Team Effort Leads RockHounds to Series Win

By Bob Hards

August 17, 2018

The RockHounds defeated the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, 5-2, Thursday night at Security Bank Ballpark in a game that had "full moon" written all over it.
Scoring chances were everywhere, with a combined 28 base runners but getting those runners home was another story. The scoring plays were a bases-loaded walk ... an infield single compounded by a throwing error (two runs on the play) ... an RBI single to left field ... a sacrifice fly on an 8-7-6 double play (see below) and a two-run fielding with two out in the ninth.
The ninth inning error cost the RockHounds a shutout, which would have been the fourth consecutive game in which the 'Hounds were involved.
There were five double-plays in the game ... three of them initiated in the outfield.
There were five outfield assists in the game. One player (NW Arkansas' Anderson Miller) had three of them, two coming on back-to-back plays in the second inning.
The 'Hounds' fifth run scored on one of the most unique double plays in the franchise's 47-year history. With runners at second and third and one out in the sixth, Tyler Ramirez sent a drive to the wall in left-center. Naturals center fielder Nick Heath made a brilliant catch, leaping against the wall, but was shaken up on the play, hitting the wall (and the ground) hard. Heath had the presence of mind to get the ball to Miller, who sent a throw to the infield, doubling the base runner off at second. Meanwhile, Jason Goldstein had scored from third, making the play an "8-7-6 sacrifice fly double play."
Luis Barrera went 3-for-3 (plus a walk), scoring one run and driving in another, and Skye Bolt went 3-for-4 with an RBI to lead the RockHounds. Nolan Blackwood tossed two scoreless innings in relief (three strikeouts) and Kyle Finnegan closed the door with the bases loaded (the Naturals' two runs were unearned, coming on a two-out error) with a pair of K's for his ninth save in as many chances.
The 'Hounds won the series, taking 2-of-3 from the Naturals.
Notables
Luis Barrera has hit in 9-of-10 games (.410) and 16-of-18 (.391) while reaching base in 23-of-24 (.365).
Skye Bolt has hit in 6-of-7 games (8-21, .393) and in 15-of-his-last-17 (.455), with five HR and 17 RBI.
Seth brown has hits in 12-of-16 games (.300) with 11 RBI.
Richie Martin reached base in 24-of-26 games (.269 with seven stolen bases in eight attempts).
Nate Mondou has reached base in six straight games (.316 with a .458 OBP) ... is hitting .383 (eight RBI) in his last 14 and .338 (12 RBI) in his last 22.
Tyler Ramirez has hit in 12-of-15 games (.389 with 12 RBI) and has reached base in 19-of-21 (.351 with 20 RBI).
I'm Not Tim Kurkjian Or Anything, Just Sayin' ...
One last note on the "8-7-6 SF DP." Nick Heath's heads-up play to get the ball to Anderson Miller covered about five feet, perhaps the shortest outfield assist in recent (or all of) Texas League history.
Next Game
Friday, August 17 vs. Arkansas Travelers
Security Bank Ballpark           7:00 p.m. (Gates open at 6:00)
- First of a three-game series and fourth of a six-game homestand
- Radio: NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 6:47 p.m.
Probable Starters
ARK:                      Nathan Bannister          (RH,    7-9,      6.19)
RH: Ben Bracewell   (RH,   3-7,      3.33)
The Weekend at Security Bank Ballpark
Friday     August 17     Back to School: RockHounds Lunch Bags
Saturday               August 18 Postgame Fireworks
Sunday August 19     Family Day (2:00 first pitch)