Miles Head and Arnold Leon Push Hounds to Win

The RockHounds finished their eight-game home stand with a 3-5 mark, but Saturday night's 6-2 win was one of the club's most "complete" performances of the season. Arnold Leon pitched eight strong innings for the win, backed at the plate by the return of Miles Head.   After missing more than three weeks on the disabled list (and being far less than 100% all season) with a left shoulder injury, Miles went 2-for-4 with a double, a run and three RBI. All nine batters in the 'Hounds' order reached base, with seven either scoring a run, driving in a run, or both. 

Defensively, Dusty Coleman led the way with several outstanding efforts. The best, and most significant, came on a diving grab of Jake Blackwood's sharp one-hopper up the middle leading off the Missions' fifth inning. Dusty went "horizontal," making a diving stop and throwing to first for the out. San Antonio, trailing, 2-0, went on to score their only two runs of the game in that same inning, with Coleman's play (in hindsight) saving at least one run.

In the top of the first, the 'Hounds recorded a most unusual putout, accomplished with some good "detective" work. San Antonio's Cory Spangenberg sent a ball down the left field line for an apparent double. First baseman Anthony Aliotti saw that Spangenberg (who has what is referred to as "plus-plus" speed) missed first base. "Ali" called for the ball … the appeal was upheld … and Spangenberg (instead of a double in the top of the first) was out "7-6-3." Sherlock Holmes Night at Rocky Town!   

Head, who went 0-for-4 in his first game back (Thursday), drove in three and scored another of the team's six runs. Rated a top 10 prospect in the Oakland A's organization, Miles is certainly a bat the RockHounds have missed in 2013. After torching the (Advanced-A) California League last season (hitting .382) at age 21, he was solid in the second half after a promotion to the 'Hounds, posting a .272 average. The left shoulder injury that has hampered him this season dates back to the 2012 Arizona Fall League. He re-habbed the shoulder for more than three weeks before coming off the D-L Thursday.  

Kibbles & Bits

-     Leon's eight-inning "quality start" was the second in as many nights for the RockHounds. Zach Neal went eight innings Friday, albeit in a losing effort (3-0), allowing just one earned run. Saturday, though, the 'Hounds bats backed Leon's outstanding start.   

-     The RockHounds travel to Frisco for a four-game series (Sunday-Wednesday) which will both complete the Texas League's first half pennant race and begin the second. The RockHounds and RoughRiders meet Sunday at 4:05, Monday and Tuesday (7:05 both evenings) and cap the set with an 11:05 a.m. start Wednesday.

-     In a "twist" to the schedule, the 'Hounds then come home to again face San Antonio. The four-game series opens with a "Thirsty Thursday" (June 20) and includes Electronics Giveaway Night (sponsored by Best Buy on Friday the 21^st) and a post-game fireworks show on Saturday the 22^nd.   The series concludes with the final afternoon game (until Labor Day weekend at the end of the season).   

 

WP     Arnold Leon              (4-4, 3.75)

LP       Mat Wisler                 (3-3, 4.26)

SV      None                                  (6, 1.95)

HR     None                 

 

Next Game

vs. Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers' AA Affiliate)

Sunday, June 16                4:05 p.m.        Radio at 4:00 p.m.

Dr Pepper Ballpark          Frisco, TX                                           

 

Probable Starters

Frisco (RH) Kevin Pucetas    (7-5, 4.61)

RockHounds (RH) Sean Murphy      (3-2, 4.88)