Goebbert's Slam Leads Hounds

For four innings Tuesday, Frisco led the RockHounds, 2-0, with pitcher Carlos Pimentel dominating. The 23-year-old right-hander retired the first 11 batters he faced before allowing a two-out double to Jake Goebbert in the fourth. 

RockHounds starter Murphy Smith, meanwhile, loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the first, but allowed only two runs. That "escape" would prove to be key thanks to a 'Hounds uprising in the fifth.

After four near-perfect innings, Pimentel hit David Freitas with the first pitch of the fifth. One out later, he walked three consecutive batters, the last of those (Darwin Perez) forcing home a run. With two outs, D'Arby Myers punched a single between third and short, tying the game at 2-2, with the bases still loaded. Goebbert then fell behind, 0-2, before lifting Pimentel's next pitch over the right field wall for a Grand Slam home run, giving the 'Hounds a 6-2 lead. 

The RoughRiders rallied in the eighth, drawing to within 7-4, but the RockHounds answered with two in the ninth. Ironically, the second run was driven in by Goebbert, again with the bases loaded, but this time with a walk.

The win was the 'Hounds' second in the series and came on "opening night, part two," with the beginning of the Texas League's second half pennant race.

 

Kibbles & Bits

-     Anthony Aliotti missed his first game of the season due to a bruised right knee. "Ali," who was a late scratch from the line-up, sustained the injury when he fouled a ball off the knee in Monday night's game. He had played in each of the RockHounds' first 70 games (the entire first half of the season), collecting a remarkable 96 hits (18 hits more than any other Texas League hitter) and leading the league (by 30+ points) with a .364 average.

-     Tuesday's Texas League games opened the second half pennant race, with all eight clubs reverting back to 0-0.   With the exception of a potential wild card playoff entry, the two half-seasons are complete, separate, pennant races.

-     The RockHounds and RoughRiders complete their four-game series with an 11:05 a.m. start Wednesday. 

-     The 'Hounds then return home for a four-game home stand, beginning with a "Thirsty Thursday" (June 20) and including Electronics Giveaway Night (sponsored by Best Buy) on Friday the 21^st and a post-game fireworks show on Saturday the 22^nd.  

 

WP     Murphy Smith         (6-7, 2.79)

LP       Carlos Pimentel     (7-4, 4.07)   

H R    RockHounds     Jake Goebbert     (13)      A Grand Slam in the 5^th (off Carlos Pimentel)             

 

Next Game

vs. Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers' AA Affiliate)    

Wednesday, June 19      11:05 a.m.     No broadcast

Dr Pepper Ballpark          Frisco, TX                                           

 

Probable Starters

Frisco (RH)   Tyler Tufts      (7-3, 3.60)

RockHounds     (RH)   Zach Neal       (5-4, 3.51)