Barfield's Two Out Walk Off Homer Wins It

The RockHounds team bus arrived home from San Antonio just after midnight Monday.  Bus rides, even the "short" ones of five hours, aren't fun.  Walk-off home runs are. 

Nineteen hours are getting off the bus, the RockHounds "walked off" the diamond on Jeremy Barfield's game-winning home run, defeating the Corpus Christi Hooks, 2-1.   With the bases empty (following back-to-back, three-pitch strikeouts) and a 2-2 count, Barfield sent a monster line drive into the left field corner.  

The 'Hounds had just six hits (the Hooks had seven), but two were home runs.  Anthony Aliotti tied the game at 1-1 with a solo shot to left in the sixth inning.  Both clubs threatened in the eighth, but the game remained a 1-1 until Barfield's electrifying walk-off.

The game was, simply put, a well-played Texas League contest.  Both clubs got outstanding pitching and defense, with Aliotti making two tremendous plays at first base and, before his heroics at the dish, Barfield made a sliding catch on a liner to right off the bat of the Hooks' Rene Garcia in the eighth.  Darwin Perez then ended the top of the ninth with a brilliant pivot and mid-air throw at second base.

Corpus Christi starter Jake Buchanan went five shutout innings, allowing just two hits, and Sean Murphy pitched into the seventh for the 'Hounds in his Double-A debut, allowing one run on five hits.  

Kibbles & Bits  

-    The 'Hounds took over sole possession of first place in the South, as San Antonio defeated Frisco, 5-1, in the Alamo City.  The RockHounds are 11-6 followed by Frisco (10-7), Corpus Christi (9-8) and San Antonio (8-9).

-    The Good Timing Award:  Jeff Urlaub pitched a scoreless ninth inning and was the winning pitcher.  His dad, Jim, came to town today and was at Citibank Ballpark.

-    The RockHounds won their third straight overall and their second in-a-row at Rocky Town after starting the season 1-4 at home.

-    The Hooks and 'Hounds meet Tuesday and Wednesday at 6:30 and "Thirsty" Thursday at 7:00, followed by a four game set with the Frisco RoughRiders (Friday-Monday).

 

Line Score                         R    H    E    LOB    

Corpus Christi Hooks         1     7    0        7    

RockHounds                      2     6    0         6            

 

WP    Jeff Urlaub     (2-0,  2.45)

LP    Carlos Quevedo    (0-1,  3.00)

Sv    None

 

HR    RockHounds:    Anthony Aliotti (2)    Solo in the 6th (off Carlos Quevedo)

RockHounds:    Jeremy Barfield (3)    Solo, walk-off, in the 9th (off Carlos Quevedo)

    

Next Game

vs. Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston Astros' AA Affiliate)

Tuesday, April 23    6:30 p.m.    Radio at 6:15 p.m.

Citibank Ballpark        

 

Probable Starters

Corpus Christi    (RH)    Nick Tropeano    (0-2,  2.00)

RockHounds    (RH)    Josh Bowman    (2-0,  2.40)