Hounds Win Behind Murphy

By Bob Hards

August 17, 2013

RockHounds' center fielder D'Arby Myers has a very famous cousin - - - future NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal.

D'Arby also has a "Shaq-Size" hit streak.

With his fifth-inning single, he extended his hit steak to a remarkable 25 games (see "Kibble & Bits," below).

A streak of that magnitude is a "headline story," but the RockHounds got key performances up-and-down the order (again, see "Kibbles & Bits") in a 7-2 win over the Springfield Cardinals Friday at Rocky Town.

The win was the club's second in as many nights ... the third in the first four games of the current home stand … and came against a Springfield team that had won 8-of-its-last-10 and held a narrow one-game lead in the North Division race.

The 'Hounds jumped to a 3-0 lead after four innings, but the Cardinals rallied back to within 3-2 after six frames. The RockHounds then batted around in a decisive, four-run seventh inning, ignited by Conner Crumliss' perfect drag bunt up the first base line and highlighted by Dusty Coleman's RBI double down the left field line.

Kibbles & Bits

- With his 2-fof-5 night Friday, D'Arby Myers is 40-for-103 (.388) in a 25-game hit streak, which now stands as the fifth-longest in streak professional baseball in 2013. Boston's David "Big Papi" Ortiz and Colorado's Michael Cuddyer share the season high at 27 games … with a pair of Mexican League players (Jaime Brena and Luis Fonseca) each at 26. Billy Burns, playing for Potomac (Washington's affiliate in the Advanced-A Carolina League) hit in his last 24 games at the Advanced-A level before being called up to Double-A.

Records from the franchise's early years are not complete, so determining where the streak ranks in franchise history is virtually impossible. Suffice to say, it is one of (if not THE) longest in the franchise's 42 years.

- Sean Murphy went six strong innings (two runs, only one earned, on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts) and was, at long last, rewarded for his efforts. In his last eight appearances, Sean has posted a 2.64 ERA, but Friday marked his first win in those eight starts. Jeff Urlaub backed Murphy's quality start with two perfect innings of relief in the seventh and eighth, striking out three-of-six batters.

- Conner Crumbliss has now reached base in 33-of-his-last-35 games and in 9-of-his-last-11 trips to the plate. Going back to his last plate appearance Wednesday (against Tulsa), Conner is 4-for-6 plus five walks. After opening the season at Triple-A, and despite playing in only 60-percent of the 'Hounds' 124 games (correcting a typo from last night's wrap-up … sorry!), Crumbliss is fifth in the Texas League with 60 walks and third in on-base percentage (.414).

- Tyler Ladendorf has been instrumental in the RockHounds' back-to-back wins (Thursday and Friday), going a combined 4-for-7, with two doubles, two runs scored, three RBI, and a walk. Jefry Marte went 2-for-3 (plus a walk) Friday with a double and an RBI, and started two key double plays at third base.

Rocky Town

- The RockHounds are home Saturday (7:00 p.m.) and Sunday (6:00 p.m.), hosting the Springfield Cardinals in the season's next-to-last home stand (the 'Hounds are then back on the road for eight days beginning Monday).

- Saturday night will feature one of the two remaining fireworks shows 0n the 2013 schedule.

WP: Sean Murphy (7-6, 3.82)

LP: Zach Petrick (2-2, 4.35)

Next Game

vs. Springfield Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals' AA Affiliate)

Saturday, August 17 - 7:00 p.m. (Radio at 6:55 p.m.)

Citibank Ballpark - Saturday's game will be broadcast on Classic Rock 102.1 FM

Probable Starters

Springfield: (RH) Anthony Ferrara (7-4, 5.21)

RockHounds: (RH) Drew Granier (2-6, 5.90)