'Hounds Fall in Extras on Second Straight Night

By Bob Hards

July 8, 2018

Extra innings do NOT like the RockHounds. The feeling is mutual.
For the third time in as many nights (and the third time in their last four games) the 'Hounds fell in extra innings in a game that saw the game tied in the scheduled inning.
After seeing Tulsa rally twice to force extras, it was the RockHounds who scored twice in the top of the ninth to tie the game, only to see the Cardinals score in the 10^th for a 5-4 win Saturday night at Hammons Field in Springfield, Missouri.
Springfield built a 4-0 lead in the game's first three innings on two swings - - a solo home run from Lane Thomas in the second and Ramon Ruiz' three-run drive in the third.
Eli White (see below) continued his torrid streak with a solo home run in the sixth and doubled leading off the eighth, scoring on Seth Brown's RBI double to cut the deficit to 4-2.
Skye Bolt and Brown drove home runs in the ninth to tie the game at 4-4 in the ninth, but the 'Hounds failed to score in the 10^th and the Cardinals closed the door with Jeremy Martinez' walk-off single in the last of the 10^th.
Notables
Jeremy Martinez had a terrific game for the Cardinals, not all of it evident in the box score. He doubled in the third after falling behind, 0-2, starting a three-run Springfield inning capped by Ramón Urías' home run. Before delivering the game-winning hit in the 10^th, the Springfield catcher blocked at least five pitches in the dirt with 'Hounds base runners at first and second in the ninth inning.
After surrendering Urias' three-run HR in the third, RockHounds starter Parker Dunshee did not allow another hit until the eighth inning. He did not walk a batter (and has not given up a base on balls in three starts) while striking out seven over eight innings.
Eli White went 3-for-4, plus a walk, and has hit in six straight games. In the six-gamer, he is 13-for-21 (.619) with a double, triple, a home run and four RBI. Eli has also walked six times in the six games (with one sac fly) for a .667 on-base percentage.
Tyler Ramirez has also hit in six straight games (10-25, .400) with three doubles, one home run and 10 RBI.
Skye Bolt is hitting .458 (11-for-24) over his last seven games and is hitting .286 since his return from (Advanced-A) Stockton. Since re-joining the RockHounds, Skye has reached base in 15-of-17 games.
After not going to extra innings until the 55^th game of the season, the 'Hounds have now gone to "overtime" three times in as many nights (and three times in four games).
Santiago Chávez is now 22-for-29 (76%) in throwing out opposing base runners. Amazing!
The RockHounds have nine doubles in their last two games.
I'm Not Tim Kurkjian Or Anything, Just Sayin' ...
The difference between and 4-1 road trip and the 1-4 mark the club has recorded is razor thin.   The RockHounds were, twice, three outs away from wins at Tulsa and rallied back in the ninth to force extras at Springfield, only to fall in all three games in extras.

Next Game: Sunday, July 8
6:10 p.m.       vs. Springfield Cardinals
Hammons Field           Springfield, Missouri
- Second of a three-game series and sixth of a (six-day) seven-game road trip
- July 8-9 at Springfield
- Radio: NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 6:00 p.m.
Probable Starters
SPR:                 Connor Jones          (RH, 4-3, 4.43)
RH: Brian Howard    (RH, 0-0, 2.25)