We Paz for This Message:
Andy Paz is on a roll, and it's flat out fun to watch. The RockHounds' backup catcher led the way as the RockHounds broke open a very tight game in the sixth inning and went on to defeat the Corpus Christi Hooks, 7-1 on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series.
Before this season, Paz had played in just 27 games above the Rookie / Short Season levels and had not yet played at Advanced-A (the logical step prior to the Double-A level in pro ball). The 'Hounds, though, have been in need of a second catcher for much of the season (due to injuries or promotions) and Paz has filled that roll, playing in a total of just 28 games over two stints with the club. He has also embraced the roll and since re-joining the 'Hounds on July 15, has been red hot at the plate. On Thursday night, he recorded the third consecutive game in which he went 3-for-4 with a double, and the two-bagger (in the sixth inning) broke open a close 2-1 game. Paz finished with a double, two runs and two RBI, and has now hit in four straight games, in which he is 10-for-14, with six runs, three doubles, two RBI and a stolen base.
Joel Seddon (see "Stat of the Day," below) was outstanding again, earning the win by going six innings and allowing just one run on five hits, with one walk and five strikeouts. Ramon Laureano doubled on the game's first pitch, but Paz threw him out trying to steal third base, ending the first inning. Seddon escaped a two-out jam in the second before surrendering his only run on Garrett Stubbs' RBI double in the third inning. From there, Seddon retired 10 of the last 11 batters he faced, allowing only a walk (which was then wiped away on a line drive double play).
Tyler Marincov busted out of a 6-for-44 slump with a 3-for-4 night at the dish (including two doubles) and J.P. Sportman went 2-for-4 with a two-run double that gave the 'Hounds a 2-1 led in the third, a lead they would not relinquish. Sportman has five RBI in his last six games.
The RockHounds
… are 28-13 through 41 games in the second half and 61-50 overall, matching the club's high-water mark (11 games over .500) for the season … have won nine of their last 11 games … are 32-23 at Security Bank Ballpark and 29-27 on the road … are 16-9 in the season series with the Hooks (8-5 at Security Bank Ballpark and 8-4 at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi) … are 40-35 vs. the South.
... now hold a nine-game lead over both Corpus Christi and San Antonio in the Texas League South (with Frisco 11 games back) following the RockHounds' win over the Hooks and Frisco's 3-2 victory at San Antonio. When the current 26 games in 26 days stretch began on July 13, the 'Hounds led Corpus by three games and San Antonio by five. The RockHounds are 18-8 in their last 26 games and 15-8 in this, the longest stretch of consecutive games on the Texas League schedule. There are 29 games remaining in the regular season (and second half race).
... continue their four-game series with the Corpus Christi Hooks on Friday night, with first pitch at 7:00 p.m. at Security Bank Ballpark. Friday is Cap Night (free RockHounds caps for the first 700 fans), followed by postgame fireworks Saturday and a 2:00 p.m. matinee to conclude the series on Sunday afternoon. The Texas League then takes its first day off in nearly a month, followed by cross-division play.
Kibbles & Bits
STAT of the DAY: It is, quite possibly, the most remarkable 4.95 ERA in all of Minor League Baseball, and it belongs to Joel Seddon.
The storyline is, by now, a familiar one, but it keeps getting better and better. After posting a 17.69 ERA in his first three games (and allowing 23 hits in 9.2 innings in those games), the right-hander is 7-6, with a 3.80 ERA over his last 19 starts. In his last eight, Seddon is 6-2, with a 1.78 ERA. In those games, he has allowed 38 hits in 51.1 innings, walking 15 and striking out 35. Those numbers translate to a 0.91 WHIP and a .171 opponent batting average.