Batting Around & The Beard; 'Hounds Win, 9-4

RockHounds 9, Corpus Christi Hooks 4

Saturday, July 24, 2021

Momentum Bank Ballpark

The RockHounds batted around in the first inning … then did it again in the fourth … building a 9-0 and going on to defeat the Corpus Christi Hooks, 9-4, Saturday night at Momentum Bank Ballpark.

The early offense backed an outstanding start from Kyle Friedrichs, who tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out four batters. It was the right-hander’s best performance of the season and one of the club’s finest as well.

Friedrichs (who sports a big-league beard) gave up a leadoff single to the Houston Astros’ Aledmyz Diaz (with the Hooks on a Major League rehab assignment) to open the game, but the next batter, Joe Perez, grounded into a double play. Friedrichs did not surrender another hit until Ross Adolph doubled to right field with one out in the sixth.

The only real Hooks threat against the right-hander came in the second when Korey Lee walked and stole second. Scott Schreiber then sent a line drive to deep left field, with Jhonny Santos making a tremendous, over-the-shoulder catch on the run.

For the second straight game, the RockHounds scored their runs in a variety of ways; of the nine runs, only four came directly via base hits. Jonah Bride had three RBI to lead the way and JJ Schwarz drove in a pair. Max Schuemann scored one run and drove in another, his third RBI in the last two games.

Montana DuRapau pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Friedrichs, but the Hooks broke up the shutout bid with four runs in the ninth.

The RockHounds lead the current series, 3-2, and hold a 13-4 record in the season series with the Hooks (including a six-game sweep earlier in July at Corpus Christi). The series … and the RockHounds homestand … end with Sunday’s two o’clock start.

Kibbles & Bits

Every batter in the RockHounds lineup scored a run, drove in a run, or both.

The ‘Hounds are 14-4 in their last 18 games.

Next Game: Sunday, July 25

RockHounds vs. Corpus Christi Hooks

Final of a six-game series and of a 12-game homestand

First Pitch at 2:00

Family Day & Ice Creak Sunday

Five tickets for $25 / Coupon in the Sunday Midland Reporter-Telegram

Probable Starters

CC Hunter Brown (RH, 1-4, 4.40)

RH Brady Feigl (RH, 6-5, 4.26)