Hounds Win Grainer's Double-A Debut

Sunday afternoon was pitcher Drew Granier's debut with the RockHounds (and his first game at the class Double-A level). Two batters into the game, the right-hander had allowed one run on two hits and two stolen bases, with a runner in scoring position.  

Seven innings later, the Thibodaux, Louisiana, native left the game having pitched seven innings, allowing only that single run on four hits, walking one and striking out four as the RockHounds defeated the San Antonio Missions, 14-3, at Citibank Ballpark.

The final score, as it relates to Granier's performance, is extremely misleading. The game was close for most of his time on the mound. Here's a chronology of the key events that followed San Antonio's game-opening run:

• D'Arby Myers scored … from first base … on Anthony Aliotti's single to left-center in the third inning. Myers was running on a 3-2 pitch, but would (under most circumstances) not be expected to try to score. Manager Aaron Nieckula, coaching third base, waved Myers around, and caught the San Antonio outfielders completely off-guard. With Myers rounding third, the throw came to second base. The gutsy move gave the 'Hounds a 1-1 tie.

 

• The score was still tied, 1-1, and the RockHounds at bat, in the fourth with the bases empty, two out, and an 0-2 count on Dusty Coleman. Coleman sent a 1-2 pitch up the middle for a base hit, and Beau Taylor followed with a "duck snort" (a flair) single on an 0-2 pitch. Darwin Perez also got down, 0-2, but then worked a 3-2 walk to load the bases. A passed ball broke the tie and Myers followed with a two-run single, giving the RockHounds the lead for good at 4-1.

 

• After allowing the run in the top of the first, Granier retired 12 consecutive batters. He then allowed a single and a walk to open the fifth moments after the RockHounds had taken the lead. With the tying run at the plate and no outs, the 'Hounds defense backed Granier with a triple play.   Rocky Gale sent a two-hopper to third base, where Vinny Catricala made the play, stepped on the bag (out # 1), threw to Perez covering second (out # 2), and on to Aliotti at first, completing the "5-4-3" triple play.

 

• The RockHounds then broke the game open against the San Antonio bullpen. Coleman went 3-fo-r 5 with two doubles, three runs, and an RBI … Chad Oberacker scored one and drove in three more (including a two-run triple, his league-leading eighth three-bagger of the season) … Perez finished with two runs and two RBI and Myers scored twice and drove in three.

 

• Oh, by the way, the RockHounds' first four runs came against Missions starter Matt Andriese, who entered the game 8-1, with a Texas League-leading 1.99 earned run average.

 

Kibbles & Bits

-     The RockHounds, who are below .500 at home, perhaps made a statement in the series, taking 3-of-4 from the Missions at Rocky Town.

-     "This game is goofy:" The RockHounds won Friday and Sunday's games by a combined score of 24-4. In between, they lost, 3-0 (Saturday).

-     Anthony Aliotti, Dusty Coleman, Jake Goebbert, Murphy Smith, and D'Arby Myers are on their way to the Texas League All-Star Game, where they'll represent the RockHounds and Oakland A's at the annual all-star contest. TheNorthwest Arkansas Naturals will host the event at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Arkansas, on June 25.

-     Drew Granier was promoted to the RockHounds from Stockton of the (Advanced-A) California League, where he went 6-3, with a 3.25 ERA in 14 starts. The third-year pro was selected to represent Oakland and the Ports in the annual California League-Carolina League All-Star Game.   

-     The Texas League's All-Star break is a short one (just two days), with the RockHounds then opening a six-game road trip with a three-game series against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals . The 'Hounds all-stars will avoid additional travel, as the Naturals are the hosting the All-Star Game. The 'Hounds will also play three games at North Little Rock, Arkansas, before returning to Citibank Ballpark for a six-game home stand which will include the Fourth of July (July 3-8).     

 

WP     Drew Granier              (1-0, 1.29)

LP       Matt Andriese            (8-2, 2.37)

 

Next Game

vs. Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Kansas City Royals' AA Affiliate)                  

Wednesday, June 26      7:05 p.m.        Radio at 7:00 p.m.

Arvest Ballpark              Springdale, AR