Offense Erupts in Extra Innings For Win

J.P. Sportman's second two-run double of the game triggered a five-run 10^th inning, powering the RockHounds to a 9-5 extra-innings win over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Thursday night at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Arkansas.
The clubs went back-and-forth throughout the first nine innings, entering the 10^th in a 4-4 tie.
With designated runner Eli White at second base, Tyler Ramirez opened extra-innings with a walk and Richie Martin followed with a single to load the bases. With one out, Sportman sent a line drive double toward the right field corner, scoring White and Ramirez. Kort Peterson's throw home sailed wide up the third base line, allowing Martin to score a third run on the play. Nate Mondou's sacrifice fly brought Sportman home and Skye Bolt's fourth home run in his last six games, a solo drive just inside the left field foul pole, capped the scoring.
Brian Howard battled over six-and-two-thirds innings, allowing four runs (earned) on nine hits, with Miguel Romero and Kyle Finnegan combining to go the last three-and-a-third. They allowed only one run (Northwest Arkansas' designated runner scored, an unearned run) with Finnegan going the last two innings for the win.
Sportman, whose second stint with (Triple-A) Nashville was cut short due to the "trickle-down" effect of moves made by Oakland at the Major League level, drove in four runs with his two doubles. J.P. also had hits in both games of Wednesday's double-dip and is 4-for-9 with four RBI since his return.
Notables
With Wednesday's double-header the prime culprit, seven of the 10 individual streaks RockHounds hitters took into the series in Springdale went by the boards. Three significant streaks, however (two of them belonging to Tyler Ramirez) are still going strong:
Tyler Ramirez (1-for-3, two runs, double, two walks) has hit in 10 straight games (19-38, .500 with 12 runs and 10 RBI) and has reached base in 16 straight (.410) with 17 RBI and a .526 on-base percentage. Tyler's 69 RBI rank fourth in the Texas League.
Luis Barrera (2-for-5, run, double) has reached base in 18 straight games (.354). Luis has hits in five straight games (8-for-19, .421) and in 11-of-his-last-12 (.386) contests.
I'm Not Tim Kurkjian Or Anything, Just Sayin' ...
If you don't think Minor League Baseball has a cruel side, consider (now former) the case of RockHound Mickey McDonald.
Last Sunday, he was assigned to the (Double-A) RockHounds from the Beloit Snappers of the (Single-A) Midwest League.   The Snappers are located in Beloit, Wisconsin.
We can only imagine what time his Sunday morning alarm went off … but it was early. He flew from Beloit to Midland, joining the RockHounds just in time for Sunday afternoon's game. That game, of course, was the last of the homestand, meaning Mickey got off the airplane and, within hours, was on the team bus for more than 10-hour bus ride to Springdale, Arkansas. After what was undoubtedly a very welcome off day (Monday), the RockHounds were rained out Tuesday night. Wednesday morning, Mickey was handed another plane ticket, this one back to Beloit.
Re-capping, that's Beloit, Wisconsin … to Midland, Texas … to Springdale, Arkansas … back to Beloit, Wisconsin.
All within a span of roughly 60 hours … and all without having played so much as one out with the 'Hounds.
Next Game
Friday, August 10   vs. Arkansas Travelers
Dickey-Stephens Park            North Little Rock, Arkansas
First pitch 7:05 p.m.    NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 7:00 p.m.
- First of a three-game series and fourth of a six-game road trip
- August 10-11-12 at Arkansas Travelers
Probable Starters
ARK:                   Williams Perez      (RH,    3-1,      2.68)
RH: Logan Shore    (RH,     1-5,      5.07)
Next at Security Bank Ballpark
Tuesday, August 14 through Sunday, August 19
vs. NW Arkansas Naturals & Arkansas Travelers