Texas League
Newsletter
Vol. XXI, No. 21
Texas League playoff preview
Drillers take on Travelers while Hooks battle Missions
By Todd Traub/Special to MiLB.com 9/3/13
Four teams with recent postseason history will tussle in the Texas League playoffs beginning
Wednesday.
Arkansas won the second-half North division title to meet first-half champion Tulsa in the
opening round. In the South, Corpus Christi defeated San Antonio on the final day of the
season to become the double champion and relegate San Antonio to the wild card by virtue of
having the second-best overall record.
Arkansas and San Antonio met in the 2011 championship series, which San Antonio swept in
three games. Corpus Christi reached the playoffs last year but bowed out in the divisional round
on a sweep by Frisco and Tulsa made the postseason last year and lost three games to one
against eventual champion Springfield.
Of the four, only Tulsa has yet to win a championship in this century. The Drillers' last title came
when they beat Wichita in a seven-game series in 1998. Arkansas won the 2008 title against
Frisco and Corpus Christi beat Wichita in 2006, while San Antonio, the most experienced
playoff team of the four, has the 2011 championship as its most recent.
The divisional and championship series are best-of-5.
Tulsa (68-70) North Division first-half champion vs.
Arkansas (73-66) North Division second-half champion
Arkansas won the season series, 18-14
Game 1 at Tulsa, Sept. 4 at 8:05 p.m. ET
Game 2 at Tulsa, Sept. 5 at 8:05 p.m. ET
Game 3 at Arkansas, Sept. 6 at 8:10 p.m. ET
Game 4 at Arkansas, (if necessary) Sept. 7 at 1:10 p.m. ET
Game 5 at Arkansas, (if necessary) Sept. 8 at 3:10 p.m. ET
Tulsa's Texas League North Division first-half championship may have been anticlimactic, but
the way the Drillers figure it, they will just have to provide the excitement in the postseason.
For full article, including South Division preview, go to:
http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130903&content_id=59300848&fext=.jsp&vkey
=news_l109&sid=l109
2013 Texas League Post-Season All-Stars and Award Winners
On Tuesday, August 27, the Texas League announced its 2013 Post-Season All-Star Team, as
well as the winners of the Player, Pitcher, Manager and Coach of the Year awards. The South
Division, first-half champion Corpus Christi Hooks led the way with five selections, including
Player of the Year George Springer. Corpus Christi starter David Martinez earned Pitcher of the
Year after earning a 14-2 record in 26 games, posting a league-best ERA of 2.02.
Below is the complete list of the All-Stars and individual award winners:
2013
Texas League
Post-Season All-Star Team
C
Max Stassi, Corpus Christi
1B
Anthony Aliotti, Midland
2B
Taylor Lindsey, Arkansas
3B
Ruben Gotay, Springfield
3B
Jonathan Meyer, Corpus Christi
SS
Cristhian Adames, Tulsa
UT
Angelys Nina, Tulsa
OF
Reymond Fuentes, San Antonio
OF
Mike O'Neill, Springfield
OF
Kyle Parker, Tulsa
OF
George Springer, Corpus Christi
DH
Brett Nicholas, Frisco
P
Christian Bergman, Tulsa
P
Mike Foltynewicz, Corpus Christi
P
Carlos Hernandez, Midland
P
Brandon Hynick, Arkansas
P
Jeremy McBryde, San Antonio
P
David Martinez, Corpus Christi
P
Kevin Quackenbush, San Antonio
P
Neil Ramirez, Frisco
P
Keyvius Sampson, San Antonio
Texas League Manager of the Year
Rich Dauer, San Antonio
Texas League Player of the Year
George Springer, Corpus Christi
Texas League Pitcher of the Year
David Martinez, Corpus Christi
Mike Coolbaugh Texas League Coach of the Year
Gary Ruby, Corpus Christi
Springer, Hooks top Texas All-Stars
First-place Corpus Christi sweeps MVP, top pitcher awards
By John Parker/ MiLB.com 8/27/13
George Springer hasn't played in the Texas League for more than two months, but his shadow
looms large over the circuit's 2013 season.
Springer, the Astros' No. 3 prospect, was named the Double-A circuit's Player of the Year on
Tuesday. He hit .297 with 19 homers, 55 RBIs and 23 stolen bases in 73 games for Corpus
Christi before his promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City in late June.
Springer leads the Minor Leagues with 37 home runs overall and, having already stolen 43 bases,
is trying to become just the fifth player in Minor League history to have a 40/40 season.
His Corpus Christi ballclub, first in the league with an 80-53 record, also led the way with five
players named to the 2013 Texas League Postseason All-Star Team. Along with Springer, the
Hooks are represented by catcher Max Stassi, third baseman Jonathan Meyer and right-handers
Michael Foltynewicz and David Martinez.
Martinez, who joined Springer in Oklahoma City earlier this month, was named Pitcher of the
Year. The 26-year-old hurler went 14-2 with a league-best 2.02 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 26
appearances (18 starts) for the Hooks. No one else in the Texas League has more than 10 wins.
First-half North champion Tulsa (Rockies) contributed three hitters and one pitcher, while
playoff-bound San Antonio (Padres) had three pitchers and one hitter honored.
The league's top hitter (.350) and on-base performer (.452), Anthony Aliotti of Midland, was
named the All-Star first baseman. The All-Star designated hitter is Frisco's Brett Nicholas, who
leads the league with 89 RBIs.
Arkansas (Angels), Frisco (Rangers), Midland (A's) and Springfield (Cardinals) are represented
by two players apiece. Northwest Arkansas (Royals) was shut out.
San Antonio skipper Rich Dauer was named Manager of the Year. His club has both scored and
allowed the fewest runs in the league en route to what is currently its second-best record, 3 1/2
games behind Corpus Christi. Hooks pitching coach Gary Ruby was honored as the Mike
Coolbaugh Texas League Coach of the Year.
For full article, go to:
http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130827&content_id=58634904&fext=.jsp&vkey
=news_l109&sid=l109
Texas League playoff preview
Drillers take on Travelers while Hooks battle Missions
By Todd Traub/Special to MiLB.com 9/3/13
Four teams with recent postseason history will tussle in the Texas League playoffs beginning
Wednesday.
Arkansas won the second-half North division title to meet first-half champion Tulsa in the
opening round. In the South, Corpus Christi defeated San Antonio on the final day of the
season to become the double champion and relegate San Antonio to the wild card by virtue of
having the second-best overall record.
Arkansas and San Antonio met in the 2011 championship series, which San Antonio swept in
three games. Corpus Christi reached the playoffs last year but bowed out in the divisional round
on a sweep by Frisco and Tulsa made the postseason last year and lost three games to one
against eventual champion Springfield.
Of the four, only Tulsa has yet to win a championship in this century. The Drillers' last title came
when they beat Wichita in a seven-game series in 1998. Arkansas won the 2008 title against
Frisco and Corpus Christi beat Wichita in 2006, while San Antonio, the most experienced
playoff team of the four, has the 2011 championship as its most recent.
The divisional and championship series are best-of-5.
Tulsa (68-70) North Division first-half champion vs.
Arkansas (73-66) North Division second-half champion
Arkansas won the season series, 18-14
Game 1 at Tulsa, Sept. 4 at 8:05 p.m. ET
Game 2 at Tulsa, Sept. 5 at 8:05 p.m. ET
Game 3 at Arkansas, Sept. 6 at 8:10 p.m. ET
Game 4 at Arkansas, (if necessary) Sept. 7 at 1:10 p.m. ET
Game 5 at Arkansas, (if necessary) Sept. 8 at 3:10 p.m. ET
Tulsa's Texas League North Division first-half championship may have been anticlimactic, but
the way the Drillers figure it, they will just have to provide the excitement in the postseason.
For full article, including South Division preview, go to:
http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130903&content_id=59300848&fext=.jsp&vkey
=news_l109&sid=l109
Small-college gems make most of chance in Double-A
By Kary Booher/Springfield News-Leader 8/28/13
Talk about the real world tugging at the back of your jersey. Zach Petrick all but had the resume
on standby, the coat and tie, too.
And yet only 14 months after no big-league organization bothered to draft him — and having
pitched his junior and senior seasons for a start-up program in the college baseball’s lowest rung,
NAIA — here he is finishing the season in Double-A baseball.
But not simply finishing but succeeding.
Then again, so too are a small band of small-college pitchers on the Springfield Cardinals roster:
Lee Stoppelman, Jonathan Cornelius, Heath Wyatt. Each climbed from NCAA Division II
schools. Each are doing more than hanging around.
“All I wanted was a chance,” Petrick was saying recently.
Fortunately for him, the right-hander found an organization unafraid to take chances on
small-college finds, as the St. Louis Cardinals’ scouting department continues to cast a wide net and
feed a farm system that entered this year ranked No. 1 in the game.
In the Texas League this season, take pitching staffs as one example.
Many were a mix of prospects and retreads. However, Springfield’s rotation and bullpen featured
prospects as well as those from dots on the small-college map who try to push their way on to the
prospect radar.
Cornelius has meandered his way from a place called Florida Institute of Technology, where he
required two sophomore seasons after a cyst developed in the back of the left-hander’s pitching
shoulder.
Petrick climbed from the University of Northwestern Ohio, dominated earlier this season in two
Class A leagues and, in his most recent start here, was firing in fastballs at 94 mph — and
dominating again.
Naturally, their presence brings a smile to Springfield manager Mike Shildt. His club, which
ends its regular season this weekend at Hammons Field, has remained in the playoff chase for
weeks.
For full article, go to:
http://www.news-leader.com/article/20130828/SPORTS02/308280044/Springfield-Cardinals-small-college-finds
Booher: Springfield manager sees season as a success
By Kary Booher/Springfield News-Leader 9/1/13
Mike Shildt and September playoff baseball long have gone hand in hand. Like soda and Sonic
ice. Like sugar on mini-wheats cereal. You just can’t have one without the other.
(Or maybe that’s just me.)
So you can probably guess that the Springfield Cardinals skipper these days must feel like a fish
out of water.
In fact, once the season ends Monday, Shildt is disappearing into the Ozarks to do some fishing
and hanging around the area. Which is odd, considering that in the past three seasons, league
championships all, those afternoons were spent studying opponents’ stats and filling out lineups.
Starting the offseason early usually was for everybody else.
“I’m not used to it,” Shildt conceded the other day, albeit with a chuckle. “But I’m completely
comfortable with it. And I’m actually more satisfied than any of the previous three years I’ve
managed.”
Really? That was my immediate reaction, given this year’s Double-A club won’t finish above
.500.
And then it came, a response that said everything you needed to know about the operating model
of the minor leagues, how this season was a success in so many other ways.
“Absolutely,” Shildt said. “Minor league championships are wonderful and they’re great
experiences. Most importantly, they are great opportunities for guys to compete in that
environment because we can’t duplicate that in an everyday setting.
“But the reality is our job is to develop players and make players understand what this
organization is about and what expectations are all about at the major-league level. Our players
have grown.”
In all honesty, it was a surprise that Shildt doesn’t have a large bruise on his forehead by now.
You know, from beating his head against a wall.
For full article, go to:
http://www.news-leader.com/article/20130901/SPORTS02/309010037/kary-booher-mike-shildt-springfield-cardinals
TEXAS LEAGUE BASEBALL: Myers takes it easy about
31-game hit streak
By Adam Zuvanich/Odessa American 8/28/13*
MIDLAND
There are things baseball players just don’t like to talk about, especially as they’re
happening.
It’s an unwritten rule, for example, that pitchers working on a no-hitter should be left alone in the
dugout between innings. And if a hitter is on a hot streak, the last thing he wants to do is hear
about it and think about why.
So Midland RockHounds manager Aaron Nieckula, whose center fielder has the longest hitting
streak in professional baseball this season, played dumb before Wednesday’s game against San
Antonio at Citibank Ballpark.
“What streak?” Nieckula said with a straight face. “No, I’m serious. He has a streak? Like
streaks in his pants?”
The center fielder in question, D’Arby Myers, isn’t so worried about jinxing a streak that reached
31 games with an eighth-inning single Wednesday night. Because he’s already set the
RockHounds record for the longest hitting streak — current Houston Astro Chris Carter hit
safely in 25 consecutive games in 2009 — and it's likely that no one at any level of pro baseball
will top it this season.
Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz and the Colorado Rockies’ Michael Cuddyer both had 27-game
hitting streaks earlier this season, with Ortiz’s carrying over from 2012. The Washington
Nationals' Denard Span has the longest current streak in the majors at 11 games, and the
Nationals have 30 regular-season games remaining.
“If you told me that before the season, I probably would have thought you were crazy,” Myers
said. “With a million people doing this? Like, really? It feels great. I have goals to do good
things, but it wasn’t something I wrote on a piece of paper. It just sort of happened with just
going out there and grinding every day.”
For full article, go to:
http://www.oaoa.com/sports/local/franchise/rockhounds/article_ca0df696-1064-11e3-9340-001a4bcf6878.html
* Myers' hitting streak ended on August 30, when he went 0-for-4. During the streak, which
began July 21, Myers hit .357 with two homers, a triple and seven doubles, scoring 23 times. The
streak fell just four shy of the Texas League record, held by Bobby Trevino, who hit safely in 37
consecutive games for El Paso in 1969.
Topps Texas League Co-Player of the Month,
August
OF Randal Grichuk, Arkansas Travelers
.304 AVG (35-for-115) 20 RBI, 7 HR, 8 2B, 16 extra base hits, 66 TB, .333 OBP, .907 OPS
Arkansas right fielder Randal Grichuk earned Topps Texas League Co-Player of the Month for
August after leading the league in multiple slugging categories, including home runs (7), total
bases (66), and slugging (.574), while scoring the most runs (22) and finishing tied for fifth in
RBIs (20). Grichuk also notched eight doubles and swiped three bases, while posting an on-base
percentage of .333. The dynamic lead-off man helped lead the Travelers, who clinched the North
Division's second-half title on August 30, to a 15-13 record during the month.
Grichuk hit safely in 19 of his 27 games last month, racking up 35 total hits, including a
league-best 16 for extra-bases. Grichuk had his league-best series of the month in the days preceding his 22nd
birthday on August 13, when Arkansas dropped two out of three at Corpus Christi. The
Travelers' lack of success had little to do with Grichuk, who drove in seven of Arkansas' 11 total
runs in the series, capping the fantastic stretch with a 4-for-4 game that included two homers,
five RBIs and three runs scored. On August 23 in the Travelers' 7-6 win at Tulsa, Grichuk
notched another two-homer game, this time driving in three runs and scoring three times, adding
a stolen base.
Selected by the Angels with the 24th overall pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, Grichuk
has enjoyed a steady rise through the organization despite struggling with multiple injuries early
in his professional career. Grichuk made his professional debut in the Arizona Summer League
in 2009, where he hit .322 with 7 homers, 10 triples and 13 doubles. Over his next two
League, the Midwest League and the California League. In 2012, Grichuk enjoyed an injury-free
breakout campaign for Inland Empire in the California League, posting a slash line of
.298/.335/.488, while hammering 13 homers, nine triples and 30 doubles. Prior to this season,
Grichuk was ranked by
Baseball America
as the number six prospect in the Angels system. This
is Grichuk's first time earning a Player of the Month award, having earned Player of the Week
honors on August 11 in the Texas League and on August 6, 2012 in the California League.
Topps Texas League Co-Player of the Month,
August
OF/1B Kyle Parker, Tulsa Drillers
.330 AVG (38-for-115) 23 RBI, 5 HR, 7 2B, 13 extra base hits, 62 TB, .391 OBP, .930 OPS
Tulsa outfielder and first baseman Kyle Parker earned Topps Texas League Co-Player of the
Month for August after a remarkably productive month. Parker led the league last month with 38
hits and 23 RBIs, while finishing third in batting average (.330), slugging (.539), OPS (.930) and
total bases (62). The right-handed slugger added five homers, seven doubles and notched his first
triple of the season, while scoring 15 times and stealing four bases without being caught.
Parker, who played 10 of his 27 games at first base, was a consistent force in the Drillers' lineup,
hitting safely in 22 games, including 11 multi-hit efforts. The 23-year-old turned in his best
performances during the first 11 games of the month, during which he was 19-for-49, good for a
.388 average, with all five of his homers in the month and 15 RBIs. During the month, Parker
had three separate six-game hitting streaks, the last one coming in the final six games of the
month, when he racked up 10 hits.
Selected by Colorado with the 26th pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, Parker returned to
Clemson University to play quarterback that year, his sophomore season, after becoming the first
player in NCAA history to throw 20 touchdown passes and hit 20 homers in the same athletic
season in 2009. Parker made his professional baseball debut in 2011, when he hit .285/.367/.483
in 117 games for Asheville in the South Atlantic League. In 2012, Parker spent the entire season
with Modesto in the California League, where he earned post-season all-star honors after leading
the league with a .415 on-base percentage. In 123 games with Tulsa this season, Parker hit
.288/.345/.492 with 23 homers and 74 RBIs, again earning post-season all-star honors. This is
Parker's second time earning Player of the Week honors, having won the award on July 16, 2012
in the California League.
Player of the Week, August 26-September 2
1B Tommy Medica, San Antonio Missions
.419 AVG (13-for-31) 8 RBI, 3 HR, 4 2B, 7 extra base hits, 26 TB, .455 OBP, 1.293 OPS
San Antonio first baseman Tommy Medica earned Texas League Player of the Week honors
after an extremely productive final eight games at the close of the season, during which he led
the league in home runs (3), slugging (.839), extra-base hits (7), runs (10) and OPS (1.293). The
right-handed slugger posted a .419 average, while reaching base at a .455 clip, drawing one walk
and striking out just three times in 33 total plate appearances. Medica recorded at least one hit in
six of his eight games last week, notching multiple hits three times.
Medica's most productive games of the week came in the Missions' season-ending series at
Corpus Christi, when he had back-to-back four-hit efforts. On August 31, Medica had a home
run, a double, two RBIs and scored three times in San Antonio's heart-breaking 10-9 loss.
However the next day, in a 13-9 win over the Hooks, Medica upped his performance, blasting
two homers and a double, while driving in three runs and scoring four times. After his strong
performance during the season's final week, Medica boasts a team-high 18 homers despite
missing roughly half the season with a hamstring injury.
Selected by San Diego in the 14th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, Medica has hit at
every level of professional baseball after a rough introduction in 2010, when he hit just .176 in
34 games for Eugene in the Northwest League. Medica turned it around in 2011, when he split
the season between the Midwest League and the California League, where he hit .302/.440/.504
in 42 games to finish the season. The Santa Clara University product spent the entire 2012
season with Lake Elsinore, where he dominated the California League to the tune of a .330
average, hammering 19 homers and driving in 87 runs in just 93 games. In 2013, Medica
continued to show his ability to hit and get on base, posting a .296 average and an OBP of .372,
while slugging at an incredible .582. This is Medica's first time earning Player of the Week
honors.
Pitcher of the Week, August 26-September 2
LHP Luis Cruz, Corpus Christi Hooks
1-0(W-L), 0.00 ERA, 10.0 innings pitched, 3 hits, 16 strikeouts, 2 walks, opponents AVG-.097
Corpus Christi left-hander Luis Cruz earned Texas League Pitcher of the Week honors after
having a career day in just his third appearance and second start at the Double-A level, a 5-0 win
at San Antonio. Promoted from the California League on August 17, Cruz took the hill on
August 26 at Wolff Stadium and staked an early claim to the Pitcher of the Week award when he
struck out a career-high 14 in a complete-game, two-hit, one-walk shutout. His spectacular
outing tied a Hooks single-game strikeout record set June 27, 2011 by Xavier Cedeno. Cruz also
made a relief appearance last week, allowing one hit and one walk in a scoreless inning on
August 30 in a 3-1 Hooks loss to Frisco.
Selected by Houston in the ninth round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, Cruz made his
professional debut for Greenville in the Appalachian League, where he made seven starts in
2008, before returning to make 12 appearances (10 starts) in 2009. In 2010, the Puerto Rico
native spent the entire season with Lexington in the South Atlantic League, where he went 8-5
with a 3.61 ERA in 20 appearances (16 starts). Cruz remained in the South Atlantic League for
the next two seasons, going 9-8 with a 4.05 ERA and 135 strikeouts in 146.2 innings in 2012,
before debuting with Lancaster in the California League this season. The 22-year-old made 27
appearances (18 starts) for Lancaster, earning an 8-6 record before his promotion to Corpus
Christi on August 17. This is Cruz' first time earning Pitcher of the Week honors.
North Division Notes
8/26-9/2
Arkansas Travelers
Los Angeles Angels Affiliate This Week: 8-0; Second Half Record: 40-30
Overall Record: 73-66 Second Half: 1st Place North Division
Monday, August 26: W, 9-5 @ Northwest Arkansas
In a 9-5 win at Northwest Arkansas, Arkansas right fielder Randal Grichuk paced the Travelers offense with a 4-for-5 performance that included two doubles and three RBIs. Joining Grichuk in the doubles column were catcher Jett Bandy and second baseman Taylor Lindsey. Also recording two hits in the game was third baseman Kaleb Cowart, while first baseman C.J. Cron notched two RBIs without recording a hit, first on a bases-loaded walk, then on a run-producing ground out. In the Travelers uprising, seven different players scored at least one run, led by Bandy, who scored three times. On the mound, starter Mike Piazza (6-2) earned his sixth win of the season after twirling a quality start in which he allowed two runs on five hits and three walks over six innings, while striking out six. Following Piazza, Manny Correa earned his first save of the season despite giving up three runs on two hits and one walk over the final three innings.
Tuesday, August 27: W, 8-4 vs. Springfield
In Arkansas' 14-hit, 8-4 win over Springfield, every member of the Travelers lineup notched at least one hit. Left fielder Cyle Hankerd led the way with a 3-for-3 performance that included a double and three runs scored, while right fielder Randal Grichuk added a single and a double, scoring twice. Also contributing were second baseman Taylor Lindsey and shortstop Jimmy Swift, who each poked two singles and scored once. On the mound, starter Brandon Hynick (11-5) earned his team-leading 11th win of the season after tossing five innings. Hynick allowed three runs on four hits and one walk, while striking out seven before Ryan Chaffee came on to pitch the sixth and
seventh, giving up one run on two hits, while striking out three. Reliever David Carpenter struck out one in a perfect eighth, before left-hander Nick Maronde gave up two hits in a scoreless ninth. With the win, Arkansas moved two games ahead of Northwest Arkansas in the North Division second-half standings with six games to play.
Wednesday, August 28: W, 3-1 vs. Springfield
In a 3-1 win over Springfield, Arkansas first baseman C.J. Cron's two-run dinger in the third inning proved to be the difference in the contest. With the game tied at one, right fielder Randal Grichuk led off the bottom of the third with an infield single, then advanced to second when second baseman Taylor Lindsey drew a walk. After Cyle Hankerd lined into a double play, Cron plugged his 13th homer of the year and gave Arkansas their decisive 3-1 lead. The Trav's scored their first run in the bottom of the first, when Hankerd poked an RBI single to left that plated Grichuk with the games first run. On the mound, starter Michael Roth (6-3) earned his fourth consecutive victory after tossing five strong innings. The left-hander allowed one run on five hits and three walks, while striking out three. Following Roth, Elvin Ramirez struck out two and allowed one hit over two scoreless frames, before David Carpenter struck out one in a one-two-three eighth. Closer Mike Morin earned his eighth save of the season after allowing one walk and striking out one in a clean ninth.
Thursday, August 29: W, 6-4 vs. Springfield
In a 6-4 win over Springfield, Arkansas used a three-run homer by C.J. Cron to take the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Trailing 4-1, the Travelers began their fifth-inning rally with back-to-back walks drawn by centerfielder Travis Witherspoon and catcher Carlos Ramirez. Second baseman Taylor Lindsey poked a one-out, run-scoring single to right before Cron gave the Travs a 5-4 lead when he belted his 14th homer of the season,. The homer was Cron's second in as many days, and fourth in his last nine games. The Travelers tacked on an insurance run in the sixth, when Ramirez grounded into a run-producing out. On the mound, starter Mark Sappington did not factor in the decision after tossing four innings, allowing four runs on eight hits and three walks, while striking out five.
Following Sappington, Matt Oye (7-8) earned the win after issuing one walk and striking out one over two scoreless innings of relief. Right-hander Caleb Graham issued two walks and gave up one hit in a scoreless seventh, before lefty Nick Maronde struck out one in a one-two-three eighth. Closer Mike Morin wrapped up the game, earning his ninth save of the season after allowing one hit and striking out two in a scoreless ninth.
Friday, August 30: W, 4-1 vs. Springfield
With a 4-1 win over Springfield, Arkansas clinched the North Division second-half title and will square off with Tulsa in the North Division championship series. The Travelers took advantage of three Cardinals errors in the victory, while Tulsa’s extra inning victory over Northwest Arkansas eliminated the Naturals from playoff
contention. Arkansas took a 1-0 edge in their game against Springfield in the bottom of the third, when first baseman C.J. Cron lifted a sacrifice fly to right, scorings econd baseman Taylor Lindsey. After the Cardinals tied the game in the top of the fifth, the Trav’s struck for two runs in the bottom of the seventh, when Cron’s grounder to first base was misplayed, allowing a run to score and prolonging the inning for left fielder Robbie Widlansky, who poked a run-scoring single to right. In the eighth, a fielding error on catcher Jett Bandy’s two-out grounder to third extended the frame for right fielder Randal Grichuk, who promptly drove in Bandy with an RBI single of his own. On the mound, starter Lay Batista (5-8) earned the win after tossing eight magnificent innings. The 24-year-old allowed one run on two hits and three walks, while striking out two before David Carpenter wrapped up the game, earning his fifth save of the season after tossing a scoreless ninth.
Saturday, August 31: W, 3-2 vs. Northwest Arkansas
Arkansas plated two runs in the bottom of the ninth to steal a 3-2 win from Northwest Arkansas. Trailing 2-1 as they entered their final half inning, the Trav's promptly put two men on when left fielder Cyle Hankerd drew a lead off walk and designated hitter C.J. Cron was hit by a pitch. First baseman Robbie Widlansky followed Cron and promptly delivered a game-tying single to right, before Ryan Jones drew an intentional walk that loaded the bases with no outs. Then, with one out and Travis Witherspoon at the plate, Northwest Arkansas reliever Jon Keck uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Cron to scamper home with the game-winning run. The Travelers took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, when shortstop Rolando Gomez doubled to left, advanced to third on an errant pickoff throw, then scored on Hankerd’s sacrifice fly to center field. On the mound, starter Mike Piazza did not factor in the decision after tossing seven innings of two-run ball. The 26-year-old gave up six hits and two walks, while striking out four. Following Piazza, Michael Cisco walked one in a scoreless eighth, before Elvin Ramirez (1-1) earned his first win of the season after tossing a scoreless ninth.
Sunday, September 1: W, 2-0 vs. Northwest Arkansas
Arkansas centerfielder Travis Witherspoon’s two-run double in the second inning proved the difference in the Travelers’ 2-0 win over Northwest Arkansas. In the second, Witherspoon’s double drove in first baseman Robbie Widlansky and left fielder Ryan Jones, each of whom reached via a base on balls. Five Arkansas pitchers combined to toss a three-hit shutout, starting with Brandon Hynick (12-5), who earned his 12th win of the season after tossing five innings of two-hit ball. Hynick allowed one walk and recorded three strikeouts, before Caleb Graham struck out two in a perfect sixth. Following Graham, Nick Maronde gave up one hit in his one inning, while Ryan Chaffee got out of the eighth with no damage after walking a pair. In the ninth, closer Mike Morin earned his 10th save of the season after retiring the side in order. The Trav’s notched just three hits in the contest. In addition to Witherspoon's big hit, right fielder Randal Grichuk and third baseman Kaleb Cowart each singling once.
Monday, September 2: W, 5-0 vs. Northwest Arkansas
Five Arkansas pitchers combined to toss a four-hit shutout in a 5-0 win over Northwest Arkansas. Starter Matt Oye did not factor in the decision after tossing four innings of three-hit ball, while striking out one. Following Oye, Robert Coello, on a rehab assignment from the Angles, struck out two in a scoreless fifth. Michael Cisco (4-4) followed, earning the win after tossing two and one third innings of relief, giving up one hit and striking out two. Right-hander David Carpenter finished the eighth, retiring the only two hitters he faced before Elvin Ramirez wrapped up the game, issuing one walk and striking one out in the ninth. Offensively, Arkansas was led by left fielder Cyle Hankerd, who clubbed his sixth homer of the season, a two-run shot in the fifth inning that plated the Trav’s final runs. Arkansas plated their first two runs in the bottom of the second, when catcher Jett Bandy poked a run-scoring single, then scored on third baseman Rolando Gomez’ RBI double to right. The Travelers pushed their advantage to 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth, when first baseman Robbie Widlansky poked a lead off double, advanced to third on shortstop Jimmy Swift’s single to center, then scored on right fielder Ryan Jones’ sac-fly to left.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Kansas City Royals Affiliate This Week: 3-5; Second Half Record: 34-36
Overall Record: 59-81
Second Half: T-2nd Place North Division
Monday, August 26: L, 9-5 vs. Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas fell 9-5 to Arkansas after a rough outing for starter Jason Adam, who allowed eight runs over just two and one third innings. Adam (L, 8-11) gave up one run in the first and two in the second, before
surrendering a five runs in the third. When the dust settled, Adam had given up eight runs on nine hits and two walks, while striking out two before exiting the contest. Santiago Garrido wrapped up the third and pitched a scoreless fourth, then gave up one run in the fifth. Following Garrido, Sam Runion did not allow a hit in two shutout innings of relief, walking two and striking out three before Jason Bergmann notched two Ks in the eighth and ninth. The Naturals did all their scoring in the first and seventh. Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the first, centerfielder Brett Eibner poked a lead-off double and right fielder Jorge Bonifacio drew a one-out walk, setting up left fielder Lane Adams' two-run triple to center field. After the Travelers blew the game open with a five-run, third-inning rally, Northwest Arkansas capped the scoring in the bottom of the seventh, when Bonifacio hammered a three-run homer to left. The dinger was Bonifacio's second homer since July 30, when he was promoted to Double-A after hitting .296/.368/.408 in 54 games with Wilmington in the Carolina League.
Tuesday, August 27: W, 5-1 vs. Tulsa
In their 5-1 win over Tulsa, Northwest Arkansas earned the victory with a decisive four-run rally in the bottom of the eighth. The Naturals took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second, when third baseman Rey Navarro poked a run-scoring triple to right, plating first baseman Matt Fields who had drawn a two-out walk. After the Drillers tied the game at one in the top of the third, the two teams matched each other zero-for-zero until Northwest Arkansas' big eight-inning. The Naturals rally was jumpstarted when Navarro's sacrifice bunt was thrown into right field by Tulsa catcher Tom Murphy, allowing one run to score and putting runners on second and third with no outs. Catcher Juan Graterol drove in a run when he beat out a potential double play ground ball, setting up Whit Merrifield's run-scoring bunt single that pushed the lead to 4-1. Graterol scored the Naturals' final run when Tulsa reliever Kenny Roberts uncorked a wild pitch. On the mound, Northwest Arkansas starter Sugar Ray Marimon did not factor in the decision after tossing six innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits and five walks, while striking out three. Following Marimon, Scott Alexander gave up three hits and struck out one in a scoreless seventh. Finally, right-hander Andrew Triggs (1-0) earned his first win at the Double-A level after tossing the final two innings, issuing two walks and striking out three without allowing a hit.
Wednesday, August 28: W, 6-4 vs. Tulsa
In Northwest Arkansas' 6-4 win over Tulsa, Naturals catcher Mitch Canham set a single-game franchise record by hitting two triples, while notching three RBIs and scoring once. Also contributing in the Northwest Arkansas victory was centerfielder Brett Eibner, who went 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs. Leading 4-3 in the bottom of the seventh, Eibner poked a solo dinger to center field, his 19th of the season. Since the beginning of the second half, Eibner has clobbered 12 homers, tied for the third most in the league, while hitting .260/.354/.519. In the first half, Eibner hit just .220/.300/.384. The insurance run would prove to be the difference in the game when the Drillers scored their fourth run in the top of the ninth. On the mound for Northwest Arkansas, starter Aaron Brooks (7-6) earned his seventh win of the season after scattering 10 hits and allowing three runs over five and two-thirds innings. Brooks issued one walk and struck out five, before Spencer Patton struck out the last batter in the sixth. Patton struck out two in a scoreless seventh, then recorded his fourth K to begin the eighth. After Patton surrendered a one-out single, closer Zach Jackson promptly ended the inning when he induced a 4-6-3 double play ball. Jackson earned his 17th save of the season an inning later, when he allowed one run on three consecutive singles, before inducing a ground out and another double play ball.
Thursday, August 29: W, 2-0 vs. Tulsa
In a 2-0 win over Tulsa, a pair of Naturals players were central in both of Northwest Arkansas' scoring
opportunities. First baseman Matt Fields drove in both of the Naturals runs, with a run-scoring triple in the second and an RBI single in the seventh. Both times his hits drove in right fielder Lane Adams, who had singled in the second and walked in the seventh. The Naturals mustered just four hits in the game, however the clutch hits by Fields assured Northwest Arkansas the victory. On the mound, the Naturals used five pitchers to toss a combined shutout, allowing just five hits in the game. Starter Ryan Verdugo (1-0) earned his first Texas League victory after tossing five innings, allowing just four hits and no walks, while striking out five. Following Verdugo, Jon Keck recorded one strikeout in a one-two-three sixth, before Sam Runion gave up one hit in a scoreless seventh. Scott Alexander came on to pitch the eighth, issuing one walk in an otherwise clean inning before closer Zach Jackson was called on to wrap up the game. Jackson preserved the shutout, earning his 18th save of the season after issuing one walk and striking out one in the ninth.
Friday, August 30: L, 4-3 vs. Tulsa (12)
With a disappointing 4-3, 12-inning loss to Tulsa, Northwest Arkansas was eliminated from the hunt for the North Division second-half title. Trailing 3-0 after starter Andy Ferguson surrendered a three-run blast in the top of the second, the Naturals tied the game with two runs in the third and one more in the fifth. Ferguson settled down, finishing with a respectable line of six innings pitched, giving up three runs on seven hits and no walks, while striking out three. Following Ferguson, reliever Andrew Triggs struck out three and allowed two hits over two and two-thirds scoreless innings, before Spencer Patton finished the ninth and tossed a scoreless 10th. Jason Bergmann (L, 0-5) followed, retiring the side in order in the 11th before allowing the game-winner in the top of the 12th. Northwest Arkansas racked up 15 hits in the contest, including three apiece from second baseman Rey Navarro, who tripled and scored a run, Brett Eibner and Orlando Calixte. Every member of the Naturals lineup recorded at least one hit, including doubles by left fielder Whit Merrifield and right fielder Lane Adams.
Saturday, August 31: L, 3-2 @ Arkansas
In a 3-2 loss at Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas got both of their runs after getting solo homers from second baseman Rey Navarro and catcher Mitch Canham. Trailing 1-0 in the top of the fifth, Navarro cracked his 12th homer of the season, tying the game at one. The Naturals took a 2-1 lead in the top of the seventh, when Canham poked his second homer of the season for the Naturals. Left fielder Whit Merrifield also had a productive game, poling a triple and a single. The Nat’s held a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the ninth, but Santiago Garrido (L, 0-5) gave up the tying run, then exited the game with the bases loaded and no outs after tossing a clean eighth. Reliever Jon Keck recorded a strikeout, then uncorked a wild pitch that allowed the game-ending run to score. Starter Jason Adam did not factor in the decision after tossing seven strong innings. The right-hander allowed one run (unearned) on four hits and two walks, while striking out four.
Sunday, September 1: L, 2-0 @ Arkansas
In a 2-0 loss at Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas managed just three hits in support of starter Sugar Ray Marimon (6-14), who was tagged with the loss despite tossing seven strong innings. Marimon allowed both Arkansas runs on two hits and two walks, while striking out seven. Following Marimon, Sam Runion tossed one scoreless inning, logging one strikeout and allowing one hit. Offensively, the Naturals were paced by second baseman Orlando Calixte, who poked a single and drew two walks. Also collecting hits in the game were shortstop Rey Navarro, who singled, and third baseman Angel Franco, who knocked his 13th double of the season.
Monday, September 2: L, 5-0 @ Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas managed just four hits in their season-ending 5-0 loss at Arkansas. Centerfielder Brett Eibner had two of the Naturals hits, including a double, while second baseman Orlando Calixte and catcher Mitch Canham each poked a single. On the mound, starter Aaron Brooks (7-7) took the loss after tossing five innings, giving up all five of the Travelers’ runs on seven hits and one walk, while striking out four. Following Brooks, Malcom Culver made his Double-A debut, allowing two hits and striking out one in two scoreless innings of relief. Right-hander Jason Bergmann kept the Trav’s off the board in the final inning, giving up two hits and striking out one.
Springfield Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals Affiliate This Week: 0-8; Second Half Record: 31-39
Overall Record: 64-74 Second Half: 4th Place North Division
Monday, August 26: L, 8-4 @ Tulsa
Springfield fell 8-4 at Tulsa after allowing a 4-2 lead evaporate in the late innings. Trailing 1-0 in the top of the fourth, the Cardinals leapt to a 2-1 lead when centerfielder James Ramsey cracked a two-run double to left. After the Drillers tied the game in the bottom half of the fourth, Springfield reclaimed a one-run lead one frame later, when left fielder Starlin Rodriguez poked a run-scoring single to left. In the top of the sixth, Springfield crafted their largest lead of the contest when third baseman Ruben Gotay cracked a run-scoring double to center field that pushed the Card's advantage to 4-2. Unfortunately for Springfield, Tulsa scored six unanswered runs over the next three innings to ice the game. On the mound, Springfield starter Seth Blair did not factor in the decision after tossing six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks, while striking out two. Following Blair, Jose Almarante (L, 2-2) retired one hitter in the seventh after allowing two runs on three hits and one walk, before Dean Kiekhefer finished the inning, walking one and striking out one. In the eighth, Heath Wyatt gave up two runs on two hits and one walk, while striking out one.
Tuesday, August 27: L, 8-4 @ Arkansas
In an 8-4 loss at Arkansas, Springfield did all their scoring with a trio of homers, including back-to-back dingers in the top of the first by first baseman Xavier Scruggs and right fielder Stephen Piscotty. After third baseman Ruben Gotay drew a two-out walk in the initial frame, Scruggs hammered his 26th long ball of the season. Piscotty followed, pushing the Cardinals lead to 3-0 with his sixth homer since joining Springfield on June 22. After falling behind 7-3, Springfield got their final run in the top of the seventh, when second baseman Colin Walsh plugged a solo shot, his second dinger of the season. On the mound, starter Tim Cooney (7-9) took the loss after allowing seven runs on 11 hits and one walk over six innings, while striking out five. Following Cooney, Justin Wright gave up one run on three hits in the seventh, before Zach Russell struck out one in a perfect eighth.
Wednesday, August 28: L, 3-1 @ Arkansas
With a 3-1 loss at Arkansas, Springfield fell four games back in the North Division second-half title race with just five games to play. Trailing 1-0 in the top of the third, the Cardinals plated their lone run of the contest when first baseman Xavier Scruggs drew a bases-loaded, run-producing walk. The Springfield offense produced just six hits in the contest, all singles, two off the bat of third baseman Ruben Gotay. On the mound, starter Zach Petrick (3-3) took the loss after tossing five decent innings. The 24-year-old allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks, while striking out five. Following Petrick, Danny Miranda allowed one hit in a scoreless sixth. Reliever Heath Wyatt worked a clean seventh and retired two in the eighth, giving up just one hit and striking out a pair before Lee Stoppelman struck out the only batter he faced.
Thursday, August 29: L, 6-4 @ Arkansas
With a 6-4 loss at Arkansas, Springfield was eliminated from contention for the North Division second-half title. The Cardinals did all their scoring over the first three innings, ultimately faltering in the bottom of the fifth, when the Travelers used a four-run rally to take the lead. Springfield crafted a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, when right fielder Stephen Piscotty delivered a two-out, two-run double to left. In the top of the second, Springfield pushed their lead to 3-0 when third baseman Ruben Gotay poked a two-out, run-scoring single to shortstop. After Arkansas cut the Cardinals' lead to two in the bottom of the second, Springfield reclaimed a three-run advantage in the top of the third, when shortstop Luis Mateo poked a run-scoring single to right. Also contributing in the losing effort was Springfield catcher Beau Taylor, who went 2-for-5 with a double. On the mound, starter Anthony Ferrara (7-6) took the loss after allowing five runs on four hits and five walks over five innings, while striking out five. Following Ferrara, Justin Wright tossed two innings of relief, allowing one run on two hits before Dean Kiekhefer allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth.
Friday, August 30: L, 4-1 @ Arkansas
Three unearned runs were the difference in Springfield’s 4-1 loss at Arkansas. The Cardinals bullpen allowed two runs in the seventh and one in the eighth, all the result of errors by the Springfield defense. Starter Jonathan Cornelius did not factor in the decision after allowing one run on seven hits over five and one third innings, while striking out five. Reliever Zach Russell (0-1), who followed Cornelius, took the loss after surrendering two unearned runs on two walks, while striking out two over one and one third innings. Danny Miranda finished the game, giving up one more unearned run on three hits over the final one and one third innings. The Cardinals lone run came in the top of the fifth, when lead off man Adam Melker poked a run-producing groundout that tied the game at one. Springfield managed just three hits in the contest, the remaining pair coming from Xavier Scruggs and third baseman Jake Lemmerman.
Saturday, August 31: L, 7-6 vs. Tulsa
In a 7-6 loss to Tulsa, Springfield did all their scoring in a pair of three-run innings before surrendering two
unearned runs in the top of the ninth that cost them the game. Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the second, first baseman Xavier Scruggs hammered a lead off homer, his 27th of the season. Three consecutive singles later, second baseman Matt Williams lifted a sacrifice fly to center that tied the game at two. Starter Seth Blair followed with a sacrifice bunt that was misplayed, allowing Springfield to score their third run of the inning. After Tulsa tied the game in the top of the fourth, the Cardinals answered with another three-run rally, this time highlighted by Luis Mateo’s run-scoring double, and a two-run single by third baseman Ruben Gotay. On the mound, starter Seth Blair did not factor in the decision after tossing six innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on nine hits and four walks, while striking out three. Following Blair, Justin Wright gave up one hit and struck out one over two scoreless innings of relief, before Dean Kiekhefer (0-2) took the hard luck loss, allowing two runs (both unearned) on three hits in the ninth.
Sunday, September 1: L, 2-1 vs. Tulsa
In a 2-1 loss to Tulsa, Springfield starter Tim Cooney took the hard luck loss despite tossing eight marvelous innings. Cooney gave up two runs (just one earned) on seven hits without issuing a walk, while striking out eight. Reliever Heath Wyatt tossed a perfect ninth, striking out two. The Cardinals plated their lone run of the contest in the ninth, when right fielder Stephen Piscotty drove in Ruben Gotay with a one-out sacrifice fly to center. Springfield continued their rally when left fielder Adam Melker and center fielder Starlin Rodriguez drew consecutive walks, then executed a successful double steal. Unfortunately for the Card's, the threat ended when second baseman Matt Williams grounded out to end the game.
Monday, September 2: L, 8-4 vs. Tulsa
First baseman Xavier Scruggs wrapped up his season with a bang, hammering two homers in Springfield’s 8-4 loss to Tulsa. Scruggs’ first homer came in the bottom of the fourth, when he poked a solo dinger to right center. Following Scruggs’ homer, right fielder Stephen Piscotty and left fielder Adam Melker cracked back-to-back doubles, giving the Cards a 2-1 lead. In the eighth, Scruggs added his 29th homer of the season, a two-run shot that accounted for Springfield’s final runs of the season. On the mound, starter Zach Petrick did not factor in the decision after tossing five innings, having allowed two runs on four hits and no walks, while striking out three. Following Petrick, Zach Russell (0-2) took the loss after giving up five runs on six hits in the sixth. In the seventh, Justin Wright gave up one more run on two hits and a walk, before Corey Baker and Dean Kiekhefer wrapped up the game, tossing one scoreless inning apiece.
Tulsa Drillers
Colorado Rockies Affiliate
This Week: 5-3; Second Half Record: 34-36 Overall Record: 68-70
Second Half: T-2nd Place North Division
Monday, August 26: W, 8-4 vs. Springfield
Tulsa earned an 8-4 comeback win over Springfield in their final home game of the regular season after plating six unanswered runs over their final three turns at the plate. Trailing 4-2 in the bottom of the sixth, third baseman Tim Smalling cracked a lead off double, advanced to third on shortstop Joey Wong's groundout to first, then scored on a run-producing groundout by left fielder Juan Crousset. In the bottom of the seventh, the Drillers took a 6-4 lead with a three-run rally that was highlighted by Smalling's two-run double to right. Tulsa scored twice more in the bottom of the eighth, when right fielder Tyler Kuhn delivered a two-out, two-run triple to right. The Drillers offense, which racked up 12 hits in the contest, was paced by Tim Smalling, who went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs. Also contributing to the Tulsa attack were first baseman Kyle Parker, who notched three singles, and shortstop Joey Wong, who plugged his second homer of the season, a solo shot in the fourth inning. On the mound, starter Tyler Matzek did not factor in the decision. During his five frames he allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks, while striking out three. Following Matzek, Leuris Gomez (4-1) earned his fourth win of the season after giving up one run on one hit and two walks in two innings of relief. Reliever Michael Solbach struck out one in a perfect eighth, before Juan Gonzalez allowed one hit and recorded two punchouts in a scoreless ninth.
Tuesday, August 27: L, 5-1 @ Northwest Arkansas
In a 5-1 loss at Northwest Arkansas, Tulsa shortstop Cristhian Adames extended his hitting streak to a team-high 12 games with pair of singles. Over the 12-game stretch, Adames is hitting .333/.382/.431, with one homer, seven RBIs and 12 runs scored. After Northwest Arkansas took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second, the Drillers knotted the game in the top of the third, when first baseman Kyle Parker ripped a run-scoring double to right. Unfortunately for the Drillers, Northwest Arkansas broke the one-all tie with four runs in the bottom of the eighth. On the mound for Tulsa, starter Eddie Butler did not factor in the decision after tossing four and two-thirds innings, allowing one run on four hits and three walks, while striking out four. The single earned run was just the second run allowed by Butler in his first five outings with Tulsa, allowing 11 hits and five walks over 24.2 innings, while striking out 22.
Following Butler, Mike Marbry finished the fifth and tossed a scoreless sixth, giving up one hit and two walks, while striking out two over his one and one third innings. Right-hander Joe Gardner worked a clean seventh, then was touched for four runs (three earned) on one hit and three walks in the eighth. Gardner retired just one hitter before Kenny Roberts finished the frame.
Wednesday, August 28: L, 6-4 @ Northwest Arkansas
With a 6-4 loss at Northwest Arkansas, Tulsa was eliminated from the North Division second-half title race, however the Drillers are still playoff bound, having won the North Division title in the first-half. In the loss, Tulsa out-hit the Naturals 15 to nine, but struggled with runners in scoring position, going just 1-for-8 and stranding 10 men on base. Every member of the starting lineup recorded at least one hit for Tulsa, whose offense was paced by designated hitter Kiel Roling and third baseman Jayson Langfels. Trailing 4-0 in the top of the fourth, Roling led off with his 24th homer of the season, a towering shot to left. The Drillers scored another run later in the inning when Langfels lifted a sacrifice fly to right, plating right fielder Tyler Kuhn. Langfels struck again in the sixth, when he belted his 13th homer of the season, a two-out, solo dinger to left. Also contributing in the losing effort was first baseman Kyle Parker, who notched three singles and drove in one run. On the mound, starter Tim Gustafson (6-12) took the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits and four walks, while striking out two over six and two-thirds innings. Following Gustafson, Michael Solbach tossed the final one and one third innings, allowing one run on two hits and two walks, while striking out three.
Thursday, August 29: L, 2-0 @ Northwest Arkansas
In a 2-0 loss at Northwest Arkansas, Tulsa out-hit the Naturals for the third straight game, each time to no avail. The Drillers recorded five hits, including a second-inning triple by shortstop Joey Wong. Also contributing to Tulsa's limited offense was third baseman Jayson Langfels, who was the only Drillers player to reach base twice, first via single in the fifth, then via a base on balls in the eighth. Langfels added a stolen base, his 13th of the season. On the mound, starter Daniel Winkler (1-2) took the loss despite tossing six strong innings. The 23-year-old allowed just one run on two hits and two walks, while striking out six. In five starts at the Double-A level, Winkler has allowed nine earned runs on 23 hits and 10 walks over 26.2 innings, while racking up 23 strikeouts. Following Winkler, Leuris Gomez allowed one run on two hits and a walk in the seventh, before Cole White issued one walk in a scoreless eighth.
Friday, August 30: W, 4-3 @ Northwest Arkansas (12)
Second baseman Angelys Nina’s sacrifice fly in the top of the 12th secured Tulsa’s 4-3 win at Northwest Arkansas. After Northwest Arkansas tied the game at three in the bottom of the fifth, the two squads matched zeroes until the top of the 12th, when Nina came to the plate with the bases loaded and one out. The right-handed hitter lifted a fly ball to left that was deep enough for right fielder Tyler Kuhn to tag up at third and score the winning run. The Drillers took a 3-0 lead in the top of the second, when catcher Tom Murphy plugged a three-run dinger to right center, his third since joining Tulsa on August 6. After 18 games at the Double-A level, the 22-year-old backstop is hitting .274/.328/.452, with three homers and nine RBIs. Also contributing in the exciting victory were shortstop Cristhian Adames, first baseman Dallas Tarleton and right fielder Juan Crousset, each of whom poked a double in the contest. On the mound, starter Christian Bergman did not factor in the decision after tossing five innings of three-run, eight-hit ball. The right-hander struck out two without issuing a walk, before Mike Marbry struck out two and gave up two hits over two scoreless frames. Reliever Juan Gonzalez followed with three shutout innings of relief, striking out two before Joe Gardner (5-4) earned the win after pitching a clean 11th. Closer Cole White wrapped up the game, earning his 18th save of the season after surviving close call in the 12th, when he induced a game-ending, 5-2-3 double play with the bases loaded.
Saturday, August 31: W, 7-6 @ Springfield
In a 7-6 win at Springfield, Tulsa plated two, two-out, runs in the top of the ninth to snatch the victory away from the Cardinals. Trailing 6-5 in the final frame, the Drillers used two-out singles by left fielder Kyle Parker and first baseman Dustin Garneau to put the tying and winning runs on base. Right fielder Tyler Kuhn’s grounder to first was misplayed, allowing Parker to score the tying run before second baseman Angelys Nina drove in the game-winning run with a single to center. Tulsa’s offense erupted for 13 hits in the contest, led by Garneau, who had a homer, two RBIs and three runs scored. The homer was Garneau’s 13th of the season. Joining Garneau at the front of the pack in the game were centerfielder Delta Cleary Jr., who had three singles, and Kuhn, who cracked two triples in the game. On the mound, starter Tyler Matzek did not factor in the decision after tossing five innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits and two walks, while striking out three. Following Matzek, Kenny Roberts tossed two scoreless
innings of relief, giving up two hits and recording one strikeout before Michael Solbach (3-1) earned the win. Solbach shutout Springfield over the final two innings, allowing one hit and striking out one.
Sunday, September 1: W, 2-1 @ Springfield
In a 2-1 win at Springfield, Tulsa used a two-run, eighth-inning rally to top the Cardinals. Right fielder Tyler Kuhn led off the eighth with a double, then scored on third baseman Tim Smalling’s run-scoring single to center field. Smalling advanced to second on a fielding error by Springfield center fielder Starlin Rodriguez before scoring on center fielder Delta Cleary Jr.’s RBI single to shallow right. On the mound, starter Eddie Butler did not factor in the decision after tossing three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and one walk, while striking out three.
Following Butler, reliever Leuris Gomez (5-1) earned his fifth win of the season after three scoreless innings of relief, during which he gave up two hits and struck out three. Right-hander Joe Gardner followed with two shutout frames, allowing one hit and striking out another three before Cole White earned his 19th save of the season, giving up one run on one walk in the ninth.
Monday, September 2: W, 8-4 @ Springfield
With their 8-4 win at Springfield, Tulsa finished the regular season on a four-game winning streak. The Drillers racked up 14 hits in the contest, with every member of the starting lineup notching at least one. Tulsa was paced by third baseman Jayson Langfels, who poked a solo homer in the fifth inning, his 14th dinger of the season. Also contributing was first baseman Kyle Parker, who had a double and a single with one RBI, and left fielder Tim Smalling, who poked two singles. Centerfielder Delta Cleary Jr. added a triple, while catcher Dustin Garneau, right fielder Tyler Kuhn and pinch-hitter Jaron Shepherd each cracked a double. On the mound, starter Tim Gustafson (7-12) earned the win after tossing seven innings of two-run ball. Gustafson gave up six hits and two walks, while striking out four before Mike Marbry wrapped up the game, allowing two runs on four hits over the final two frames.
South Division Notes
8/26-9/2
Corpus Christi Hooks
Houston Astros Affiliate
This Week: 4-4; Second Half Record: 41-29 Overall Record: 83-57
Second Half: 1st Place South Division
Monday, August 26: W, 5-0 @ San Antonio
Leading Corpus Christi to a 5-0 win at San Antonio, starter Luis Cruz racked up 14 strikeouts as he cruised to a two-hit, complete game shutout. In just his second start at the Double-A level, Cruz (2-0) earned the win after allowing just two singles and one walk in the first nine-inning complete game of his career. The left-hander retired the first 10 batters he faced, five via strikeout, before surrendering back-to-back, singles with one down in the fourth inning. After inducing a fly out and a ground out to get out of the jam, Cruz walked a batter in the fifth, then retired the last 13 batters he faced, striking out the side in the sixth and seventh innings. The 14 strikeouts, a career-high for Cruz, tied the Hooks single-game record set by Xavier Cedeno on June 27, 2011. Offensively, Corpus Christi was led by left fielder Leonardo Heras, whose 3-for-5 performance included a three-run homer, a double, four RBIs and two
runs scored. The homer was Heras' first in the Texas League, however the left-handed slugger recorded 11 in 335 at-bats this season in the Mexican League. Through four games with Corpus Christi, Heras is 7-for-17, with five RBIs. Also contributing in the win were first baseman Erik Castro, who cracked two doubles, and designated hitter Matt Duffy, who poked two singles and scored twice. With the win, Corpus Christi moved into a tie with San Antonio for first place in the South Division second-half standings.
Tuesday, August 27: L, 5-1 @ Frisco
In a 5-1 loss at Frisco, Corpus Christi started strong against Major League rehabber Nick Teppesch, scoring a run in the top of the first when shortstop Ronny Torreyes poked a one-out single to center, then scored on first baseman Erik Castro's two-out, RBI double to left. After the first inning, the Hooks' bats fell silent, their lone remaining hit coming on a single by Torreyes in the second inning. On the mound, starter David Rollins (0-2) took the loss despite a quality start in which he allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and one walk over six innings, while striking out five. Following Rollins, Cameron Lamb tossed a perfect seventh, before Theron Geith gave up two runs on three hits in the eighth. With the loss, Corpus Christi fell one game behind South Division second-half leading San Antonio with six games to play.
Wednesday, August 28: L, 10-6 @ Frisco
Corpus Christi fell 10-6 at Frisco after erupting for all six of their runs in the first three innings. The Hooks opened the scoring in the top of the first when second baseman Enrique Hernandez clubbed a two-run homer to left center, his 13th dinger of the season. First baseman Erik Castro followed with his 18th home run of the season, pushing the Hooks advantage to 3-0 before the RoughRiders had come to the plate. Frisco answered with two runs in the bottom of the first, but Corpus Christi pushed their edge to 4-2 in the top of the second, when centerfielder Drew Muren cracked a ground-rule double, advanced to third on catcher Ryan McCurdy's sac-bunt, then scored on shortstop Ronny Torreyes' RBI single to center. After the RoughRiders took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the second, right fielder Domingo Santana propelled the Hooks to a 6-5 lead with his 23rd homer of the season, a two-run blast over the center field wall. Unfortunately for the Hooks, who managed just two more hits after Santana's dinger, the RoughRiders tied the game in the eighth before a walk-off grand slam ended the game in the bottom of the ninth. On the mound for Corpus Christi, starter Kyle Hallock allowed five runs on four hits and two walks, facing three hitters in the second inning without recording an out before Carlos Quevedo came on in relief. Quevedo was the lone bright spot for the Hooks pitching staff, striking out four over five shutout innings, while giving up no hits and just three walks. Reliever Matt Heidenreich (L, 4-5) tossed a scoreless seventh, but allowed the tying run in the eighth and the game-ending grand slam in the ninth.
Thursday, August 29: W, 6-2 @ Frisco
With a 6-2 win at Frisco, Corpus Christi moved into a tie with San Antonio atop the South Division second-half standings with just four games left in the half, the final three versus the Missions at Whataburger Field. The Hooks offense overpowered the RoughRiders in the game, as Corpus Christi racked up 13 hits to Frisco's four. The 13-hit uprising was paced by third baseman Jonathan Meyer, who poked a double and three singles, and designated hitter Ronald Torreyes, who went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Joining Meyer and Torreyes in the doubles column were second baseman Enrique Hernandez and left fielder Michael Burgess. Also contributing in the winning effort was shortstop Jiovanni Mier, who poked a two-run single in the fifth inning and scored a run. On the mound, starter Ruben Alaniz (8-9) earned the win after allowing just two runs on four hits and three walks over six innings, while striking out three. Following Alaniz, Andrew Robinson tossed two perfect innings of relief, before Jonas Dufek issued one walk and recorded one strikeout in a scoreless ninth.
Friday, August 30: L, 3-1 @ Frisco
In a 3-1 loss at Frisco, Corpus Christi did not score their lone run until the top of the ninth, when a last-second rally came up short. Trailing 3-0, first baseman Erik Castro notched a lead off single before right fielder Domingo Santana drew a walk, bringing the tying run to the plate. After a groundout and a walk loaded the bases with one out, designated hitter Matt Duffy drew a run-producing base on balls before pinch-hitter Drew Muren struck out and Ronald Torreyes grounded out to end the game. On the mound, starter Nick Tropeano (7-10) took the loss after tossing five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks, while striking out six. Interestingly, the RoughRiders’ first two runs of the contest came in the bottom of the third, when Tropeano recorded four strikeouts, allowing a run on a wild pitch third strike. Following Tropeano, starter Michael Foltynewicz made a rare relief appearance, retiring the side in order in the sixth. Left-hander Luis Cruz, also a starter, struck out two and walked one, allowing one hit in the seventh before Cameron Lamb tossed a perfect eighth.
Saturday, August 31: W, 10-9 vs. San Antonio
After Ronald Torreyes’ three-run triple tied the game in the bottom of the ninth, Preston Tucker delivered a game-winning single that capped a four-run ninth that gave Corpus Christi an unbelievable 10-9 win over San Antonio. Trailing 9-5 in the bottom of the eighth, first baseman Erik Castro’s sacrifice fly cut the Missions lead to three. In the ninth, centerfielder Drew Muren hit a one-out double before Domingo Santana and Leonardo Heras drew two-out walks, loading the bases for Torreyes’ heroic triple. Tucker immediately followed with the game-winning hit. Corpus Christi tallied 18 hits in the game, including six multi-hit performances. Leading the way were Torreyes, who went 4-for-6 with a triple, a double and three runs scored, and Tucker, who notched four singles. Designated hitter Matt Duffy added three hits, including a double, while Muren poked a double and a single. Castro racked up three RBIs as part of a 2-for-3 performance that included a double, while shortstop Jiovanni Mier also logged two singles. On the mound, starter Matt Heidenreich tossed three innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk, while striking out one before Kyle Hallock was touched for five runs on five hits and two walks over three and one third innings. Cameron Lamb finished the seventh, giving up one hit in the process before Andrew Robinson surrendered one run on one hit in the eighth. Jonas Dufek (7-0) earned his seventh win of the season after striking out one in a scoreless ninth.
Sunday, September 1: L, 13-9 vs. San Antonio
Despite clubbing three homers, Corpus Christi fell to San Antonio 13-9 in the second of their final three regular season games at Whataburger Field. Catcher Luis Alvarez, who joined the Hooks on August 24, was the first to crack a dinger, his first at the Double-A level and seventh over four levels this season. Trailing 13-3 in the bottom of the sixth, pinch-hitter Michael Burgess was the next to belt a homer, a two-run shot that was his 12th of the season. Finally, left fielder Preston Tucker clubbed a solo homer in the eighth, his 10th since joining Corpus Christi on June 26. Tucker added a double, while Domingo Santana and shortstop Ronald Torreyes each contributed a double and a single. On the mound, starter David Rollins (0-3) took the loss after allowing eight runs on 10 hits and three walks, while striking out four over four and one third innings. Following Rollins, Theron Geith pitched through the seventh, giving up five more runs on five hits. Reliever Cameron Lamb tossed a perfect eighth and Carlos Quevedo followed with a one-two-three ninth.
Monday, September 2: W, 7-6 vs. San Antonio
Right fielder Domingo Santana cracked a pair of homers in Corpus Christi’s 7-6 win over San Antonio in their final game of the regular season, clinching the second half crown for the Hooks and ensuring they would have the home field advantage in the division series. Santana paced a Hooks offense that had nine hits in the contest with a 3-for-4 performance that included his 24th and 25th homers of the season. Also contributing in the winning effort were shortstop Ronald Torreyes, who had two singles, and centerfielder Drew Muren, who doubled and scored once. On the mound, starter Ruben Alaniz (9-9) earned is ninth win of the season after tossing five and one third innings, allowing four runs (just one earned) on seven hits and one walk, while striking out three. Following Alaniz, Alex Sogard struck out two and allowed one unearned run over two and two-thirds innings before Jonas Dufek earned his fourth save of the season after allowing an unearned run in the ninth. The two teams will square off on Thursday evening at Whataburger Field in the first game of the South Division championship.
