Bolt Homer in 9th Lifts 'Hounds to Win

In the next-to-last Texas League game ever between the franchises in San Antonio, the Missions and RockHounds played a classic Tuesday night at Nelson Wolff Stadium, with the 'Hounds claiming a 4-2 win on Skye Bolt's tie-breaking two home run in the ninth.
Bolt's drive over the left-center field wall broke a 2-2 and brought in Luis Barrera. Playing in just his second game since being promoted from (Advanced-A) Stockton, Barrera went 2-for-3, driving in the club's first run (sac fly) and scoring the next two, including setting the table for Bolt's game-winning swing with a two-out triple in the ninth.
The game's first four runs were all "manufactured," with the 'Hounds taking a 1-0 lead in the second on Barrera's sac fly, scoring Tyler Marincov. The 1-0 lead stood going into the bottom of the sixth, thanks to a tremendous spot start from Sam Bragg (see below) before the Missions used a pair of infield singles (each despite a terrific effort from shortstop Eli White) to tie and take the lead.
Berrera (single) and White (RBI double, see below) then combined to forge a 2-2 tie in the seventh.
Both clubs used brilliant defense to keep the game tied in the eighth. Seth Brown, on the sixth 0-2 pitch of the at-bat, sent a sharp one-hopper near the first base line. Webster Rivas, holding a runner on at first, went to his knees to handle the hard shot … threw (from his knees) to second for the force out … and handled Fernando Tatis, Jr.'s return throw on a hop for a 3-6-3 double play.
Tatis then led off the last of the eighth with a drive that DID get out of the ballpark down the left field line, only to be brought back IN when Tyler Ramirez reached over the top of the fence and made a remarkable (network-worthy) catch, robbing Tatis.
The win was the 'Hounds' first in the four-game series, which concludes Wednesday night (see below).
Notables
Before the game, RockHounds manager Scott Steinmann said that five innings from Sam Bragg (in a spot start) would be ideal. Not only did Bragg do exactly that, he did it with five scoreless innings, allowing three hits and no walks with the 'Hounds only strikeout of the night.
Eli White extended his on-base streak to 15 games (corrected) with an RBI double down the left field line in the seventh (again, Barrera scored after setting the table), tying the game at 2-2. In the 15-gamer, Eli is 27-for-57 (.474) with five doubles, two triples, two HR and nine RBI. He has also walked 12 times (with one sac fly), reaching base in 40-of-71 plate appearances (a .563 OBP).
Richie Martin has hit in four straight games, going 7-for-15 (.467), and is 10-for-17 (.370) in his last seven.
J.P. Sportman has been called up to the (Triple-A) Nashville Sounds. It is the first trip to the next level for J.P., who was a member of the both the 2016 and 2017 Texas League championship clubs. Despite missing two weeks in June due to injury, he hit .282 with eight home runs, 32 RBI and 15 stolen bases. In his two-and-a-half seasons with the RockHounds, the infielder / outfielder hit .273 with 25 HR and 163 RBI. He's waited a long time for the call to the Pacific Coast League … congrats, J.P., and great success in Nashville!  
Pitcher Logan Shore has been placed on the disabled list and (pitcher) Ben Bracewell has been assigned to the RockHounds from Nashville. Logan's stay on the DL is not expected to be a lengthy one; the hope is he will miss only his July 17 scheduled start.
Quick catch-up: Infielder Nate Mondou and outfielder Luis Barrera have been promoted to the RockHounds from (Advanced-A) Stockton and (IF) Edwin Diaz and (OF) Brett Siddall have been re-assigned to the California League Ports.
Downright Historic
Wednesday night's game (7:05 first pitch) will be the final meeting between the two franchises in San Antonio. The rivalry between the Missions and Cubs/Angels/RockHounds is the most prolific in Texas League history (1,435 meetings through Tuesday night's game) but, with the San Antonio franchise moving to the (AAA) Pacific Coast League in 2019, Wednesday's meeting will be the final ever in San Antonio.
I'm Not Tim Kurkjian Or Anything, Just Sayin' ...
Tuesday's spot start was Sam Bragg's third in 211 career games and his second in 107 as a member of the RockHounds.
Next Game
Wednesday, July 18   vs. San Antonio Missions
Nelson Wolff Stadium San Antonio, Texas
First pitch 7:05 p.m.    NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 7:00 p.m.
- Final of a four-game series and road trip
Probable Starters
SA: Logan Allen (LH, 9-4, 2.68)
RH: Parker Dunshee             (RH, 1-2, 3.33)
Next at Security Bank Ballpark
Four-game series versus Corpus Christi Hooks (7:00 p.m. Thursday-Friday-Saturday)     
Thursday          July 19           Thirsty Thursday
Friday     July 20          Adult Jersey Night
Saturday           July 21           Postgame Fireworks
Sunday July 22          Family Day (2:00 first pitch)