Texas League Newsletter

Texas League
Newsletter
Vol. XX, No. 2
April 9-15, 2012
Tulsa slugger Nolan Arenado may be the best prospect in the Texas League
Fifth-youngest player in TL
Written by Kary Booher/Springfield News-Leader - 4/14/12
TULSA, OKLA. — In the same clubhouse where Kangaroo Court became an all-out comedy hour last
summer, somebody is going to have to put their foot down sooner rather than later and set things straight
with their fast-rising prospect.
Slugging third baseman Nolan Arenado, who doesn’t turn 21 until Monday but is projected to be whisked
straight from the Double-A Texas League to the Colorado Rockies this season, already is showing ‘em
up.
That is, as the new funnyman of the Tulsa Drillers.
“On the way back,” Arenado said Friday of a recent bus trip, breaking into a grin, “we were prank-calling
some people and doing some jokes on some guys -- guys we knew in Modesto.”
Modesto being the Rockies’ high Class A California League affiliate.
“We were (acting) like news reporters or something and they got all excited. It was pretty funny some of
the people we got,” Arenado said, and then confessed this: “I’m not sure if you’re allowed to write this
down, but we’d say we’re from Baseball America.”
Hopefully for his sake, that doesn’t get back to veteran minor leaguers Mike Mitchell and Tim Torres,
teammates acknowledged they already are plotting something on Arenado for Kangaroo Court, set for
today.
“It should be interesting,” Mitchell said, with a twinkle in his eye.
Then again, the same could be said of Arenado and the 2012 Texas League season, which once again is
full of prospects and intriguing storylines: 56 players on opening day rosters were ranked within the Top
30 prospects of their respective organizations, as rated by trade publication Baseball America.
No storyline, however, may be more compelling than Arenado, whom St. Louis Cardinals fans should
follow if for no other reason than that he represents an improving Rockies farm system, one that could
repackage Colorado again as a National League contender.
For full article, go to:
http://www.news-leader.com/article/20120415/SPORTS/304150038/nolan-arenado-texas-league-prospectrockies-springfield-cardinals?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p
Rangers prospects at Frisco have left side of infield locked down
By Drew Davison/Star-Telegram - Posted 4/14/12
Mike Olt saw it at Short A Spokane in 2010.
Olt, the top power-hitting prospect in the Texas Rangers' farm system, couldn't believe the plays shortstop
Jurickson Profar would make.
"It's like, 'How the heck did he just do that?'" said Olt, who had a premium view from third base.
Olt missed witnessing those plays last season when the Rangers sent him to High A Myrtle Beach and
Profar, the organization's top prospect, went to Low A Hickory.
But the talented duo is sharing the left side of the infield once again at Double A Frisco, and there might
not be a better tandem in all of the minor leagues. As far as being next to Profar again, Olt said not much
has changed.
"It's still, 'How the heck did he just do that?'" said Olt, a plus-defender himself. "He's definitely one of the
best shortstops in the minor leagues. He's young, but he doesn't play that young."
At 19, Profar doesn't show much inexperience. He bats in the leadoff spot and has shown plate discipline
and a veteran-like understanding of the different situations that come up throughout the game.
His approach is one of the reasons the Rangers didn't hesitate having Profar skip High A. Last year with
Hickory, he hit .286 with 12 home runs and 65 RBIs in 462 at-bats (115 games). More impressively, he
had a .390 on-base percentage.
Profar has gotten off to a slow start at Frisco but has shown signs of turning it around. He belted his first
home run on April 8, and he drew walks on Thursday and Friday.
"We felt like Jurickson could make the jump, and he's taking a little bit to adjust," said Jake Krug, the
Rangers' director of minor league operations. "But we feel he's talented enough to make the necessary
adjustments, and he has a good approach at the plate. We feel good about where he is."
For Profar, the biggest adjustment has been adapting to the more advanced pitchers. At Double A,
pitchers are more willing to throw any pitch in any count.
"Double A is real baseball, and it's kind of like the major leagues for me," Profar said. "You have to make
adjustments all the time, unlike in Low A."
Added Olt: "I can't pinpoint what the biggest challenge is, but the pitchers do a better job of mixing it up.
That's the next step of the game for us is to mentally understand what pitchers are trying to do."
For full article, go to:
http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/04/14/3884092/rangers-prospects-at-frisco-have.html
Diminutive Crumbliss plays big for RockHounds
BY ADAM ZUVANICH/OA Online - 4/14/12
MIDLAND Baseball is a numbers game, and the numbers don’t lie.
Conner Crumbliss, at 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds, is the smallest Midland RockHound and among the
smallest players in the Oakland Athletics organization. But he insists he’s not the smallest player
employed by the A’s.
“I know there was at least two or three people at spring training that were smaller,” Crumbliss said with a
grin. “But I’m sure I’m one of the smaller people out there. That doesn’t bother me. I don’t care.”
Neither do the RockHounds, because the numbers on the stat sheet don’t lie, either.
Crumbliss, a 24-year-old second baseman and outfielder who bats left-handed, has been one of the best
offensive players in the Texas League during his first eight games at the Double-A level. He leads the
RockHounds in home runs (2) and stolen bases (4); is tied for first in runs scored (6) and doubles (2); and
ranks second in OPS (1.015) and slugging percentage (.556). He’s also drawn nine walks while striking
out only four times.
RockHounds hitting coach Tim Garland said the team couldn’t ask anything more of its sweet-swinging
leadoff man.
“The guy’s phenomenal. Don’t let his small frame fool you,” Garland said. “He’s very fiery, he comes
ready to play every day, he’s very aggressive, very passionate about how he plays the game. He’s just a
gamer. He’s a great spark for us.”
Crumbliss, a Kansas native who was a 30th-round draft pick out of Division II Emporia State University
in 2009, has been a prototypical leadoff hitter throughout his professional career. He entered this season
with a career on-base percentage of .416, and he had racked up 282 walks and 61 stolen bases in 325
games at three different Single-A levels.
During his 2010 season with the Class A Kane County (Ill.) Cougars of the Midwest League, Crumbliss
led all Oakland minor leaguers with 126 walks and a .421 on-base percentage. He ranked fourth in the
organization with 95 runs scored and 24 steals.
Crumbliss is continuing those trends this year while adding some pop at the plate. He already has two
homers this year after never hitting more than seven in a season.
RockHounds first baseman Anthony Aliotti, who is Crumbliss’ teammate for the fourth year in a row,
said Crumbliss looks more aggressive in the batter’s box this year.
For full article, go to:
http://www.oaoa.com/sports/numbers-85802-baseball-crumbliss.html
Myers On Schedule
OUTFIELDER EYES ULTIMATE GOAL, BUT STAYS FOCUSED
By Matt L. Stephens/NWA Online 4/12/12
SPRINGDALE — Wil Myers’ leg bounced rapidly like a student about to take the biggest test of his life.
Arms on the table, hands together, his fingers fidgeted.
At the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Media Day last week, Myers was brought to the front of the room,
displayed as a prized possession for the Kansas City Royals Double-A affiliate.
Showing signs of being anxious and excited — maybe even a little nervous — he understood what value
the Royals have in him, offering a $2 million signing bonus when he was drafted out of high school in
2009 from High Point, N.C.
Emotionally blitzed in his third full professional season, what Myers wasn’t feeling is pressure.
Ranked as the third-best prospect in the Royals organization and playing for an affiliate that has sent Eric
Hosmer, Mike Moustakas and Salvador Perez to the Major Leagues in the last two seasons, Myers knows
whatever track his career might be on will pan out in time. He can’t rush it.
“I really took my offseason serious. I put on 12 pounds of muscle and really felt good coming into spring
training,” Myers said. “There’s not too much pressure. I just go out and play my game everyday and get
better. I don’t feel like there’s a lot of pressure for me; it’s the same game I’ve always played.”
Once a player reaches the Double-A level, expectations are for prospects to have all of the fundamentals.
Now it’s time for the consistency to kick in.
Myers said his biggest focus this season is to do just that, be consistent both at the plate and on defense,
where he made the switch from catcher to right field at the start of 2011.
His transitional season last year, his first with Northwest Arkansas (2-4), had its share of items to forget.
He hit for a career-low .254, struck out 87 times in 99 games and led Naturals outfielders with seven
errors.
Aware of his inconsistency, Myers has shown signs of an upswing since last September.
In the Arizona Fall League, he was named to the All-Prospect Team by hitting .360 with four home runs.
He was invited to the Royals’ Major League Spring Training Camp in Surprise, Ariz., where he got a
jump on his fielding. He learned to make better reads and angles on fly balls.
For full article, go to:
http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2012/apr/12/myers-schedule/?sports
New Driller Kent Matthes to swing away
BY BARRY LEWIS/Tulsa World 4/12/12
Last year, Tim Wheeler's 33 homers broke the Tulsa Drillers' single-season home run record of 32 that
was set by Kevin Buckley in 1983 and matched by Bubba Smith in 1996.
Wheeler's record may not last as long. With Wheeler at Triple-A Colorado Springs, a potential threat to
that record is right fielder Kent Matthes, who was the California League most valuable player in 2011.
Matthes belted 23 homers and had 95 RBIs in 93 games for Single-A Modesto before missing the last
month of the season after suffering a broken hand when he was hit by a pitch. A year earlier, Wheeler had
only 12 homers at Modesto.
"It's a very difficult place to be a home run hitter," Drillers manager Duane Espy said about Modesto,
where he was the hitting coach for three years. "He (Matthes) has the type of power that it doesn't really
matter where he's playing. When he hits it good, it's going out of the ballpark."
Matthes, who hit his first Drillers homer on Monday, will play in his first game at ONEOK Field when
Tulsa, after a 4-2 trip, has its home opener against the defending Texas League champion San Antonio
Missions at 7:05 p.m. Thursday.
"We're real lucky to have such a nice facility; this is a great ballpark," Matthes said about ONEOK Field.
"Both parks, Modesto and here, are big ballparks. I'm not going to change my approach, I'm just going to
try and hit line drives."
Matthes, 25, had a breakout year in 2011 after missing most of the previous season. He played in only 21
games at low Single-A Asheville in 2010 before undergoing surgery for a torn patellar knee tendon.
"I'm trying to carry over what I did last year," said Matthes, a right-handed hitter who was a fourth-round
draft choice from the University of Alabama in 2009. "I feel like I had a lot of momentum last year until I
broke my hand and I'm just going to try to not have anything else happen this year."
For full article, go to:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/article.aspx?subjectid=408&articleid=20120412_225_B1_CUTLI
N574581
Players of the Week, April 5-15
CF Brandon Barnes, Corpus Christi Hooks
.432 AVG (16-for-37), 10 runs, 9 RBI, 1 HR, 8 2Bs, 9 Extra base hits, .462 OBP, .730 slugging percentage
Brandon Barnes earned his selection as Co-Player of the Week with a remarkably consistent start through
the season's first 10 games. The center fielder led the league in both batting average (.432) and doubles
(eight) while also tying for the lead in hits (16) and runs (10). Barnes scored runs in each of his first eight
games of the young season.
Barnes was especially hot in the Hooks recent series at Northwest Arkansas, where he went 7-for-13 with
five runs, five RBI and five doubles, as the Hooks took two-of-three from the Naturals.
Selected by Houston in the sixth round of the 2005 draft out of Cypress (Calif.) JC, Barnes has spent his
entire professional career in the Astros organization. In 2010, Barnes hit .269 with 27 home runs and 80
runs driven in for Lancaster (CAL). Last season he played in 54 games for the Hooks, hitting .286 with
13 doubles and 25 runs scored.
LF Jake Goebbert, Corpus Christi Hooks
.429 AVG (12-for-28), 10 runs, 10 RBI, 2 HR, 3 2Bs, 6 Extra base hits, .500 OBP, .821 slugging percentage
Jake Goebbert earned Co-Player of the Week honors, sharing the award with teammate Brandon Barnes.
Goebbert finished the first 10 games of the season leading the league in both slugging (.821) and OPS
(1.321) while sharing the lead in runs (10). Like Barnes, Goebbert heated up in the series at Northwest
Arkansas (April 12-14), going 7-for-14 with six runs and 6 RBI.
However, Goebbert's signature moment of the young season occured in the April 9th game vs. Tulsa,
when his three-run walk-off homer capped a thrilling Hooks comeback victory. Already three times this
season has the left fielder driven in more than one run in a game.
A 13th round selection by Houston in 2009 out of Northwestern, Goebbert is in his fourth season in the
Astros organization. In 2010 while in Lexington (HiA), Goebbert batted .291 with 10 homers and 98
RBI. Last season saw Goebbert make stops in Lancaster (26 games), Corpus Christi (75 games) and
Oklahoma City (31 games), combining to hit 12 homers and knock in 67 runs.
Pitcher of the Week, April 5-15
RHP A.J. Griffin, Midland RockHounds
0-0(W-L), 0.00 ERA, 11 innings pitched, 2 hits, 16 strikeouts, 2 walks, opponents AVG- .059
A.J. Griffin earned Pitcher of the Week honors after two near-identical dominating starts to open the
season. In both starts, Griffin struck out eight while walking one. In his second start, Griffin left the
game after six innings of no-hit ball.
Unfortunately in both starts, Griffin did not factor into the decision. Griffin led the league in strikeouts
(16) and tied for the lead in ERA (0.00).
Griffin was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 13th round of the 2010 draft out of the University of
San Diego. Griffin is listed as the #13 prospect in the organization by Baseball America.
Last season, his first year as a starter, Griffin made starts on four different levels within the Oakland
organization, finishing the season 11-7 with 156 strikeouts in 161 innings pitched. In his lone start for
Triple-A Sacramento, Griffin gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits, while striking out eight in six
innings pitched.
North Division Notes
4/9-4/15
Arkansas Travelers
Los Angeles Angels Affiliate
This Week: 2-4; Overall Record: 3-7
4th Place North Division
Monday, April 9: W, 4-2 vs. Frisco
A three-run first inning proved to be all Arkansas would need in a 4-2 win over Frisco Monday night in North Little
Rock. Trailing 1-0 and with two outs in the inning, the Travelers rally began with a walk and a hit batsman. Roberto
Lopez, Renny Osuna and Rian Kiniry followed with consecutive singles that gave the Travelers a 3-1 lead. Clinging
to a 3-2 lead in the seventh, second baseman Darwin Perez led off the inning with his first homer of the season
providing the final margin. Starter Greg Smith (1-0) earned the win in his season debut after tossing five innings of
six-hit, two-run (one earned) ball while fanning four. Matt Oye struck out the side in the ninth to earn his first save
of the young season.
Tuesday, April 10: L, 8-1 vs. Frisco
Despite matching a season-high with 12 strikeouts, the Arkansas pitching staff was unable to slow down the Frisco
offense, dropping the rubber game of their three-game series 8-1. Starter AJ Schugel (0-1) took the loss after giving
up four runs on five hits in his five innings of work. The Travelers scored their only run of the game in the seventh,
when Renny Osuna's triple was followed by an RBI groundout by Rian Kiniry. Outfielders Matt Long and Roberto
Lopez led the team with two hits each.
Wednesday, April 11: OFF DAY
Thursday, April 12: L, 8-4 @ Midland
Arkansas failed to generate much offense in a 8-4 loss at Midland in the RockHounds 2012 home debut. Third
baseman Adam Heether's second homer of the season in the fourth put the Travelers ahead 2-1, but they never led
again, collecting a mere five hits in the contest. Starter John Hellweg kept the Travelers in the game despite his five
walks, tossing five innings of two-run, two-hit ball. Caleb Graham (0-1) took the loss after serving up a grand slam
to Midland right field Jeremy Barfield in the sixth.
Friday, April 13: W, 4-2 @ Midland
Arkansas rode the arm of Ariel Pena to a 4-2 win over Midland Friday night, snapping a two game losing streak.
Making his second start of the season, Pena (1-0) dominated RockHound batters striking out seven, while allowing
just two runs on three hits in six and two-thirds innings. The Travelers never trailed in the game, opening the
scoring in the second on a Roberto Lopez RBI groundout, followed by a Casey Haerther sacrifice fly that gave
Arkansas a 2-0 lead. In the sixth, the Travelers plated two more with RBI singles by Darwin Perez and Adam
Heether. Closer Matt Oye struck out two in the ninth to record his second save of the season.
Saturday, April 14: L, 3-2 @ Midland
In the final game of their three-game series set in Midland, the Travelers offense managed only three hits in a
narrow 3-2 loss to the RockHounds in Midland. Falling behind 3-0 early, the Travelers scored a run in the third
inning on a Matt Long sacrifice fly to right. Designated hitter Ryan Mount, who had two of the team’s three hits,
led off the fifth with a double, later scoring the Travelers' final run on a groundout that cut the deficit to one. Starter
Orangel Arenas (0-1) took the loss after allowing three runs on seven hits in five innings.
Sunday, April 15: L, 4-3 @ Frisco
The Travelers failed to hold an early three-run lead resulting in a disappointing 4-3 defeat to the RoughRiders in
their series opening game in Frisco. Travelers center fielder Matt Long led off the game with an infield single,
scoring when Darwin Perez followed with a doubled to center. Arkansas added a run in the third on Long's solo
bomb to center and another run the following inning before the offense stalled. Starter Greg Smith pitched six
strong innings, allowing just one run on five hits, but the Travelers bullpen would unravel in the eighth. Daniel
Tillman (0-3) received the loss after giving up three runs on one hit in only a third of an inning.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Kansas City Royals Affiliate
This Week: 1-4; Overall Record: 3-6
3rd Place North Division
Monday, April 9: L, 4-3 @ San Antonio
Northwest Arkansas reliever Michael Mariot's first pitch of the ninth inning left the park resulting in a 4-3 loss
Monday night in San Antonio. Mariot (0-1) entered the game in the eighth and recorded the final two outs of the
inning, before surrendering the walk-off homer to San Antonio catcher Jason Hagerty. The Naturals, who had 12
hits in the contest, had a chance for a big inning in the second when they loaded the bases with no outs, however
they only managed to score twice taking a 2-0 lead. Shortstop Christian Colon's RBI single in the fourth pushed the
Naturals lead to 3-0, but the bullpen could not preserve the win for starter Tim Melville, who was terrific in his five
innings of work, fanning six while allowing only three hits. First baseman John Whittleman went 2-for-5 with two
doubles to lead the offense.
Tuesday, April 10: L, 10-2 @ San Antonio
The Naturals had no answer for the Missions offensive power display in a 10-2 loss at San Antonio. Starter and
loser Chris Dwyer (0-2) gave up five runs on four hits in only two and two-thirds innings of work. The Naturals
staff combined to surrender four home runs on the night, after having given up three in their first five games. Backto-back doubles by Terry Evans and Yem Prades to lead off the second gave the Naturals a 1-0 lead, but that would
be their only lead of the game. The first five batters in the lineup combined to go 4-for-22, not surprisingly, the
Naturals left 11 men on base in the contest.
Wednesday, April 11: OFF DAY
Thursday, April 12: L, 12-5 vs. Corpus Christi
Northwest Arkansas pitching had another rough outing in a 12-5 loss to Corpus Christi before 5, 658 fans attending
the Naturals home opener. Unable to build on his impressive 2012 debut, starter Jake Odorizzi (1-1) took the loss
failing to survive the first after giving up four runs on a hit and three walks in his two-thirds innings. Brendan
Lafferty was the lone Naturals pitcher of five to hold the Hooks scoreless, tossing an inning and two-thirds allowing
two hits. Trailing 6-0 in the second, the Naturals struck for three runs, highlighted by a two-run homer to left center
by Sharlon Schoop, slicing the deficit to 6-3. For the second straight game the Naturals failed to collect timely hits
as they left another 10 men on base.
Friday, April 13: L, 12-2 vs. Corpus Christi
For the second straight night, the Naturals had no answers for the Hooks offense, losing their fourth consecutive
game, 12-2. After opening with three scoreless innings starter Noel Arguelles (0-2), who unraveled in the fourth and
fifth frames, allowed five runs on five hits over four and a third. Reliever Bryan Paukovits was tagged for seven
runs on two hits while issuing six walks in his inning and a third. Trailing 12-0 in the ninth, the Naturals avoided
the shutout getting a run scoring sac fly from Kurt Mertins and an RBI single from Ben Theriot.
Saturday, April 14: W, 9-7 vs. Corpus Christi
The Naturals snapped a four-game losing streak thanks to the bat of top-prospect Wil Myers in a back-and-forth 9-7
win over the Hooks Saturday night. In the first inning, with the Naturals already down 3-0, Myers blasted a threerun homer to left field to quickly tie the score. Myers finished the night 4-for-5 with 5 RBI, his first multi-RBI
game of the season. Shortstop Christian Colon’s solo homer in the sixth proved to be the game winner. Kendal
Volz (1-0) earned the win in relief, combining with Blaine Hardy to toss five shutout innings allowing just two hits.
Sunday, April 15: RAINOUT vs. San Antonio
Springfield Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals Affiliate
This Week: 2-4; Overall Record: 4-6
2nd Place North Division
Monday, April 9: L, 5-4 vs. Midland
After falling behind by five runs early, Springfield's comeback attempt fell just short in a 5-4 loss to Midland
Monday night in front of 3805 fans at Hammons Field. A season-high ten walks issued by the Cardinals staff was
too much to overcome, especially in the sixth when three walks by reliever Justin Wright led to a grand slam that
broke open the game. Starter Tyler Lyons (0-1) pitched well despite his four walks, striking out five while giving up
only one run in four and two-thirds innings. The Cardinals closed the gap via the long ball with Rainel Rosario
connecting on a three-run homer to left in the seventh and second baseman Kolten Wong adding a solo shot in the
ninth that cut the deficit to 5-4, but that's as close as the Cardinals would get.
Tuesday, April 10: W, 5-2 vs. Midland
After a comeback attempt fell short the night before, the Cardinals rallied for a 5-2 win over the RockHounds
Tuesday afternoon in Springfield. Cardinals starter Scott Gorgen, who missed the entire 2011 season after Tommy
John surgery, struck out six with no walks while giving up only one run on three hits in six innings. Trailing 1-0 in
the seventh, the Cardinals offense woke up in time to take over the contest. Singles by Adam Melker and Thomas
Pham plated three runs and gave Springfield a 3-1 lead they would never relinquish. A two-run single by left fielder
Jake Shaffer in the eighth put the Cardinals up 5-1. Keith Butler (1-0) earned the win in relief, while Sam Freeman
closed out the game with his first save of the season.
Wednesday, April 11: OFF DAY
Thursday, April 12: W, 5-1 @ Frisco
Springfield starter John Gast continued his dominance of Frisco in a convincing 5-1 win Thursday night. In his
second consecutive start against the RoughRiders, Gast (2-0) tossed seven brilliant innings, allowing just one run on
four hits, while adding seven strikeouts. The Cardinals offense did their part as well, exploding for 11 hits,
including Thomas Pham's first home run of the season. Second base prospect Kolten Wong continued his torrid
hitting, lining an RBI double to right field in the ninth that capped scoring for the Cardinals.
Friday, April 13: L, 8-6 @ Frisco
In an 8-6 loss to Frisco, Springfield's comeback attempt fell short. Trailing Frisco in the eighth, Nick Derba scored
on a wild pitch followed by an RBI single by Jose Garcia that cut the lead to two, but their threat ended when pinch
hitter Niko Vasquez struck out ending the inning. The Cardinals had 14 hits in the contest, which included a 4-for-4,
two-double night from shortstop Greg Garcia. Starter Trevor Rosenthal (0-2) took the loss after allowing six runs on
four hits in four and two-thirds innings.
Saturday, April 14: L, 6-2 @ Frisco
Springfield’s bats went cold in the deciding game of their three-game series with Frisco resulting in a 6-2 defeat.
Center fielder Oscar Taveras slugged a solo homer to center in the first putting the Cardinals ahead 1-0, giving them
their only lead of the game. In the fourth inning Adam Melker’s line drive homer to right proved to be the Cardinals
final run of a game in which they managed just five hits. Starter Michael Blazek (0-1) took the loss, struggling
throughout his four and one-third innings, allowing six runs on five hits. Despite the loss, the Cardinals remained in
second place in the Texas League North Division.
Sunday, April 15: L, 18-4 @ Midland
Springfield took a beating in a 18-4 loss Sunday at Midland in their series opener. Starter Tyler Lyons (0-2) lasted
just an inning and two-thirds giving up three runs on three hits, but the bullpen was even worse. Relievers Scott
Schneider and Kevin Thomas allowed a combined 11 runs in three and a third innings. Jose Garcia led the Cardinals
offense with three hits, including a double.
Tulsa Drillers
Colorado Rockies Affiliate
This Week: 4-2; Overall Record: 7-3
1st Place North Division
Monday, April 9: L, 7-4 @ Corpus Christi
After blowing a 4-1 lead, Tulsa lost to Corpus Christi 7-4 when they gave up a walk-off, three-run homer to the
Hooks in the bottom of the ninth. The Drillers opened the scoring when right fielder Kent Matthes led off the
second with a solo homer to left. They added another the following inning on a Nolan Arenado RBI groundout to
take a 2-0 lead. A pair of RBI singles in the sixth gave Tulsa a 4-1 lead before the Hooks started their comeback.
Starter Joe Gardner struck out five but gave up nine hits and four runs (three earned) in five and two-thirds innings.
Reliever Kurt Yacko (0-1) took the loss after giving up the game-winning home run to Hooks right fielder Jake
Goebbert.
Tuesday, April 10: W, 6-3 @ Corpus Christi
The Drillers took advantage of a hot start offensively and having Rockies 5th starter Drew Pomeranz on the hill in
their 6-3 win at Corpus Christi. Pomeranz, who was making a tune up start in advance of his 2012 Major League
debut, cruised through his four innings of work striking out four in four shutout innings. First baseman Ben
Paulsen's solo homer to lead off the second inning got the scoring started for the Drillers who scored all six of their
runs in the opening three innings. Tim Torres added his first homer of the season, a two-run shot in the third giving
the Drillers a 6-0 lead. The Drillers stroked 13 hits in the contest that featured a total of 25. Joey Williamson (2-0)
got the win in relief as Tulsa pitching held Corpus Christi scoreless over the first eight innings before a three-run
ninth finished the game's scoring.
Wednesday, April 11: OFF DAY
Thursday, April 12: L, 2-1 vs. San Antonio
The Drillers dropped a well-pitched 2-1 contest to the Missions in their home opener before a 2012 Texas Leaguehigh Opening Night crowd of 8,228 at ONEOK Field. Trailing 2-0 in the sixth, center fielder Michael Mitchell's
RBI single cut the Missions lead to one. After Nolan Arenado was hit by a pitch, Ben Paulsen's groundout moved
the runners to second and third, but Kent Matthes struck out to end the threat. Despite receiving the loss, Drillers
starter Edwar Cabrera (1-1) had another solid effort, allowing just two runs on five hits in six innings. The bullpen
duo of Cory Riordan and Will Harris threw three scoreless innings to finish the game for the Drillers.
Friday, April 13: W, 9-4 vs. San Antonio
The Drillers patiently waited out a one hour and 46-minute rain delay before powering their way to a 9-4 win over
the Missions. Shortstop Josh Rutledge filled up the stat sheet with his 2-for-4, two- homer, three RBI, three runs
scored, one steal night. Ben Paulsen and Kent Matthew also added home runs as the Drillers scored in six of the
game’s first seven innings. Starter Dan Houston (1-1) allowed three runs on three hits in his six innings to earn his
first win of the young season.
Saturday, April 14: W, 5-3 vs. San Antonio
In a 5-3 win over the Missions in Saturday night's series finale, Tulsa scored all their runs in a five run, fourth
inning. The fourth inning got underway with a double by lead-off hitter Josh Rutledge and Michael Mitchell getting
plunked. Consecutive doubles by Nolan Arenado, who drove in Rutledge, and Ben Paulsen gave the Drillers a 3-1
lead Starter Parker Frazier (1-0), making his first start in Tulsa since high school (2007) earned his first win of the
season after allowing two runs while scattering 10 hits in six innings. The win increased Tulsa’s North Division
lead to two games over Springfield.
Sunday, April 15: W, 2-1 vs. Corpus Christi
Third baseman Nolan Arenado picked a good time to hit his first home run of the season, drilling a clutch solo shot
to left field in the bottom of the eighth, leading the Drillers to a 2-1 win over the Hooks in their series opener. In a
pitcher's duel, Tulsa starter Nick Schmidt threw six brilliant innings, allowing only one run on five hits while
striking out three. Will Harris (1-0) earned the win in relief while Josh Sullivan recorded his second save.
South Division Notes
4/9-4/15
Corpus Christi Hooks
Houston Astros Affiliate
This Week: 3-3; Overall Record 5-5
3rd Place South Division
Monday, April 9: W, 7-4 vs. Tulsa
Jake Goebbert's three-run walk-off homer in the ninth capped a stunning 7-4 comeback by Corpus Christi over
Tulsa. Trailing 4-1 in the sixth, the Hooks drew even thanks to a Chris Wallace RBI double and a two-run homer by
T.J. Steele. Starter Jake Buchanan was hit hard in his five and one-third innings or work, giving up four runs on
eight hits, but was picked up by a Hooks offense that collected 11 hits. Josh Zeid (1-0) earned the win in relief after
tossing two shutout innings while notching three strikeouts.
Tuesday, April 10: L, 6-3 vs. Tulsa
The Hooks struck for three runs in the ninth inning, but it was not enough in a 6-3 loss to the Drillers Tuesday night
at Whataburger Field. Getting hits was not an issue for the Hooks as they totaled 12 in the game, but they were not
able to get enough clutching hitting leaving 12 runners on base. Corpus Christi wasted a great game from center
fielder Brandon Barnes, who was 4-for-5 with his first homer of the season. Starter Henry Villar (1-1) struggled
through his three innings of work, giving up all six of the Drillers' runs. The bullpen pitched a shutout the rest of the
way, striking out seven while giving up only four hits.
Wednesday, April 11: OFF DAY
Thursday, April 12: W, 12-5 @ NW Arkansas
The Hooks scored early and often during a convincing 12-5 win over the Naturals Thursday night in Springdale.
Wasting no time, the scoring barrage opened in the first when Jose Martinez cleared the bases with a triple, then
scored on a T.J. Steele double giving the Hooks a 4-0 lead. Martinez finished his night 3-for-5 with 5 RBI as the
Hooks erupted for 14 hits in the contest, 10 of which were extra-base. Jonathan Villar swiped his league-leading
fifth base in the contest. Erick Abreu (2-0) earned the win in relief of starter Ross Seaton after throwing three
innings of one-run, two-hit ball.
Friday, April 13: W, 12-2 @ NW Arkansas
In a 12-2 rout Friday night in Springdale Jose Cisnero continued his dominance of the Naturals, while receiving
plenty of help from his offense. In six innings Cisnero (1-0) did not allow a run for the second straight start against
the Naturals, striking out seven while allowing just three hits. The offense got started in the fourth inning, when T.J.
Steele’s sacrifice fly and Chris Wallace’s 2-RBI double staked the Hooks to a 3-0 lead. After scoring twice in the
fifth increasing their lead to five, the Hooks exploded for seven runs in the ninth, highlighted by run scoring doubles
from Jake Goebbert and Brandon Barnes. The Hooks’ 12 runs came on nine hits, only four of which were extrabase (all doubles).
Saturday, April 14: L, 9-7 @ NW Arkansas
Corpus Christi fell short in its bid for a three-game sweep dropping a wild 9-7 contest at Northwest Arkansas
Saturday night. The Hooks jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first, courtesy of RBIs by Jake Goebbert (single)
Brandon Barnes (double) and Jose Martinez (sac fly). The Naturals responded with six consecutive runs forcing the
Hooks to spend the rest of the game playing catch-up. Trailing 7-4 in the fifth, the Hooks answered with three runs
to knot the score, but were held scoreless the rest of the way. Hooks starter Brett Oberholtzer got tagged for seven
runs (six earned) on nine hits in four and a third innings, but did not factor into the decision. Reliever Jonnathan
Aristil (0-1) was charged with the loss after giving up the game-winning homer in the sixth inning.
Sunday, April 15: L, 2-1 @ Tulsa
The Hooks wasted a fine effort from starter Jake Buchanan in a 2-1 loss at Tulsa Sunday afternoon. Buchanan, who
did not factor into the decision, tossed six innings allowing just one run on four hits. Reliever Kevin Chapman (0-1)
took the loss after serving up a game-winning solo homer in the eighth to Drillers third baseman Nolan Arenado.
The Hooks only run came in the fourth when right fielder Jake Goebbert tied the score when he led off the inning
with a line drive homer to right. Despite collecting eight hits, the Hooks failed to deliver in the clutch, leaving seven
men on base while going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
Frisco RoughRiders
Texas Rangers Affiliate
This Week: 4-2; Overall Record 7-3
1st Place South Division
Monday, April 9: L, 4-2 @ Arkansas
Despite racking up 10 hits, Frisco was not able to overcome an early deficit, falling to Arkansas 4-2 Monday night.
After handing a 1-0 lead in the first, starter Tim Murphy (0-1) struggled in the bottom half, giving up three runs on
three hits. The RoughRiders staff settled down after the first inning, allowing one run over the final seven innings,
which included two and one-third scoreless innings from reliever Trevor Hurley. Left fielder Ryan Strausborger led
the offense going 3-for-4 with a triple and a run scored.
Tuesday, April 10: W, 8-1 @ Arkansas
A monster game from center fielder Engel Beltre led the RoughRiders to a 8-1 romp over the Travelers in the rubber
game of their series Tuesday night. Beltre, who had one homer in all of 2011, went deep twice, including a fifthinning grand slam that started the Frisco scoring outburst. Beltre added his third homer of the year in the ninth, a
two-run shot to right, completing his 3-for-5, 6-RBI night. Starter Justin Grimm (2-0) followed up his Opening
Night gem with another strong performance, allowing just one run in six and one-third innings. Relievers Ryan
Rodebaugh and Johan Yan combined to record the final eight outs, allowing just two hits.
Wednesday, April 11: OFF DAY
Thursday, April 12: L, 5-1 vs. Springfield
In front of a home-opening crowd of 7,258 at Dr. Pepper Ballpark, the RoughRiders were again unable to solve
Springfield starter John Gast, losing 5-1. The RoughRiders managed just five hits, two coming off the bat of second
baseman Leury Garcia who poled his second triple of the season in the third. Third baseman Mike Olt's sixth inning
triple drove in the lone tally for Frisco. Starter Miguel De Los Santos (0-2) dropped his second straight decision to
the Cardinals, allowing four runs on seven hits in four and one-third innings.
Friday, April 13: W, 8-6 vs. Springfield
The RoughRiders treated a packed Dr. Pepper Ballpark crowd of 10,216 to an 8-6 win Friday night. Star third base
prospect Mike Olt opened the scoring in the first with a two-run homer to center. After scoring twice in the fourth
taking a 4-1 lead, Olt drove in his third run the following inning with an RBI groundout that scored Jurickson Profar.
After a strikeout, right fielder Jared Prince singled home Profar that extended the Frisco lead to 6-2. Starter Barret
Loux (2-0) allowed just two runs while scattering eight hits in five and two-thirds innings, earning the win. Johan
Yan recorded the final four outs of the game, collecting his third save of the season.
Saturday, April 14: W, 6-2 vs. Springfield
Shortstop prospect Jurickson Profar’s big night lifted the RoughRiders to a 6-2 win over the Cardinals in the rubber
game of their three-game series. Profar’s first multi-hit game at the Double-A level included a solo homer in the
first that tied the score at one. Trailing 2-1 in the fourth, right fielder Ryan Strausborger tripled home two runs to
give the RoughRiders a 3-2 lead they would never relinquish. Five of Frisco's seven hits were of the extra-base
variety. Starter Jacob Brigham (1-0) earned the win after tossing five innings of two-run, five-hit ball. Reliever
Carlos Pimentel gave the rest of the bullpen the night off, earning a save after striking out six in four perfect innings.
Sunday, April 15: W, 4-3 vs. Arkansas
The RoughRiders scored three in the bottom of the eighth to complete a 4-3 comeback win Sunday over the
Travelers. Shortstop Jurickson Profar led off the inning with a solo blast to right closing the deficit to 3-2. After
Engel Beltre's RBI single tied the score later in the inning, first baseman Guilder Rodriguez put Frisco ahead with an
infield single that scored Jared Prince. Reliever Corey Young (1-0) received the win while Johan Yan closed the
door on the Travelers in the ninth to earn his league-leading fourth save.
Midland RockHounds
Oakland Athletics Affiliate
This Week: 4-2; Overall Record 6-4
2nd Place South Division
Monday, April 9: W, 5-4 @ Springfield
Midland took advantage of 10 walks issued by Springfield pitching, racing out to a five-run lead before holding on
for a 5-4 victory Monday night. The RockHounds got on the board in the third when third baseman Leonardo Gil's
RBI single drove in Conner Crumbliss. In the sixth, Dusty Coleman broke the game open when he smacked a grand
slam to right field. Starter Gary Daley (1-0) dominated the Cardinals in his six shutout innings, striking out four
while allowing just two hits. Jonathan Ortiz gave up a run in the ninth, but was able to close the door and earn his
first save of the season.
Tuesday, April 10: L, 5-2 @ Springfield
Losing to Springfield 5-2, The RockHounds wasted a terrific effort by starter A.J. Griffin who reeled off six no-hit
innings. For the second straight start, Griffin had to settle for a no-decision after another no-run, eight-strikeout
effort. After taking a 1-0 lead in the second on an Anthony Aliotti RBI double, the RockHounds were held scoreless
until the ninth when Michael Choice scored on a throwing error. James Simmons (0-1) took the loss, giving up all
five of the Cardinals runs in his inning and a third appearance. The loss dropped the RockHounds to 3-3 during
their season-opening road trip.
Wednesday, April 11: OFF DAY
Thursday, April 12: W, 8-4 vs. Arkansas
Jeremy Barfield's game-changing, sixth inning grand slam guided Midland to an 8-4 victory before a home-opening
crowd of 6,416 at Citibank Ballpark. With the score tied at two in the sixth, catcher Ryan Ortiz walked with the
bases loaded giving the RockHounds the lead, followed by Barfield's slam to increase the margin to 7-2. Michael
Spina's sacrifice fly in the seventh capped the RockHounds scoring. Reliever Bruce Billings (2-0) got his second
win in as many appearances with two and two-thirds innings of work.
Friday, April 13: L, 4-2 vs. Arkansas
A RockHounds comeback attempt fell short in a 4-2 loss to the Travelers. Trailing 4-0 in the seventh, Midland
finally generated some offense when first baseman Anthony Aliotti drilled a two-run homer to left, cutting the
Arkansas lead in half, but the RockHounds could not get any closer on a night during which they managed just three
hits. Starter Sonny Gray (0-1) took the loss after allowing four runs (two earned) on four hits in six innings.
Relievers Paul Smyth and Brett Hunter kept Midland in the game with three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit
and fanning six batters combined.
Saturday, April 14: W, 3-2 vs. Arkansas
A big first inning and strong pitching propelled the RockHounds to a 3-2 win over the Travelers in the rubber game
of their three-game series. Midland scored all their runs in the first, the key hit a 2-RBI double lined to left by Shane
Peterson, who would later come home on a single by designated hitter Anthony Aliotti that gave the RockHounds a
3-0 lead. Starter Murphy Smith (1-0) tossed six effective innings to earn the win, allowing two runs on two hits.
Shawn Haviland picked up the save after closing out the game with a stellar three-inning performance, striking out
four, while allowing only one hit. The RockHounds wore special uniforms, with RockHounds translated into
Japanese on the front of the jersey, for the second consecutive night Saturday to raise awareness for the Tsunami
Relief effort in Japan.
Sunday, April 15: W, 18-4 vs. Springfield
The RockHounds dominated the Cardinals 18-4 to win the series opener between the teams Sunday evening in
Midland. Wasting little time, the RockHounds built a 14-1 lead by the fourth inning. The RockHounds smacked 22
hits in the contest, including seven doubles. Right fielder Jeremy Barfield had a monster game, going 4-for-5 with a
homer and 6 RBI. Winning pitcher Gary Daley (2-0) benefited from the offensive support, pitching into the seventh,
allowing three runs on eight hits.
San Antonio Missions
San Diego Padres Affiliate
This Week: 3-2; Overall Record 4-5
4th Place South Division
Monday, April 9: W, 4-3 vs. NW Arkansas
San Antonio catcher Jason Hagerty slammed the first pitch of the ninth inning deep to right field completing a
thrilling 4-3 comeback victory by the Missions. In the midst of a 24-inning scoreless drought, the Missions broke
their drought in the sixth when they scored a pair of runs, cutting the Naturals lead to 3-2. Nathan Freiman, who had
driven in the Missions first run in the sixth with a ground out tied the score in the eighth with a homer to left center,
setting up Hagerty's heroics.
Tuesday, April 10: W, 10-2 vs. NW Arkansas
In a far less dramatic game than the previous night, the Missions rode their recent power surge to an easy 10-2 win
over the Naturals. Cody Decker, making his first ever start in right field, was the offensive star belting two homers
and driving in four runs. First baseman Nathan Freiman homered for the second straight game and Jeudy Valdez
added his first homer of the season in the eighth, a three-run shot that capped the scoring. Starter Juan Oramas
rebounded nicely from his disappointing Opening Night performance by allowing just one run on four hits in four
and two-thirds innings. Jason Ray (1-0) got the win recording all four of his outs via the strikeout. The Missions
finished up their opening homestand with a 3-3 record.
Wednesday, April 11: OFF DAY
Thursday, April 12: W, 2-1 @ Tulsa
In a 2-1 win Thursday night at Tulsa, San Antonio continued to rely on the long ball. Missions first baseman Nathan
Freiman led off the fourth with his league-leading fourth homer of the season, a solo shot to left staking San Antonio
to a 1-0 lead. After an Edinson Rincon groundout, catcher Jason Hagerty followed with a solo shot of his own,
increasing the Missions lead to 2-0. Starter Keyvius Sampson (1-0) was sharp again, earning his first win of the
season after allowing just one run on four hits in five and a third innings. Miles Mikolas recorded his first save of
the season, as the Missions won for the third time in a row.
Friday, April 13: L, 9-4 @ Tulsa
San Antonio’s bid for their fourth win in a row was denied as they lost to Tulsa 9-4. The Missions, who never led in
the contest, got home runs from both Jaff and Cody Decker. Dean Anna (2-for-4) was the only Missions batter to
collect more than one hit. Starter Andrew Werner (0-1), who struck out seven in five and a third innings, took the
loss after allowing seven runs on eight hits. Reliever Jason Ray pitched a perfect eighth, striking out two.
Saturday, April 14: L, 5-3 @ Tulsa
San Antonio wasted 12 hits in a 5-3 loss at Tulsa, dropping the series’ deciding game in the process. The Missions
led early thanks to a Jedd Gyorko RBI groundout in the first, a batter after Jaff Decker led off the game with a triple.
After falling behind 5-1 through four innings, the Missions chipped away with a run in the sixth on Reymond
Fuentes’s first homer of the season and a run in the eighth but got no closer. Tossing five innings, starter Hayden
Beard (0-2) suffered the loss after giving up five runs (four earned), all coming in the fourth.
Sunday, April 15: RAINOUT @ NW Arkansas
This Week in Texas League History
April 16-22
April 16, 2000
In their home opener, Shreveport pounded five home runs, blasting Tulsa 10-0.
Shreveport DH Mike Glendenning and first baseman Tim Flaherty both had two
homers and three RBI in the rout.
April 17, 1935
Galveston kicked away their game versus San Antonio, losing 9-3 after
committing nine errors in the contest.
April 18, 1898
Houston first baseman Bill Kemmer had the most prolific day in the short history
of the league when he drove in 12 runs in a 16-10 win over Fort Worth. Kemmer
used two singles and three, three-run homers to amass the record setting run
total. His record would last just four years, being shattered by J. J. Clarke’s 16
RBI that came in Corsicana’s epic 51-3 rout of Texarkana in June, 1902.
April 19, 1963
Veteran Texas League umpire Hank Stein resigned from the league’s staff and
returned home after receiving a cascade of verbal abuse and a small shower of
beverage bottles in the season opener at El Paso. Interestingly, El Paso won the
game 7-6 after scoring three runs in the bottom of the ninth, the winning run
coming home after Stein had called a balk on Albuquerque pitcher Darrell
Peters.
April 20, 1932
San Antonio left fielder John Zaepfel cracked three triples, helping to lead the
Indians to a 9-5 win over Galveston. Zaepfel’s trio of three-base hits and San
Antonio’s total of six both tied league single game records.
April 21, 1972
Tulsa’s Billy Sample hit for the cycle in the Drillers 13-3 pounding of Arkansas.
In his perfect day at the plate, Sample tripled in the first, hit a two-run homer in
the fifth, doubled in the eighth and singled in the ninth, while adding a walk in
the third.
April 22, 1991
Arkansas got their home opener off to a rollicking start, scoring 12 runs in the
first inning, on the way to a 16-10 win over Jackson. After building a 14-0 lead,
the Travelers’ pen made the game more exciting than home fans may have
liked, allowing Jackson to score 10 times over their final three innings at bat.
Information
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