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Errors Costly in Hounds Loss

April 16, 2013

To Err(or) Is Human

… to forgive?  Not so much, at least not on a baseball diamond.

The RockHounds committed three errors Monday night, and paid a high price for the miscues.  Arkansas scored five unearned runs thanks to the errors, en route to a 12-4 win.  The Travelers won for the second straight night, while the 'Hounds dropped their third straight game.

The Travelers, who played errorless ball, also came up with key hits, scoring seven runs on three swings of the bat.   Jett Bandy's two-run double in the second gave Arkansas a 3-0 lead.  Two pitches later, Rolando Gomez hit his second home run in as many games, bringing Bandy home (the 5-7, 145-pound Gomez drove his home run onto the grass berm in straightaway center field).  With two on and two out in the fifth, Robert Widlansky smashed a three-run home run, breaking the game open at 9-1.

The 'Hounds drew within 12-4 on Miles Head's two-run home run in the home half of the fifth, and had the bases loaded with one out and the heart of the order up in the seventh.   Reliever Nick Maronde retired Head on a ground out and Jeremy Barfield on a pop out, ending the inning and the home team's last threat.  That missed opportunity, and the five unearned runs, sealed the deal at Rocky Town.

Kibbles & Bits

-     Despite again making two or three sensational plays (Jake Goebbert's full-tilt, diving catch in left-center was worthy of ESPN), defense has been a major factor in the last three losses.  In those three games, the 'Hounds have committed 11 errors.

-     Frisco was the only South Division team to win Monday night, moving the RoughRiders into a first place tie with Corpus Christi (both clubs are 7-4).  The 'Hounds and San Antonio are each one game back at 6-5.  Arkansas is also 6-5, but leads the North Division by one game.

-     The RockHounds are now 1-4 at home after opening the season with a 5-1 road trip (facing the same two clubs, Northwest Arkansas and Arkansas in that time).   The 'Hounds and Travelers conclude the series (and the 'Hounds home stand) Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

-     Tuesday night's pitching match-up should be one of the best in Double-A ball.  Veteran right-hander Jarrett Grube is 2-0, allowing one run on four hits, with two walks and 10 strikeouts, in 11.1 innings.  The 31-year-old Arkansas starter will face Zach Neal.  The former Howard College star does not have a decision, but has allowed just one run on two hits in 8.1 innings, walking two and whiffing eight, in his two starts.

 

Line Score                                R         H          E      LOB                

Arkansas Travelers                     12      14           0            7                  

RockHounds                               4          9          3            8                  

 

WP     Mike Piazza                      (1-0, 4.50)

LP       Arnold Leon                    (1-1, 7.71)

Sv      None                                   

 

HR     Arkansas:               Rolando Gomez (2)          A 2-run HR in the 2nd (off Arnold Leon)

            Arkansas:               Robert Widlansky (1)      A 3-run HR in the 4th (off Arnold Leon)

            RockHounds:      Jake Goebbert (2)             Solo in the 4th (off Mike Piazza)

            RockHounds:      Miles Head (2)                     A 2-run HR in the 5th (off Mike Piazza)

 

                                   

Next Game

vs. Arkansas Travelers (LA Angels' AA Affiliate)

Tuesday, April 16        6:30 p.m.        Radio at 6:15 p.m.

At Citibank Ballpark  

 

Probable Starters

Arkansas                 (RH)   Jarrett Grube     (2-0,  0.79)

RockHounds        (RH)   Zach Neal              (0-0,  1.08)