Corey Walter's Stellar Start Leads 'Hounds to Win

By Bob Hards

May 7, 2018

Tyler Ramirez and Corey Walter led the RockHounds to a 4-2 win over Frisco in the opener of a four-game series at Dr Pepper Ballpark.
Walter, who entered the game 1-3, with a 6.83 ERA, returned to the form he has shown over parts of two seasons with the 'Hounds, scattering two runs on five hits over a team season-high eight innings. The right-hander walked only one batter (the Texas Rangers' Rougned Odor … see below) while striking out six. Ramirez went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and a solo home to lead the offense.
Leadoff triples from Sean Murphy (in the second) and Brett Siddall (in the third) helped push the RockHounds in front, 3-0. Murphy's drive, a 400-foot blast to center, was followed by Seth Brown's RBI single (which extended his hit streak to six games … see below).
Siddall was at third with one out when Eli White turned an 0-2 count into a walk against Frisco starter Richelson Peña. Ramirez followed with an RBI double to deep right field and White scored on Murphy's ground out to second.
The clubs then exchanged solo home runs - - Luis Marté's first of the year for Frisco on a line drive to left and Ramirez' third of the season, a towering fly ball to right that found the top of the wall, just out of the reach of right-fielder Hunter Cole.
Cole's RBI triple scored Eliezer Álvarez in the sixth, bringing the Riders to within 4-2.
Dean Kiekhefer, in his RockHounds (and Oakland organization) debut, struck out the first two batters in the ninth before Carlos Garay doubled into the left field corner. Michael De Leon then ripped a low line drive up the middle, with J.P. Sportman making a sensational diving catch for the game-ending out.
Notables
Saturday's game was the first of an eight-game (nine-day) trip for the 'Hounds (at Frisco, May 5-8, and at Corpus Christi, May 10-13). When the road swing ends, the 'Hounds will have played 22-of-30 games ... and spent 23-of-31 days ... away from home.
Brett Vertigan has reached base in 15 straight games (14-51 .275), with 13 walks and a hit by pitch (a .431 OBP).
Tyler Ramirez has hit in nine straight games and (with a pinch-hit, bases-loaded walk Monday at San Antonio) reached base safely in 10 straight (14-35, .400) with three doubles, a home run and seven RBI.
Sean Murphy is hitting .351 (26-for-76) over his last 18 games, scoring 15 runs and driving in 15 more.
Eli White has reached in 11 straight games (13-41, .317) and is hitting .333 (19-for-57) in his last 15 games.
Seth Brown, who went 3-for-4 (RBI, stolen base) has hit in six straight games (11-24, .458) with a double, a home run and four RBI.
The RoughRiders had some big league help in the lineup with (Frisco alum) Rougned Odor on a Major League re-hab assignment. The Texas Rangers second baseman, who played for the RoughRiders late in 2013 and early 2014 on his way to The Show, went 0-for-3 with a walk against Corey Walter. Odor, coming back from a left hamstring strain, is expected to be back in the RoughRiders lineup Sunday.
Next Game
Sunday, May 6   vs. Frisco RoughRiders
Dr Pepper Ballpark     Frisco, Texas
First pitch 4:05 p.m.    NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 4:00 p.m.
- Second of a four-game series and an eight-game (nine-day) road trip
Probable Starters
FRI:                  Ariel Jurado   (RH, 0-0,         2.74)
RH:                   Jesus Luzardo           (LH, 0-0,          3.60)
Next at Security Bank Ballpark
May 14-21 vs. Frisco RoughRiders & San Antonio Missions