In the opener of a four-game series at Security Bank Ballpark, the San Antonio Missions scored eight runs on 18 hits ... and lost. The 'Hounds scored nine times on a dozen hits and held off a ninth-inning rally for a 9-8 victory Friday night at Rocky Town.The 'Hounds took
In the opener of a four-game series at Security Bank Ballpark, the San Antonio Missions scored eight runs on 18 hits ... and lost. The 'Hounds scored nine times on a dozen hits and held off a ninth-inning rally for a 9-8 victory Friday night at Rocky Town.
The 'Hounds took leads of 3-0 and 6-2, the latter on Seth Brown's three-run home run in the fifth inning, with the Missions coming back to within a run both times, drawing to within 6-5 on River Stevens' two-run single in the top of the sixth.
Josh Naylor then extended the league's longest on-base streak of the 2018 season to 28 games with a two-run homer in the top of the seventh, putting the Missions on top, 7-6.
Brett Siddall's bases-loaded two-run single in the home half of the stretch inning (see below) put the 'Hounds back on top, 8-7, and Santiago Chávez then drove in what would be the game-winning run on a bounce out to the pitcher. The 'Hounds needed the last run because San Antonio, again, came back in the top of the ninth, scoring one run and putting the tying run in scoring position. After giving up the run, reliever Dean Kiekhefer struck Naylor (perhaps the toughest out in the Texas League) to end the game.
Frisco's Preston Beck hit a walk-off home run in the last of the ninth as the RoughRiders ended Corpus Christi's six-game win streak, 7-6, in the Metroplex. The Missions, who dropped their sixth straight (including a four-game sweep at Corpus), maintain a one-game lead over the Hooks in the South. The RockHounds (21-20), who broke a three-game slide, and now four games behind San Antonio (25-16) and three behind the Hooks (24-17). Frisco (12-29) is 13 games out of first place but the RoughRiders have now won four straight.
Notables
Eli White (3-for-5, two runs) has reached base in 23 consecutive games (27-85, .318 with a .431 OBP). It is the second-longest on-base streak in the Texas League, trailing only Naylor's 28-gamer (.325 with three home runs and 22 RBI).
Tyler Ramirez (2-for-3, two runs, RBI, two walks, K, caught stealing) has hits in seven straight games (10-26, .385) and has reached base in 20-of-21 games (26-74, .351) with five doubles, a triple, two home runs and 15 RBI.
Brett Vertigan (1-for-5) has reached base in 26-of-27 games (24-99, .242) with 21 walks and one hit by pitch (a .380 OBP). He had a 15-game on-base streak from April 19-May 5 and has now reached in 11 straight.
Seth Brown (2-for-3, HR, four RBI, walk) is hitting .325 (26-for-80) over his last 23 games with three home runs and 18 RBI. Seth, who led the California League in HR & RBI last season, has pushed his average to .265 after being under .200 as recently as April 28 (.194).
Richie Martin (0-for-3, run, walk) has reached base in 14 straight games (with hits in 12 of the 14), going 19-for-53 (.358), with four doubles, a triple, a home run and five RBI. Richie has hit in 6-of-7 games (14-33, .424) after seeing a six-game streak snapped thanks to a brilliant play by his counterpart at shortstop, Padres prospect Fernando Tatis, Jr.
Santiago Chavez (2-for-4, run, RBI) has reached base in each of the 10 games in which he's played and has hits in 5-of-his-last-6 (8-23, .348), with four doubles and three RBI.
Brett Siddall's clutch, two-run single in the seventh (which gave the RockHounds the lead for good) broke a 3-for-34 stretch. While hitting only .181 for the season, Brett now has 17 RBI.
Completely Useless But Kinda Cool Stat(s)
The RockHounds broke out to an early 3-0 lead, largely on the strength of good hitting in two-strike counts. Seth Brown opened the scoring with his first-inning, two-out RBI single, which came on an 0-2 pitch from Cal Quantrill. Santiago Chavez (single), J.P. Sportman (sac fly) and Tyler Ramirez (RBI single) each did their damage in the second inning in plate appearances that began 0-2 (all against Quantrill, the San Diego Padres' # 4 proepct).
When Forrestt Allday drove in two runs with his fifth-inning single, he tripled his RBI for the season. The Missions outfielder entered the game with one rub batted in over 32 games and pushed that total to three with one swing in the fifth.
Next Game
Saturday, May 19 vs. San Antonio Missions
Security Bank Ballpark 7:00 p.m. (Gates open at 6:00)
- Second of a four-game series and sixth of an eight-game homestand (see below)
- Radio: NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 6:47 p.m.
Fireworks (Saturday, May 19)
Family Day (Sunday, 2:00 p.m.)
Safety Awareness / Kids Day (Monday, May 21 at 11:00 a.m.)
Probable Starters
SA: Seth Simmons (RH, 0-0, 0.00)
RH: Jesus Luzardo (LH, 1-1, 4.26)
