Dunshee Shuts Down Travelers in Win

The start of Sunday afternoon's game between the RockHounds and Arkansas Travelers was delayed by an hour due to rain. It was worth the wait.
Parker Dunshee and Kyle Finnegan combined on a four-hit shutout as the 'Hounds blanked the Travelers, 2-0, at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock.
Dunshee was brilliant, retiring the first 14 batters he faced (he retired the side in order in each of the first four innings) while not allowing more than one batter to reach base in any frame.
Seth Brown led off the second inning, ripping his league-leading 34^th double of the season into the right field corner, and Richie Martin drove in the game's first run two pitches later with a line drive single to center.
Martin, the only player with more than one hit in the game, was also outstanding in the field. He robbed Dario Pizzano of a hit in the second on a play deep in the hole and saved the shutout in the ninth keeping a pair of hits from reaching the outfield.
Eli White doubled with one out in the third, advancing to third base on a wild pitch and scoring when catcher Joseph Odom's throw sailed wide (J.P. Sportman's single one batter later made the run earned).
Dunshee improved to 5-3, with a 2.29 ERA, in nine starts since being promoted from (Advanced-A) Stockton, while Finnegan recorded his eighth save in as many opportunities. The pair combined for the RockHounds' fourth shutout of the season.
Notables
Sunday afternoon was all about pitching and the RockHounds' three top hit streaks went by the boards in the process. Luis Barrera lost a 20-game on-base streak and Tyler Ramirez saw both an 11-game hit streak and 17-game on-base streak come to an end.
Barrera has hit in 6-of-7 games (.379) and 13-of-15 (.370) while reaching base in 20-of-21 (.349).
Ramirez has hit in 11-of-12 games (.426) and has reached base in 17-of-18 (.371).
Skye Bolt (1-for-3, walk) has hit in four straight games (6-17, .353) with two home runs and three RBI. Skye has also hit in 13-of-his-last-14 games (.455), with five HR and 16 RBI (corrected).
Nate Mondou (0-for-3, walk) has hit in 8-of-his-last-11 games (.421 with eight RBI) and in 15-of-his-last-19 (.352 with 12 RBI).
Richie Martin (2-for-4, RBI, stolen base) has hit in four straight games (5-18) and has reached base in 22-of-23 (.284 with seven stolen bases in eight attempts).
I'm Not Tim Kurkjian Or Anything, Just Sayin' ...
The bullpen surrendered a 3-0 lead in the seventh on Saturday, but starter Ben Bracewell tossed six scoreless innings on four hits. Combined with Dunshee's Sunday gem, those two starts covered 13-and-a-third scoreless innings, allowing a combined six hits with three walks and 12 K's.
Parker Dunshee struck out nine batters Sunday while walking two ... and his season ratio went down! He entered the start with 51 strikeouts and seven walks, a ratio of better than 7:1.
Baseball is cruel. Luis Barrera lost a 20-game on-base streak Sunday (0-for-3). He was on deck when the last out of the ninth was recorded.
Next Game
RockHounds vs. NW Arkansas
Tuesday, August 14 at Security Bank Ballpark
Next at Security Bank Ballpark
Tuesday, August 14 - Sunday, August 19
vs. NW Arkansas Naturals      (Tuesday-Thursday)
vs. Arkansas Travelers           (Friday-Sunday)
Tuesday                August 14 Two-for-One Tuesday
Wednesday           August 15 "Wins-day" Wednesday
Thursday               August 16 Thirsty Thursday
Friday     August 17     For the Kids! RockHounds Lunch Bags
Saturday               August 18 Postgame Fireworks
Sunday August 19     Family Day (2:00 first pitch)