RockHounds Blank Naturals in Win

Through the first 118 games of the 2018 season, the RockHounds had recorded three shutouts. They have now thrown two in their last two games.
Norge Ruiz and John Gorman, backed by some timely defense and a three-run second inning, combined to scatter eight hits as the RockHounds blanked the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, 5-0, Tuesday night at Security Bank Ballpark.
Ruiz, in perhaps his finest outing as a member of the 'Hounds, went seven innings, allowing seven hits and three walks (he struck out five) for the win. He retired the side in order just once but benefitted from a pair of double plays and some questionable base-running by NW Arkansas (ironically enough, as the Naturals are second in the Texas League in stolen bases with 144) to escape every scoring threat.
The RockHounds scored three times in the second, with Richie Martin's leadoff walk followed by back-to-back singles from Skye Bolt and Nate Mondou. Martin scored on a throwing error to first by Naturals starter (and former Texas A&M star) Jace Vines and Bolt and Mondou came home on Eli White's flair double down the right field line.
Consecutive singles from Bolt, Mondou, Jonah Heim and Barrera (RBI) opened the fourth inning with Tyler Ramirez' 70^th RBI of the season (sac fly) capping the scoring.
NW Arkansas' Jecksson Flores doubled with two out in the third inning and went to third base on a wild pitch. He then wandered almost halfway down the line toward home plate and was easily picked off by Ruiz to end the inning. Kelvin Gutierrez singled in the fourth but broke off first base far too early and was caught stealing in a rundown.
Notables
Luis Barrera (1-for-4, run, RBI) has hit in 7-of-8 games (.364) and 14-of-16 (.362) while reaching base in 21-of-22 (.342).
Skye Bolt (2-for-4, two runs) has hit in five straight games (8-21, .381) and has hit in 14-of-his-last-15 (.458), with five HR and 16 RBI (corrected).
Seth Brown (2-for-4) has hit in 11-of-his-last-14 games (.315) with 11 RBI. He ranks second in the Texas League with 78 ribbies for the season.
Richie Martin (1-for-3, run, walk) has hit in five straight games (6-21, .286) and has reached base in 23-of-24 (.286 with seven stolen bases in eight attempts).
Nate Mondou (2-for-4, run) has hit in 9-of-his-last-12 games (.429 with eight RBI) and in 16-of-his-last-20 (.360 with 12 RBI).
While held hitless for the second straight game, Tyler Ramirez collected his 70^th RBI and is now the league's fourth-leading run producer. Tyler has hit in 11-of-13 games (.400 with 11 RBI) and has reached base in 17-of-19 (.356 with 19 RBI).
I'm Not Tim Kurkjian Or Anything, Just Sayin' ...
In the last three games, RockHounds starters Ben Bracewell (6.0 innings on Saturday), Parker Dunshee (7.1 on Sunday) and Ruiz (7.0 Tuesday) have gone a combined 20-and-a-third consecutive scoreless innings.
Next Game
Wednesday, August 15          vs. NW Arkansas Naturals
Security Bank Ballpark            6:30 p.m. (Gates open at 6:00)
- Second of a three-game series and of a six-game homestand
- Radio: NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 6:15 p.m.
Probable Starters
NWA:                      Emilio Ogando (LH,     9-6,      5.29)
RH:   Brian Howard    (RH,   2-2,      2.77)
The Week at Security Bank Ballpark
Wednesday           August 15 "Wins-day" Wednesday
Thursday               August 16 Thirsty Thursday
Friday     August 17    Back to School: RockHounds Lunch Bags
Saturday               August 18 Postgame Fireworks
Sunday August 19    Family Day (2:00 first pitch)