Oberacker's Walk Off Single Snaps Losing Streak
The RockHounds' locker room has a little more space today … the 500-pouund gorilla has vacated the premises. The gorilla … an eight-game losing streak … didn't go quietly, as it took a walk-off single from Chad Oberacker in the last of the ninth to get the job done. "OB's RBI single brought Dusty Coleman home with the tie-breaking run, as the 'Hounds defeated Frisco, 5-4, Sunday afternoon.
The game was something of a case of "role reversal" from Saturday night, when the visiting RoughRiders scored four in the first and held the RockHounds off, winning 4-2. Sunday afternoon, it was the 'Hounds who scored early, with Jeremy Barfield ripping a three-run home run in the first inning, driving in Oberacker and Anthony Aliotti, both of whom had walked.
Frisco erased the 3-0 deficit in the third with a pair of singles, a walk, and an error, and the game remained tied until the seventh.
Catcher Beau Taylor bunted his way on to open the home half of the seventh and Tyler Ladendorf followed with the single and D'Arby Myers' sacrifice bunt pushed the runners to second and third. Frisco reliever Phil Klein struck out back-to-back hitters, but threw one wild pitch in the sequence, bringing Taylor home with the go-ahead run.
Frisco again equalized in the top of the eighth on Jared Hoying's RBI single.
Dusty Coleman put an 0-2 pitch in play and reached on an error to open the last of the ninth, with Taylor then turning an 0-2 count into an eventual walk. Ladendorf's sac bunt forced the RoughRiders to load the bases with an intentional walk (Myers), and Oberacker followed, sending a 3-2 pitch into center.
South Division
Corpus Christi got a three-run home run from Houston Astros' outfielder J.D. Martinez (with the Hooks on a re-hab assignment) and went on to defeat the Missions, 7-3, in San Antonio. The Hooks (18-12) lead the South Division by one game over Frisco and three over San Antonio with the RockHounds remaining four back.
Kibbles & Bits
- Chad Oberacker went 2-for-4, with a triple and a walk, scoring one run and driving in the game-winner. The walk-off was Chad's 16th, RBI of the season, which leads the team. "OB" is 6-for-14 in his last three games.
- RockHounds starter Murphy Smith turned in another quality start, allowing five hits and two walks, with four strikeouts, over 7.0 innings. Of the three runs surrendered in the fourth inning, only one was earned. In his last four starts, "Murph" is 2-1, with a 1.04 ERA.
- Frisco starter Carlos Pimentel (much like 'Hounds' starter Carlos Hernandez on Saturday) gave up a big inning in the first, then settles in and would not allow another run, pitching through the sixth. Two of the three runs were scored by batters who had walked, which was ironic, as Pimentel had walked just six batters (of 114 faced) to date this season entering the game. He walked two of the first three (both scored) and three-of-the-first-eight. He recovered, throwing 38 strikes on his last 48 pitches and striking out eight batters for the game.
- Shortstop Dusty Coleman and outfielder D'Arby Myers made tremendous defensive plays for the 'Hounds. Coleman saved a run in the Frisco third inning, making a play behind the bag at second (with a runner at third and two out), taking a hit away from Guilder Rodriguez. Myers made a diving catch on a ball in shallow left-center … again off the bat of Rodriguez … in the fifth.
- The RockHounds host Frisco Monday evening (6:30), then conclude the series and home stand Tuesday morning (11:00) with the annual Safety Awareness (Kids) Day.
- Texas Rangers left-hander Martin Perez is scheduled to make a re-hab start Monday. He is recovering from a fractured left forearm suffered in an early march Spring Training game when he was struck by a line drive. He will oppose the 'Hounds' Zach Neal (2-0, 2.16).
Line Score R H E LOB
Frisco RoughRiders 4 7 1 3
RockHounds 5 7 1 7
WP Kyler Newby (1-3, 2.20)
LP Ryan Rodebaugh (1-1, 2.20)
Sv None (BS, Newby)
HR RockHounds Jeremy Barfield A 3-run HR in the 1st (off Carlos Pimentel)
Next Game
vs. Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers' AA Affiliate)
Monday, May 6 6:30 p.m. Radio at 6:15 p.m.
Citibank Ballpark