RockHounds Shutout by Naturals

By Bob Hards

August 16, 2018

Over the last month, no Texas League pitcher as been better than Northwest Arkansas' Emilio Ogando. If you don't believe that, just ask the RockHounds.
The Naturals' left-hander went six scoreless innings Wednesday night, combining with reliever Yunior Marte to shut out the RockHounds, 8-0, at Security Bank Ballpark. It was the second time in eight days Ogando has blanked the 'Hounds after going six scoreless frames at Springdale, Arkansas, last Wednesday in a 2-0 victory (a seven-inning win in game two of a double-header).
The Naturals backed Ogando's outstanding start by scoring eight runs in the first four innings. Jecksson Flores' two-run single in the second gave Northwest Arkansas a 3-0 lead with home runs from Alex Liddi (with one on in the third) and Kelvin Gutierrez (with two on in the fourth) pushing the advantage to 8-0.
Since July 17, Ogando has been remarkable, going 4-0, with a 0.77 earned run average. Wednesday's win was his fifth in-a-row and the six shutout innings stretched his scoreless streak to 23 consecutive innings.
Notables
The RockHounds had only four base-runners Wednesday night (two hits and two walks), meaning "streaks and trends" took a hit (pun intended).
Luis Barrera (1-for-3) has hit in 8-of-9 games (.361) and 15-of-17 (.361) while reaching base in 22-of-23 (.341).
Skye Bolt (0-for-3) has hit in five-of-six games (8-21, .333) and in 14-of-his-last-16 (.431), with five HR and 16 RBI.
Richie Martin (0-for-3) has hit in five-of-six games (6-24, .250) and has reached base in 23-of-25 (.277 with seven stolen bases in eight attempts).
Nate Mondou (0-for-2, walk) was robbed of extra bases on a brilliant, diving catch by Naturals center fielder Nick Heath in the eighth inning. Nick has reached base in five straight games (6-16, .375 with a .500 OBP) with hits in 9-of-13 (.409 with eight RBI) and 16-of-his-last-21 games (.351 with 12 RBI).
Tyler Ramirez (0-for-2, walk) has hit in 11-of-14 games (.385 with 11 RBI) and has reached base in 18-of-20 (.347 with 19 RBI).
Eli White has busted out from a rough stretch on the last road trip and has hit in three straights games (4-11, .364) with a double in each of the three games and two RBI.
I'm Not Tim Kurkjian Or Anything, Just Sayin' ...
But Tim Kurkjian IS Tim Kurkjian and he has the Oakland A's rated # 5 in his current Major League Baseball power rankings, thanks in part to "... their defense, especially at the infield corners." Those corner infielders would be former RockHounds Matt Olson (1B) and Matt Chapman (3B).
Next Game
Thursday, August 16 vs. NW Arkansas Naturals
Security Bank Ballpark            7:00 p.m. (Gates open at 6:00)
- Final of a three-game series and third of a six-game homestand
- Radio: NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 6:47 p.m.
Probable Starters
NWA:                      Jon Perrin         (RH,     0-0,      3.60)
RH:   Sam Bragg   (RH,     4-5,          4.09)
The Week at Security Bank Ballpark
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)