Zach Neal Continues Hot Start; Hounds Win 3-1
Zach Neal went seven shutout innings to lead the RockHounds to a 3-1 win at San Antonio Sunday afternoon, giving the 'Hounds a 3-1 series win in the four-game set in the Alamo City.
Neal pitched out of trouble (ranging from minor to major) in the first three innings, then scattered three single over his final four innings of work.
After allowing back-to-back walks to open the second (his only two walks of the game), the former Howard College star got a double-play and a brilliant, run-saving catch from right fielder Jake Goebbert to end the threat. After surrendering a lead-off double in the third, Neal came back with a pair of strikeouts to retire the side, and was not threatened again, earning his first win of the season (1-0, 1.33) and recording his third outstanding start in four outings.
San Antonio threatened (without benefit of a hit) in the ninth, bringing the tying run to the plate. A strikeout on a wild pitch started the threat, with the Missions' only run scoring on a subsequent wild pitch. Goebbert made another outstanding play on a foul ball for one out, and Kyler Newby induced a pop out before striking out A.J. Kirby-Jones to end the game. It was Newby's fourth save in five chances, and his fourth in-a-row.
The 'Hounds scored on three RBI singles, two with two out, one each from Anthony Aliotti, Darwin Perez and Goebbert. Dusty Coleman and D'Arby Myers had three hits each to lead the RockHounds, who now share the Texas League South Division lead (at 10-6) with Frisco.
Kibbles & Bits
- The 'Hounds won their third consecutive road series and are now 8-2 on the road to open the season.
- In seven wins this season, San Antonio has scored 68 runs … in their nine losses, the Missions have scored a total of ten runs.
- San Antonio collected 32 in the series … 29 of them singles.
- The RockHounds open an eight-game home stand Monday evening, hosting the Corpus Christi Hooks at 6:30 at Citibank Ballpark. The 'Hounds and Hooks meet Monday through Thursday, followed by a four game set with the Frisco RoughRiders (Friday-Monday).
Line Score R H E LOB
RockHounds 3 12 0 8
San Antonio Missions 1 6 1 6
WP Zach Neal (1-0, 1.33)
LP Donn Roach (2-2, 1.83)
Sv Kyler Newby (4, 1.74)
HR None
Next Game
vs. Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston Astros' AA Affiliate)
Monday, April 22 6:30 p.m. Radio at 6:15 p.m.
Citibank Ballpark
Probable Starters
Corpus Christi (RH) Jake Buchanan (1-0, 2.00)
RockHounds (RH) Sean Murphy (1st start with RockHounds)