the 10 th inning. Frisco took a 7-5 lead after four innings, but the Riders were unable to score again. Frisco sprayed 12 hits in the game, but their big night at the plate was not enough, as each of the four Riders pitchers, including loser Wilmer Font (1-1) allowed at least a run. Edwar Cabrera got the start for the Riders and surrendered five runs on nine hits in four innings of work. Ryan Rua poked his league-leading sixth homerun, a two-run blast off the top of the center field wall that put the Riders ahead, 6-5. Tomas Telis recorded three hits in the game for Frisco, while Luis Sardinas, Rougned Odor, Jake Smolinksi and Rua each collected two. Wednesday, April 30: W, San Antonio In a 2-1 win at San Antonio s Nelson Wolff Stadium, Frisco starter Jerad Eickhoff was masterful through 7.1 innings of work, as he allowed just one unearned run on two hits with seven strikeouts. In the top of the fourth, the Riders struck for the game s first run when Ryan Rua poked an RBI bloop single to right that scored Jake Smolinksi. In the bottom half of the frame, Eickoff induced a two-out, fly ball that left fielder Smolinksi could not handle, which allowed San Antonio to score the game-tying run. After recording the final out of the inning, Eickhoff and his relief, Francisco Mendoza (S, 3) combined to shutout San Antonio through the final five frames. Rougned Odor broke the 1-1 tie in the sixth when he blasted a leadoff solo homerun that hit the right field scoreboard for the game s deciding run. It was his fourth long ball of the season. Rua led the way at the plate for Frisco, collecting two of the Riders six hits in the contest.

24 Thursday, May 1: L, San Antonio Frisco scored just twice on eight hits and committed three errors in a 4-2 loss at San Antonio. Riders starter Luke Jackson entered the game with 14 career shutout innings against the Missions, but was unable to extend his scoreless streak any further after he allowed three of San Antonio s four runs on four hits and four walks through 5.2 innings of work. Riders second baseman Rougned Odor hit a third-inning line drive to rightfield, but Missions outfielder Yeison Asencio s wild throw into the stands allowed shortstop Luis Sardinas to score the game s first run. Later in the inning, Odor scored Frisco s final run on a Ryan Rya single. Odor had three hits in the game for the RoughRiders, while Jake Smolinski and Ryan Rua each collected a pair of base knocks. Friday, April 2: L, San Antonio Frisco lost their first series since the opening weekend of the season after dropping an 8-3 decision at San Antonio s Nelson Wolff Stadium. After jumping to an early 3-0 in the top of the third, Frisco starter Kyle Lotzkar (0-2) and Jon Edwards allowed all eight of San Antonio s runs over the next three frames. Frisco leadoff batter Luis Sardinas extended his league-leading hitting streak to 14 with a double in the first at-bat of the game. Sardinas, who was 2- for-4 in the loss, was the only Riders batter to record more than one hit, as the visitors managed just six hits in the contest. Saturday, April 2: W, 3-1 vs Midland In a 3-1 win against Midland, Frisco pitchers held the Hounds to just five hits and struck out seven batters, while the Riders bats sprayed 10 hits in their eight visits to the plate. Starting pitcher Alec Asher (2-3) tossed seven shutout innings, striking out seven while allowing just four hits. Luis Sardinas led the RoughRiders at the plate, going 3-for-4, missing the cycle by just a homerun. His double play partner, Rougned Odor also collected a trio of hits in the Frisco win, the two combining for six of the home side s 10. Francisco Mendoza allowed the first three batters in the RockHounds ninth to reach safely, allowing Midland their lone run, before retiring the next three batters to earn his fourth save of the season. Sunday, April 4: L, 4-2 vs Midland Frisco allowed all four Hounds runs in the third inning and were unable to complete a late rally losing to Midland, 4-2 in front of more than 10,000 Riders fans at Dr. Pepper Ballpark. Riders starting pitcher Edwar Cabrera surrendered the four runs on three and two walks, however just two of the runs were earned due to a fielding error in the inning. Frisco rallied in the eighth with four straight two-out singles that plated a pair of runs, but they were unable to complete the comeback. Left fielder Jake Smolinski (three) and third baseman Tomas Telis (two) collected five of the Riders seven hits.

25 Monday, April 28: L, San Antonio Midland RockHounds Oakland Athletics Affiliate This Week: 5-2; Overall Record: st Place South Division Midland leadoff batter Conner Crumbliss had a double, triple, stolen base and drove in two Hounds runs, but it was not enough as Midland dropped the finale of an eight game road trip 6-4 to San Antonio. Hounds starter Chris Jensen left after six innings, trailing 4-2. Crumbliss drove in Beau Taylor with the tying run when he ripped a triple down the right field line in the top of the seventh. However, with the score knotted 4-4, RockHounds reliever Ryan Doolitte (0-1) allowed the Missions to score twice in the bottom of the eighth after he issued a walk and three hits. Dusty Coleman blasted a seventh inning homerun that cut the Midland deficit to 4-3. It was his fourth of the season. Tuesday, April 29: W, 9-8 vs Corpus Christi Midland scored four times in the bottom of the ninth, the last run coming home on Anthony Aliotti s one-out walkoff single, allowing the Hounds to take a 9-8 come-from-behind win from Corpus Christi. Hounds starting pitcher Andrew Werner struggled, giving up six hits and seven runs, all of which came in the second inning. Murphy Smith entered in the second in relief of Werner in a 7-2 hole and was outstanding, throwing 4.1 innings of shutout baseball. The Hounds began to chip away at the Corpus lead in the sixth inning, when they struck for three runs, two coming home on a Beau Taylor single. Jesus Castillo (1-0) tossed the final three innings of relief and allowed just one run. Midland collected four hits and three walks in the four-run ninth, including a free pass to Conner Crumbliss, who became just the 16 th player in Texas League history to earn five walks in one game. Taylor led the way at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two runs and three RBIs. Dusty Coleman and Chad Oberacker each collected two hits, while Max Muncy earned three walks and a hit en route to his two runs scored. Including Crumbliss and Muncy s eight combined walks, Midland coaxed 12 bases on balls in the contest. Wednesday April 30: W, 5-4 vs Corpus Christi One night after a four-run ninth inning comeback, Midland produced another late-inning rally to beat Corpus Christi, 5-4. Trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the eighth, Jefry Marte ignited another four run uprising when he stroked a bases-loaded three-run double, before the next batter, Max Muncy drove him in with the game-winning run. Midland starter Drew Granier, who tossed five innings, was touched for all four Hooks runs, all of which came in the fourth inning. Jeff Urlaub, Ryan Dull (3-0), and Seth Frankoff (S, 5) pitched the final four innings, shutting out the Hooks on three hits. The Midland bats were quiet until the eighth, recording just two hits before the big frame, and just four in the game. Miles Head collected one of those early hits with a leadoff homerun in the third that produced the Hounds first run.

26 Thursday, May 1: W, 6-5 vs Corpus Christi In a 6-5 win over Corpus Christi, Midland scored four runs in the first inning, then withstood a ninth inning Hooks rally, taking their third straight one-run victory. The Hounds rapped five hits in the first frame, including Dusty Coleman s two-run ground rule double. RockHounds starter Shawn Haviland (1-1) allowed two runs on six hits in his five innings of work, exiting the game holding onto a 4-2 lead. Midland closer Seth Frankoff entered the contest with one out in the ninth and allowed two Hooks runs to score, but was able to close the game out with no further damage, earning a league-lead tying sixth save. Designated hitter Max Muncy led the Hounds at the plate, going 2- for-4 with two runs scored in the contest. Anthony Allioti and Miles Head also collected two hits each for the home side. Friday, April 2: W, 8-6 vs Corpus Christi Hounds third baseman Max Muncy led Midland to an 8-6 win over Corpus Christi and a four-game sweep of the Hooks, with his perfect 3-for-3 day that included a double, homerun and four RBIs. Midland struggled in the field, as they committed three errors which led to two of the Hooks six runs. However, Muncy and second baseman Hiroyuki Nakajima, who also recorded a trio of hits in his Double A debut, provided just enough offense to overcome the jittery defense. Blake Hassebrock (2-0) was credited with the win after he tossed 2.1 innings of relief, giving up just one earned run. Jefry Marte and Conner Crumbliss also contributed to Midland s 13 hit output, recording two hits apiece with three total runs scored. Saturday, April 2: L, Frisco In a 3-1 loss at Frisco, Midland was able to produce just five hits. Although he was credited with a quality start, starting pitcher Chris Jensen (2-1) was fortunate to hold Frisco to just three runs as he walked three and was tagged for 10 hits in his seven innings of work. Third baseman Jefry Marte collected two of the visitors five hits and drove in their lone run as part of a brief ninth inning rally that saw the first three Midland batters of the inning reach safely. However, the next three hitters were retired in order, snuffing out the Hounds threat. Sunday, April 4: W, Frisco Midland scored all four of their runs in the third inning, then withstood a late Frisco rally to take a 4-2 win at Dr. Pepper Ballpark. The Hounds used three hits, two walks and a Frisco fielding error during their third inning outburst. Midland starter Andrew Werner (1-2), who tossed five shutout innings of two-hit ball, earned his first win of the season. After reliever Murphy Smith allowed both Frisco runs in the eighth, Seth Frankoff entered the game and tossed 1.1 perfect innings, collecting his fifth save of the season. Midland shortstop Dusty Coleman had two base knocks in the win, including a wind-aided, RBI popup in the third.

27 Monday, April 28: W, 6-4 vs Midland San Antonio Missions San Diego Padres Affiliate This Week: 5-2; Overall Record: th Place South Division In a 6-4 home win over Midland, San Antonio snapped out of their offensive slump, as they used 12 hits to plate their six runs. James Needy started for the Missions, a day earlier than planned, after scheduled starter Devin Jones contracted the flu. The righty pitched brilliantly in the emergency start, tossing three hitless, shutout innings. The Missions took a 4-2 lead through the sixth inning on just two RBIs thanks to a pair of run-producing double plays. Austin Hedges grounded into both run-producing double plays in the second and fourth innings. Missions relievers Jeff Ibarra and Luis De La Cruz struggled through the middle innings, as the pair allowed all four Midland runs. Frank Garces (1-1) entered the game in the seventh and escaped the jam, before the Missions struck for the final two game-deciding runs in the eighth. Jerry Sullivan pitched a perfect ninth, earning his first Double-A save. Casey McElroy, Jason Hagerty, and Yeison Ascencio each collected three hits for the winners, while third baseman Bridger Hunt drove in two of the Missions six runs. Tuesday, April 29: W, 9-7 vs Frisco (10 innings) San Antonio won a thrilling come-from-behind, walk-off, extra-innings contest 9-7 when recently acquired Brian Bixler blasted a two-run homerun to left field in the bottom of the 10th. San Antonio scored four runs in the first, thanks to five straight hits in the inning, which included Rymer Liriano s three run triple. Kyle Gaedele began the bottom half of the second with a homerun to left field that broke a 4-4 tie. Missions starter Devin Jones, coming off a stomach virus, allowed six Frisco runs through three innings, before Matt Branham entered in relief. Branham surrendered one more run in the fourth, but combined with John Hussey, Dennis O Grady, and Johnny Barbato (2-1) to shutout the Riders through the final six frames. The Missions tied the game at seven with a run each in the sixth and seventh innings, including a Liriano moonshot to right-center field in the seventh. In addition to Liriano s two extra-base hits, the Missions collected six XBH s during their 16-hit night, while every San Antonio batter recorded at least one hit. Bixler led the Missions at the plate, going 4-for-6, with three RBIs and two runs scored. Bridger Hunt also had a multi-hit affair, going 2-for-4 with two runs. Wednesday, April 30: L, 2-1 vs Frisco In a 2-1 loss to Frisco, San Antonio had just two hits and managed to put just four men on base in the game. Missions starter Matt Wisler, who saw his remarkable 35-inning scoreless streak at Nelson Wolff stadium ended when he gave up a run-scoring bloop single in the fourth, was nevertheless outstanding through his five innings of work, as he struck out five Riders batters with just the one run allowed. San Antonio s lone run in the game came in as a result of a dropped fly ball in the bottom of the fourth. In the sixth, Adys Portillo (0-1) entered the game in relief of Wisler and promptly surrendered the eventual winning run when the first batter he faced, Rougned Odor pounded a long homer to right field.

28 Thursday, May 1: W, 4-2 vs Frisco In a 4-2 win over Frisco, San Antonio finally provided starting pitcher Josh Geer (1-3) with enough run support to collect his first victory of the 2014 season. In Geer s previous five starts this season, the Missions had scored just one unearned run in his 30 innings on the mound. After the Dallas native allowed two Frisco runs in the top of the third, the Missions bats responded with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the frame thanks to a fielding error and a Robert Kral RBI single. Geer settled down after the first, working five more scoreless innings whiel striking out five. Lee Orr drove in the go-ahead run with a double to center field in the fourth inning, before first baseman Jason Hagerty provided the Missions with an insurance run, rapping an RBI single in the seventh. Johnny Barbato earned his league-lead tying sixth save after a shutout ninth inning. The Missions first run of the night in the third inning was also the first run they had been able to plate versus Frisco starting pitcher Luke Jackson in four games against the highly rated Rangers prospect. Friday, April 2: W, 8-3 vs Frisco With an 8-3 victory over Frisco, San Antonio won their third game in a row for the first time in After starter Jesse Hahn allowed all three Riders runs in his three innings of work, Missions relievers John Hussey (1-0), Dennis O Grady and Adys Portillo held Frisco to just one hit over the final six innings of the game. The Missions sprayed nine hits in the contest, including Jason Hagerty s second inning solo homerun that produced the home side s first score. One inning later, Hagerty then put the Missions ahead for good when he stroked an RBI double to center field. CatcherAustin Hedges followed Hagerty with his a double of his own as part of his 2-for-4, two-rbi day. Saturday, April 3: L, Corpus Christi In a 4-1 loss at Corpus Christi s Whataburger Field, San Antonio batters struck out 11 times. The Missions collected six hits and six walks, but stranded 10 men on base, as they were completely ineffective in the clutch, going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. San Antonio starting pitcher James Needy (0-3) struggled during his 4.1 innings of work, giving up three runs on five hits. After he led off the fifth with a double, second baseman Adam Buschini, playing in just his second game of the season after spending the first month on the DL, scored the lone Missions run. Sunday, April 4: W, Corpus Christi San Antonio center fielder Rymer Liriano clobbered two solo homeruns to left field, and Lee Orr collected two RBIs on a sun-abetted, infield single, helping lead the Missions to a 6-4 win at Corpus Christi. Missions second baseman Casey McElroy pulled the first pitch of the game just over the fence in the right field corner, giving San Antonio a lead they would keep all afternoon. Devin Jones (4-1) got the start for San Antonio and allowed all four Corpus runs in the fifth inning. Only two of the runs were earned, however, due to his own throwing error. After Frank Garces and Dennis O Grady tossed three combined shutout innings of relief, Johnny Barbato recorded his league-leading seventh save of the year with a scoreless ninth. The Missions sprayed 13 hits in the contest, including Liriano s three-hit night and a pair of base knocks from McElroy, Adam Buschini and Yeison Asencio.

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