RockHounds Fall In San Antonio
Deluxe Triskaidekaphobia
"Triskaidekaphobia" is the fear of the number 13, making any Friday the 13th a dicey day for those who are afflicted. Triskaidekaphobia notwithstanding, Friday the 13th was not a good day for the RockHounds - - - they fell, 9-1 at San Antonio and, in doing so, clinched the first half pennant for the Frisco RoughRiders.
Friday's game turned in the second inning, after pitcher Drew Granier made a nice play to start a 1-6-3 double play, with Dusty Coleman making the pivot. With the bases empty and two out, Granier fielded Cody Overbeck's bouncer at the third base side of the mound, but his throw to first was wide, allowing Overbeck to reach. After Adam Buschini walked, Brian Bixler's single drove in the game's first run. Reymond Fuentes followed with a walk to load the bases and Yeison Asencio belted a 2-1 Granier pitch out to left. The grand slam turned a 1-0 game into a 5-0 San Antonio advantage, and the Missions were never threatened.
Asencio added a second homer in the fourth. After narrowly missing a home run down the left field line on the first pitch of the at bat, the Missions' right fielder sent an opposite field line drive out to right field on the next delivery.
Left-hander Juan Oramas went seven strong innings, allowing one run one six hits, walking one and striking out seven.
The RockHounds loss also gave Frisco the first half title in the Texas League South. Despite an extra-innings loss at Corpus Christi, the RoughRiders' magic number was just one entering Friday's play, so the 'Hounds's defeat allowed the champagne corks to pop at "the beach."
WP Juan Oramas (2-0, 0.48)
LP Drew Granier (3-3, 3.56)
HR: San Antonio - Yeison Asencio (5) A grand slam in the second (off Drew Granier)
San Antonio - Yeison Asencio (6) Solo in the fourth (off Drew Granier)
San Antonio - Lee Orr (7) Solo in the eighth (off Andrew Werner)
Kibbles & Bits
- Conner Crumbliss (1-4) reached base for the ninth straight game (11-36, .306).
- Max Muncy (0-3, walk) reached base for the 28th time in 30 games, and also won the "tough as a hockey player" award for the night. In the third, Jason Hagerty advanced from second to third on a wild pitch. As he fielded Blake Forsyhthe's throw, Muncy turned as the runner got to the bag (standing up). The brim of Hagerty's batting helmet cut the 'Hounds third baseman across the bridge of the nose. After being treated by Athletic Trainer Justin Whitehouse, Muncy remained in the game, looking decidedly more like a hockey player than a 'Hound.
- After being struck in the batting helmet by a pitch Wednesday night, Josh Whitaker remained out of the lineup (day-to-day). Because the HBP was his only plate appearance Wednesday, Whitaker's 12- game hit streak (19-47, .404, HR, 11 RBI) remains intact. Josh is now tied for the Texas League lead with a .324 average … and ranks second in both RBI (42) and slugging percentage (.537).
- Leftover Stat du Jour / "What Are The Odds?" In Thursday night's win, both Miles Head and Jefry Marte stole a base for the first time this season. In each case, the "thievery" came against one of the top catching prospects in the game, San Antonio's Austin Hedges. The top prospect of the San Diego Padres, Hedges entered Wednesday's game throwing out 40% of opposing base stealers. Hedges is one of only two catchers in the Texas League this season to throw out Billy Burns, the league's leading base stealer. Head's steal was his first as a RockHound and just the ninth of his professional career.
- The RockHounds, now 4-3 on their eight-game road swing, wrap up the trip Saturday night (7:05) in San Antonio. The 'Hounds then return home for a four-game series versus Frisco (Sunday, June 15, through Wednesday, June 18). The first two games of the series conclude the first half, while games three and four mark the opening of the second half, with all eight Texas League clubs reverting back to 0-0 on June 17.
Next Game
vs. San Antonio Missions (San Diego Padres' AA Affiliate)
Saturday, June 14 - 7:05 p.m. (Radio at 7:00 p.m.)
Nelson Wolff Stadium - San Antonio, TX
Probable Starters
RockHounds: Shawn Haviland (RH, 3-2, 3.50)
San Antonio: Bryce Morrow (RH, 1st start)