RockHounds Swept in Double Header

The Texas League schedule-maker sent the RockHounds to Springdale, Arkansas, just in time to run into a Northwest Arkansas team that has become one of the league's hottest clubs. The Naturals swept the RockHounds in Wednesday night's double-header at Arvest Ballpark, by scores of 4-3 and 2-0, extending their win streak to six games and continuing a stretch in which Northwest Arkansas has now won 16-of-21 games.
Nick Dini's two-run home run in the opener of the double-dip (forced by Tuesday's rainout) was the decisive swing, giving Northwest Arkansas a 4-1 lead in the fourth (of the seven-inning game). From there, the Naturals held off the 'Hounds, who scored in the fifth and seventh, both runs coming on RBI from Tyler Ramirez.
In game two, the Naturals scored single runs in each of the first two innings and that turned out to be more than enough, thanks to a tremendous outing from Emilio Ogando. The left-hander allowed just two base-runners over six innings (two singles) while striking out five, combining with reliever Pedro Fernandez on a two-hit shutout in the seven-inning nightcap.
As good as Ogando was, left fielder Anderson Miller turned in the game's pivotal play, robbing Eli White of extra bases on a line drive to left field leading off the fourth. Miller made the catch on White's drive a split-second before running into the wall. The play was followed by a Tyler Ramirez single, quite probably saving a run or, at the very least, putting runners at second and third with no outs.
Notables
Double-headers (two, seven-inning games) can be really rough on streaks.
In the opener, Seth Brown and Eli White both saw seven-game hit streaks go by the boards.
In the nightcap, Richie Martin (18-game on-base), Skye Bolt (nine-game hit) and Nate Mondou (six-game hit) all saw their current streaks come to an end.
Two RockHounds did keep rolling through the double-dip:
Tyler Ramirez (a combined 2-for-5, two RBI, walk, sac fly) has hit in nine straight games (18-for-35, .514) and has reached base in 15 straight (24-58, .414) with 17 RBI and a .521 on-base percentage. Tyler now has 69 RBI for the season, ranking fourth in the Texas League.
Luis Barrera (1-for-3, run, RBI in game one) has reached base in 17 straight games (.350). Luis has hits in four straight games (6-14) and in 10-of-his-last-11 (15-39, .385) contests.
Personnel
J.P. Sportman and Brett Vertigan have re-joined the RockHounds from (AAA) Nashville, the result of multiple moves at the Major League level by the Oakland Athletics.  
The A's acquired pitchers Shawn Kelley and Mike Fiers via trade and have activated (former RockHound and Texas League Player of the Year) Chad Pinder. Those moves forced a trio of former 'Hounds … Franklin Barreto, Ryan Dull and J.B. Wendelken … back to Nashville and, in turn, J.P. and Brett back to the 'Hounds.  
In corresponding moves, infielder Edwin Diaz has been reassigned to (Advanced-A) Stockton and outfielder Mickey McDonald (who did not appear in a game in his short stay) has been reassigned to (A) Beloit.
Texas League Player of the Week (July 30-August 5) … and Two Other 'Hounds Who Might Have Been!
We thought it might be Tyler Ramirez, who hit .533, scored 10 runs, drove in eight more and had a .611 on-base percentage. Turns out, someone had a better week - - his RockHounds teammate Skye Bolt!
He didn't hit for as high an average as his fellow 'Hounds outfielder (Ramirez), but Skye was 11-for-29 (.379) and three of his hits were home runs, including a walk-off HR in Friday's 13-inning win over the San Antonio Missions. The deciding factor, perhaps, in his selection as POTW were the 12 RBI that accompanied the three HR's.
Tyler was outstanding … so was Seth Brown (12032, .375, 10 runs and 11 RBI) … and Skye, deservedly, won the honor.   In fact, all three had hits in all seven games played last week (Tyler and Seth are now on seven-game streaks) with Skye extending his current hit streak to eight-in-a-row (12-32, .375).
That's one heckuva week, RockHounds!   
Next Game
Thursday, August 9    vs. NW Arkansas Naturals
Arvest Ballpark       Springdale, Arkansas
First pitch 7:05 p.m.    NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 7:00 p.m.
- Final of a three-game series and third of a six-game road trip
- August 9 at NW Arkansas; August 10-11-12 at Arkansas Travelers
- Next at Security Bank Ballpark:
   Tuesday, August 14 through Sunday, August 19
   vs. NW Arkansas Naturals & Arkansas Travelers
Probable Starters
NWA:                  T B A
RH: Brian Howard (RH,     2-2,      2.36)