'Hounds walk off on 9th-inning error, 5-4

MIDLAND, Tx. -- The Midland RockHounds (2-0, 36-35) capitalized on a rare error by the Springfield Cardinals (0-2, 30-42) in the bottom of the ninth to walk off on the miscue with a 5-4 win in the series finale on Wednesday night.

DECISIONS:
W: RHP John Gorman (4-4)
L: RHP Kodi Whitley (1-3)

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED:
-After the Cardinals plated an unearned run in the 1st, the RockHounds jumped ahead with three runs in the second on a two-run shot by 3B Edwin Diaz and an RBI single from SS Kevin Merrell, providing an early 3-1 lead for Midland.

-Midland padded the lead with one run in the bottom of the third, but C Brian O'Keefe brought the Cardinals back within two runs, 4-2, with a solo home run that led off the fourth.

-The Cardinals powered their way back even on the board in the sixth with solo blasts by RF Johan Mieses and 1B Zach Kirtley, tying the game at 4-4.

-With runners at second and third and two away in the bottom of the ninth, Midland CF Dairon Blanco grounded the ball to short, but SS Rayder Ascanio had a momentary bobble on the play for a fielding error that allowed SS Kevin Merrell to score and the RockHounds to walk off, 5-4.

NOTABLES:
-3B Jose Martinez went 3x5 with a double, two singles and a run.

-All nine Cardinals starters notched at least one hit, combining to tally 12 hits in the game.

-RHP Angel Rondon made the start and finished his outing strong, retiring nine of his last 11 batters faced with six strikeouts during that stretch. He finished with four runs on eight hits, one walk and seven strikeouts in 5.2 innings.

WHAT'S ON DECK:
-The Cardinals continue the road trip in Corpus Christi on Thursday at 6:15pm. Catch all the action live on Jock 98.7 FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Harbell's Grill and Sports Bar Pregame Show.