Zach Turns Out the Lights ... 'Hounds Win, 8-7

RockHounds 8, Corpus Christi Hooks 7

Wednesday, June 2, 2021

Momentum Bank Ballpark

A seven-run second inning gave the RockHounds an 8-2 lead Wednesday night at Momentum Bank Ballpark. But, before the night was over, it took another “lights out” performance from Zach Jackson to save the game, both in reality and in the box score.

The Corpus Christi Hooks rallied from the six-run deficit, drawing to within 8-7 in the top of the eighth inning before Jackson closed the door with three consecutive strikeouts (each of them “looking”) to give the ‘Hounds their fifth consecutive victory.

A two-out double from Tyler Ramirez and Jonah Bride’s RBI single put the Rockhounds on the board in the first inning, but Chandler Taylor’s two-run home run in the top of the second gave Corpus Christi a 2-1 lead.

Devin Foyle lined a two-run homer into the right field bullpen in the home half of the second and Hooks starter Brett Daniels then walked the bases loaded. Bride ripped a two-run double down the left field line and Logan Davidson drove in two more runs with a triple in the gap to left center. When he scored on Kyle McCann’s flair single to center, the lead ballooned to 8-2.

The Hooks bullpen then shut the RockHounds out the rest of the way, led by Brandon Lawson, who tossed four scoreless innings. He retired 12-of-14 batters, allowing just two walks, as the Hooks chipped away at the lead, drawing to within 8-6 with a two-run sixth inning.

With the shift on in the top of the eighth, Pedro Leon’s roller through the vacated right side of the infield turned into a run on a sacrifice fly from Marty Costes and Corpus Christi was within a run.

From there, the ‘Hounds slammed the door with five consecutive K’s. Aaron Brown struck out back-to-back batters to end the eighth and Jackson whiffed the side with a hat trick of called third strikes in the ninth.

Kibbles & Bits

Zach Jackson has five saves in as many opportunities and has allowed no earned runs and just TWO hits in 12⅓ innings. In that span, he has walked five batters and struck out TWENTY-FIVE.

Jonah Bride went 2-for-3 (with a walk) and drove in three runs. He now leads the RockHounds with 17 RBI and ranks among the Double-A Central leaders in virtually every major offensive category.

The RockHounds have won a season-high five games in-a-row and are a season-best four games over .500 (15-11). The ‘Hounds are also 6-2 through the first eight games of the current 12-game homestand.

Next Game: “Thirsty” Thursday, June 3

Half-price beverages!

The ‘Hounds host the Corpus Christi Hooks with first pitch at 7:00.

Game three of a six-game series.

* Probable Starters*

CC Cesar Rosado (RH, 0-2, 6.89)

RH Brady Feigl (RH, 2-1, 4.24)

The RockHounds host the Hooks through Sunday afternoon at Momentum Bank Ballpark, including:

Thirsty Thursday, Kids Jersey Night (Friday, June 4) and Saturday night fireworks (Saturday, June 5).