Cardinals Attack Too Much For Hounds
Midland, TX - Can Birds Laugh?
Just asking, because the Springfield Cardinals won a "laugher" Friday night, defeating the RockHounds, 15-5, at Citibank Ballpark.
The 'Hounds actually had a 1-0 lead in the game, scoring in the first on Anthony Aliotti's 38th RBI of the season. The Cardinals pieced together two runs in the second, one of those coming on a bases-loaded walk to Starlin Rodriguez. His next time up, however, Rodriguez didn't leave the bat on his shoulder. His grand slam home run capped a five-run third inning and gave Springfield a 7-1 lead.
The RockHounds had chances throughout, with two men on base in six-of-seven innings, but didn't score again until a four-run seventh, when Tyler Ladendorf's three-run home run helped get the 'Hounds back to within 9-5. Even in that rally (with the first five batters reaching base), the 'Hounds had a chance to draw closer, but could not push any more runs across.
The Cardinals then pulled away, scoring one in the eighth and five in the ninth.
"Runners left on base" also tells a good portion of the story. The RockHounds stranded 13 base runners and Springfield just seven (with three of those in the top of the ninth after five runs had been scored and the score at 15-5).
Kibbles & Bits
- "Adding injury to insult" … Jefry Marte came off the disabled list after being sidelined since May 3 (right calf). He played just an inning-and-a-half before leaving the game. Tyler Ladendorf fouled a ball off his left knee and was down for several minutes, and wore a protective device on the knee the rest of the way. The 'Hounds currently have just a two position player bench, with Michael Fabiaschi placed on the D-L to make room for Marte's return (ironically, "Fab" would be the likely roster replacement if Marte is sidelined again, but he is now out for seven days).
- "Strange Days At The Ballpark" With the exception of Thursday's night 5-4 RockHounds win (in 10 innings), four-of-the-last-five 'Hounds home games have been lopsided and high-scoring. In those four games, SEVENTY-SEVEN runs have been scored, with the winning team (collectively) holding a 60-17 advantage. The RockHounds defeated Corpus Christi, 19-11, to end the last home stand, and opened the current six-gamer at Rocky Town with a 10-1 win over Tulsa. The Drillers returned the favor, 16-1, Wednesday and Springfield put a 15-5 win on the board Friday.
- "Geography, 101" Both clubs are at .500 (Springfield is 26-26 and the RockHounds are 27-27), but the cardinals are just one game out of first place in the North Division, while the 'hounds trail Corpus Christi by six in the South.
- The 'Hounds and Springfield meet Saturday night (with post-game fireworks) and Sunday afternoon to wrap up the home stand (4:00).
WP Ryan Sherriff (1-1, 5.00)
LP Sean Murphy (2-2, 4.68)
Sv None
HR Springfield Starlin Rodriguez (5) Grand slam in the 3rd (off Sean Murphy)
RockHounds Tyler Ladendorf (2) A 3-run HR in the 7th (off Heath Wyatt)
Springfield Ruben Gotay (3) A 2-run HR in the 9th (off Mike Demark)
Springfield Adam Melker (7) Solo in the 9th (off Mike Demark)
Next Game
vs. Springfield Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals' AA Affiliate)
Saturday, June 1 7:00 p.m. Radio at 6:50 p.m.
Citibank Ballpark
Probable Starters
Springfield (LH) Anthony Ferarra (4-3, 6.23)
RockHounds (LH) Carlos Hernandez (2-4, 3.56)