RockHounds Sweep the Cardinals

The RockHounds scored seven runs on three swings of the bat, including a pair of two-run home runs from Seth Brown, to defeat the Springfield Cardinals, 10-1, Saturday night at Security Bank Ballpark. The win gave the 'Hounds a sweep of the season-opening three-game series at Rocky Town.
Springfield's Chris Chinea sent a line drive into the right field bullpen in the top of the second to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead, but it was short-lived.
The RockHounds answered in the home half of the inning on Mikey White's three-run double into the left field corner, White's sixth, seventh and eighth RBI of the series.
Brown, who led the (Advanced-A) California League in both home runs (30) and RBI (109) last season, ripped a two-run line drive over the wall in the right-center field power alley in the third, building the lead to 5-1. He added a second two-run home run in the fourth (the homers came in back-to-back at bats), finding the right field bullpen (a drive very similar to Chinea's), part of a four-run rally that broke the game open.
Easily overlooked in what became a one-sided game, was an outstanding pitching performance from the 'Hounds. Ben Bracewell went the first five innings, allowing one run on three hits for the win. John Gorman and Jarret Martin, each in his season debut, had almost identical outings of two scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts. Combined, the trio allowed Springfield just four hits.
Notables                                                          
- Mikey White has eight RBI through the season's first three games.
- White, Brown, Tyler Ramirez and Tyler Marincov each had two hits for the 'Hounds.
- White and Sean Murphy are both hitting .364 (4-for-11) in three games.
Meteorology                                                    
Friday ... the game starts in 87-degree weather with no wind ... it ends with 62 degrees and wind nearing 30 miles-per-hour.
Saturday ... by game's end the wind chill was 40.
Sunday's forecast? Ninety-three degrees.
Completely Useless But Kinda Cool Stat(s)    
After committing just one error, combined, in the first two games of the series, the clubs committed a half-dozen errors Saturday (three for each club). The RockHounds, who did not commit a miscue for the first 24 innings of the season, then had three errors in a two-inning span.
Mother Nature played a role, with each club misplaying a pop-up in the West Texas breeze.
Next Game                                                      
Sunday, April 8              vs. Tulsa Drillers
Security Bank Ballpark   4:00 p.m. (Gates open at 3:30)
First of a three-game series vs. Tulsa and fourth of a six-game homestand
Family Day
Five tickets for $ 25 with a coupon from Sunday's Midland Reporter-Telegram
Radio: NewsTalk 550 at 3:47 with Bob Hards
Probable Starters                 
TUL:  Devin Smeltzer     (LH, first start)
RCK: Norge Ruiz (RH, first start)