Texas League

Newsletter

Vol. XXIII, No. 12

6/22-28

Texas notes: Hooks' Devenski working hard

By Troy Schulte -- Special to MiLB.com -- 6/23/15

Chris Devenski had just finished off his part in a rain-shortened no-hitter last month, but the

work wasn't finished for the Corpus Christi right-hander.

In a tunnel outside of the Hooks' clubhouse, Devenski plugged head phones into his ears and

went through a short, but brisk, workout routine that included jumping rope and work with a

medicine ball while waiting for a 4-0 victory over the Arkansas Travelers to finally be called

after six innings.

Afterward, Devenski called his post-start routine an effort to "be more dedicated." Two days

later, Devenski went through a pre-game routine that included sprints and sit-ups in the outfield

grass immediately following a bullpen session.

"No days off," he said. "I've always had a good work ethic. I've always been able to take pride in

that. But I'm at a point where I can always take it to another level."

It's hard to argue with his methods. The 24-year-old isn't listed on any prospect rankings, but he's

been the most dominant pitcher in the Texas League through the first half of the season.

Devenski is 7-1 with a 1.23 ERA heading into the Texas League All-Star break. He's struck out

55 batters and walked only 16 in 66 innings pitched. He held teams to one earned run or fewer 11

times through his first 12 appearances, and his only hiccup came June 16 when he allowed four

runs in a loss to San Antonio.

He's still enjoying the best of his five professional seasons by far.

"It's something that's always been in me," the Cal State Fullerton product said. "It was a matter of

time putting it all together, and I'm putting it together and I'm going to keep rolling."

Drafted in the 25th round by the Chicago White Sox in 2011, Devenski was traded midway

through 2012 to the Houston Astros. He threw a no-hitter at Class A Lexington in 2012 but

struggled through much of the last two seasons at Class A Quad Cities, Class A Advanced

Lancaster and Corpus Christi.

To read the full article, go to:

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20150623&content_id=132321522&fext=.jsp&vke

y=news_l109&sid=l109

Missions Trio Shares College World Series Experience By Pat Turner -- SAMissions.com -- 6/23/15

San Antonio Missions outfielders Travis Jankowski and Hunter Renfroe and catcher Jason

Hagerty have something in common.

Prior to the beginning of their professional baseball careers, the three experienced the thrill of

playing in the College World Series. While Jankowski helped Stony Brook to the big stage in

Omaha, Renfroe (Mississippi State) and Hagerty (Miami) did the same at their respective

schools. Neither of them was part of a championship, even though Renfroe and the Bulldogs

reached the finals. Despite coming up short in that category, it was still the highlight of their

college careers.

"It was awesome" said Hagerty, who was with Miami during the final year (2008) the series was

played at Rosenblatt Stadium. "This was the first time I had ever played on a big stage like that.

The welcoming you get from Omaha is great. It's that goal of winning a national championship

that makes it exciting.

"There's that fight to get there and when you do anything can happen. It's on ESPN and you're

there representing your school. The atmosphere at the games was amazing. Every game was sold

out. It seemed like every play was so important. You had the feeling something special was

going to happen."

All three were part of something special. In Jankowski's case, it was also an opportunity to make

history. While Miami has been to the College World Series 24 times with four championships

and Mississippi State has nine appearances, it was a first-time accomplishment for Stony Brook.

At the time many college sports fans had never heard of the New York-based school, which

plays in the America East Conference. Prior to recruiting, Jankowski admitted he didn't know

about the Seawolves. During the 2012 season, Stony Brook became a household name among the

college baseball nation.

To read the full article, go to:

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20150623&content_id=132415898&fext=.jsp&vke

y=news_t510&sid=t510

Mitchell rediscovering his lost stroke with Travs

By Troy Schulte -- Arkansas Democrat-Gazette -- 6/24/15

Jared Mitchell didn't have a team to play for six weeks ago.

The former LSU baseball and football standout has started to settle in over the past few weeks of

his career restart with the Arkansas Travelers.

Mitchell had a single, an RBI triple and scored a run to help the Travs to a 7-4 victory over the

Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Tuesday night at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock.

The 2009 first-round pick of the Chicago White Sox is 6 for 12 in the first 3 games of the series,

raising his average with the Travs to .287 as he tried to reboot to a once promising career.

"It's relief more than anything," said Mitchell, who is hitting .333 in June. "It's not like I didn't

know it was there, so it feels good to really get the ball rolling and have a lot of the season left."

There was a point last month when Mitchell wasn't sure if he'd be back in a uniform again this

year.

Drafted 23rd overall in 2009, two spots ahead of Mike Trou, Mitchell suffered through a tendon

tear in his left ankle in 2010 and then ineffectiveness as he struggled to make the jump from

Class AA to Class AAA. He hit .231 in 81 games last season at Class AAA Charlotte and started

this season 2 for 40 with 22 strikeouts before being released May 3.

Mitchell, 26, signed with the Los Angeles Angels on May 24, then struggled through the first

few weeks in a new league with a new organization. After going 0 for 3 June 3, Mitchell was

hitting .200.

"When you get to a new team, a new organization, there's always a settling in period," Arkansas

Manager Bill Richardson said. "We basically took him in and said, 'What do we have to do? Do

we have to change something?' "

Hitting coaching Tom Tornincasa decided to make a small tweak to Mitchell's front leg kick.

Mitchell had two hits in a June 3 loss at San Antonio, and he's been on a roll ever since. All six

of his multi-hit games have come in June, including three in a row to start the current homestand.

To read the full article, go to:

http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2015/jun/24/mitchell-rediscovering-his-lost-stroke--1/

Adjustments paying off for Springfield's Rodriguez

By Jim Connell -- Springfield News-Leader -- 6/23/15

For Jonathan Rodriguez, it's all about the adjustments at this point.

The Springfield Cardinals first baseman is putting together a solid, efficient season, hitting .279

with a team-high eight home runs and 32 RBIs going into Tuesday's game.

He said Tuesday it's something of a cat-and-mouse game. The hitters typically have the

advantage at the beginning of the season, then pitchers adjust and hitters must change to answer

those changes.

"With the Texas League being an eight-team league, you play these guys 30 times each, they're

going to make adjustments on you," Rodriguez said before the Springfield Cardinals played

Tulsa at Hammons Field. "The more you see their pitching, you know them better and get

tendencies from the pitcher and catcher and adjust to that."

And he has the endorsement from his manager for the job he's done through his first 58 games

this season.

"There's always peaks and valleys as a player, and you try to have less valleys and more peaks,"

Dann Bilardello said. "He's been a solid guy for us this year. We put him in the four-spot, pretty

much from the beginning, and he's kind of solidified that spot.

It's not an easy spot to hit in, and he's done a nice job. I think he's added something to our

offense, and on defense he does a nice job around the bag. So he's somebody who improves our

ballclub, for sure."

The 25-year-old from San Juan, Puerto Rico, was a 17th

-round draft choice in 2009 out of

Manatee Junior College in Florida. He started his pro career at age 19 and has made a steady

move up the chain in the Cardinals' ranks.

He said he's at the point in his career where he knows how to take care of his body through the

rigors of a full season.

To read the full article, go to:

http://www.news-leader.com/story/sports/baseball/springfield-cardinals/2015/06/23/adjustments-

paying-springfields-rodriguez/29199291/

Padres’ Jankowski Blossoms in San Antonio By John Conniff – Baseball America – 6/28/15

SAN ANTONIO—On April 23 of last year, San Antonio center fielder Travis Jankowski

demonstrated why he might be the best defensive outfielder in the Padres’ system when he

caught a deep drive to right center by Rougned Odor. Problem was, he crashed into the wall

doing so.

While he robbed Odor of a triple, he also robbed himself of most of his season as he wasn’t able

to return until Aug. 6.

“It was a pretty windy day and I didn’t take the best route to the ball so I ended up going straight

into the wall with my left arm fully extended,” the 24-year old Jankowski said.

“So when I caught the ball with my glove hand I didn’t have time to bring my arm back and went

in wrist first, which not only broke my wrist but I also ended up having surgery on my elbow for

a displaced radial head.”

The injury not only nearly ended his career but could have left him with a permanent injury.

“I didn’t know how bad it was until afterward when the doctor told me that if the surgery had

gone wrong, my left arm would have been permanently bent.”

But after a rehab that went better and quicker than expected, the man known as “Fred” to friends

and family—because of his love of TV’s Fred Rogers—was able to return. He got in 13 games,

ending up with a slash line of.240/.297/.300. While it was impressive to return as quickly as he

did, those were not the numbers he or the Padres were expecting coming into 2014.

This season has been different. Not only is Jankowski back to full strength, but he is playing the

best baseball of his career. He is among the Texas League leaders in batting average, stolen bases

and on-base percentage, the categories that you want to see for a leadoff hitter. According to

Padres’ player development director Sam Geaney, he’s “playing the hell out of center field” on

defense.

Jankowski, a Texas League all-star, is hitting .312/.396/.391 with 23 steals in 29 attempts. He

ranks fourth in the TL in batting and on-base percentage and is second in stolen bases and he was

selected for the league all-star game on June 30.

To read the full article, go to:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/padres-travis-jankowski-blossoms-san-antonio/

Sam Deskin: Well-traveled; Long-forgotten

By Kris Rutherford

While the early Texas League lacked for many things, stability ranked at the top of the

list. Teams, owners, umpires, and players alike shifted frequently, and the local teams fans

turned out to cheer on a Saturday afternoon might look dramatically different a week later. The

constant change took its toll on many ballplayers, and those with long Texas League careers

invariably played for several franchises in several cities. But, for a young outfielder who spent

just three years as a professional, it is unlikely anyone logged as many railroad miles in as short a

time as Sam Deskin.

Samuel T. Deskin was born in Bryan, Texas, in 1878, to Samuel Russell Deskin and his

wife, Mary E. Thrasher Deskin. The elder Deskin, a Missouri native, joined the Confederate

Army at age 17, and just months later saw heavy combat at Gettysburg. Though not physically-

wounded, Deskin had been discharged by the end of 1863 and settled in Bryan, where he and his

Kentucky-born wife married. Over the next decade, Sam worked as a carpenter while his wife

tended house and raised the couple’s two sons and two daughters. After the birth of Charles in

1877, however, something in the marriage appears to have gone amiss.

Though Samuel T. Deskin, or Sam, Jr., as he was known later in life, was born in 1878,

records suggest he may not have been the biological child of his legal father. The 1880 U.S.

Census further raises further questions, as Mary Deskin is recorded as “single” and living with

her children and mother in Robertson, Texas. Samuel Russell Deskin, however, is nowhere to be

found. Although he reappears in Oklahoma in 1900, future records suggest the couple divorced

soon after Sam, Jr.’s birth. Considering the rarity of divorces in the 19th

century, extraordinary

circumstances must have led to the breakup, and no evidence indicates Sam, Jr. ever having

contact with his namesake.

By 1900, Sam, Jr. had taken a job with the railroad in Bryan and played local amateur

baseball. In early 1902, he played semi-pro ball in the San Antonio City League, and reports of

his excellent fielding and “hard hitting” drew interest from managers of the six North Texas

League franchises preparing to resume play after a nearly four-year hiatus. Long-time Texas-

Leaguer Cy Mulkey signed Deskin to play outfield for his Sherman/Denison Students, and Sam

headed north for his first professional season.

Just two weeks into the 1902 schedule, Cy Mulkey relocated his team to Texarkana, and

Sam continued his career with the “Casketmakers.” He remained with the Texarkana franchise

for the duration of its short existence, batting lead-off and gaining two hits in the Casketmakers’

infamous 51-3 defeat at the hands of Corsicana in mid-June. Soon after the record-setting loss,

Cy Mulkey abruptly retired, leaving the team in the hands of an incompetent colleague.

Texarkana ceased operations in short order, leaving Sam Deskin and the remainder of the team

free agents. The Dallas Griffins, who lured Cy Mulkey out of retirement after just three days,

quickly signed Deskin, but he stayed only eight games before joining the Corsicana Oil Citys,

the very team victimizing his Casketmakers just weeks earlier. Apparently Deskin served a

temporary role on the championship Corsicana team that went on to post an 86-22 record. Nine

games later he had joined the Paris Parisians, best known as “Eisendfelder’s Homeseekers.”

After just six games with Paris, Deskin relocated one more time, ending his season on the Fort

Worth Panthers roster. Over the course of sixty-four games in 1902, Sam Deskin played for

every team in the league with the exception of Waco, ending his rookie year with a .235 batting

average, highly respectable for a young man spending most of the season in a railroad car.

In 1903, Deskin returned to San Antonio where he took another job with the railroad and

lived with his mother and sister and again played in the City League. A year later, he rejoined

the Texas League, playing most of the season for the lowly Paris Red Ravens. When the team

relocated to Ardmore with just two weeks left in the season, Deskin returned to Corsicana,

finishing the year with a far less competitive Oil City team than he had briefly played for in

1902. Sam’s 1904 statistics almost mirrored those of his rookie season, as he appeared in sixty-

nine games with a .233 batting average. Fortunately, his defensive skills kept Deskin in demand,

and he signed with the Austin Senators in early 1905.

Although the Senators couldn’t match Paris’ futility of a season earlier, Austin came out

of the gate unimpressively. Even Texas League legend Mike O’Connor’s managing couldn’t

save the Senators, and when fans stopped paying to watch a losing franchise just forty games

into the season, the team disbanded. Deskin signed a second time in Dallas, this time playing for

the Giants. Ultimately his season carried him southward to Temple, where Deskin finished the

year as a member of the second-place Boll Weevils, falling just one-half game short of the Texas

League championship after his team lost five of its final seven games. Although playing in a

career-high eighty-seven games, Deskin batted just .226 on the season, with only six of his

eighty-two hits going for extra bases.

1905 turned out to be the final season of Sam Deskin’s short professional career. In just

three seasons, Sam played in eight cities for ten different Texas League teams. Appearing in 220

games, Deskin finished his career with a .231 batting average and 207 hits. He never lived up to

the “hard hitting” label he’d been given by the San Antonio newspaper in 1902, as all but

thirteen of Sam’s hits ended at first base, and he never recorded a triple or home run.

Even though his professional career had come to an end, baseball and the Texas League

were not yet finished with Sam Deskin. Over the next nine years, he played several seasons of

independent baseball, including a stint on “Jack Burke’s Professionals,” a San Antonio-based

team that barnstormed across Texas taking on both amateur and professional teams alike. When

not playing, Deskin continued his railroad career and served as an umpire, including the 1908

and 1913 seasons with the Texas League. The most notorious incident of his umpiring career,

however, came in 1909 during a Southwestern League came between Bay City and Victoria.

Bay City had already suffered three straight home defeats at the hands of Victoria, and

the manager, players, and fans could not stand the thought of another loss. Midway through the

first game of a doubleheader to end the series, the Bay City manager got into a heated argument

with Deskin, and spectators swarmed the field in support of their leader. Before the fracas ended,

the Bay City manager attacked his Victoria counterpart with a knife, and a local policeman

offered to help organize a mob to run Sam Deskin out of the stadium on a rail. Fortunately,

cooler heads prevailed, as the remainder of the police force on hand escorted Deskin to the

railroad depot, and he safely escaped.

In 1914, at just thirty-seven years old, either age or mileage caught up with Sam Deskin.

He became ill during the summer, progressively worsening as the year wore on. He died at his

mother’s house in San Antonio on February 5, 1915, of the all-too common “consumption,” or

tuberculosis. He and his four siblings are buried in a plot in San Antonio’s City Cemetery #4, the

largest headstone that of Mary Deskin, inscribed “Mother.” No sign of the elder Sam Deskin

exists, and he was last recorded in 1920 living in a home for paupers in Garland City, Arkansas,

just a few miles from where his son, biological or not, played in his second of six cities in a

single season, undoubtedly a Texas League record.

Player of the Week, 6/22-28

INF Drew Robinson, Frisco

.409 AVG (9-for-22), 7 runs, 8 RBI, 2 HR, 1 2B, 1 3B, 4 XBH, 18 TB, .480 OBP, .818 SLG, 1.298 OPS

Frisco infielder Drew Robinson earned his first Texas League Player of the Week Honors after

hitting .409 and clubbing a pair of home runs last week, pushing his season total to a league-

leading 15. The left-handed slugger led the league in RBI (8) and hit .409/.480/.818 in six games

last week.

In games on June 22-24 against Midland, Robinson went a combined 5-for-10 with a double,

home run, and two RBI. On June 25, Robinson had a career day against Corpus Christi. The

power-hitting infielder went 4-for-4 with a triple, home run, and six RBI, the four hits and six

driven in were both season highs for Robinson. His first triple of the season came at the most

opportune time for the RoughRiders. Down to the Hooks 8-6 with the bases loaded in the top of

the ninth, Robinson smoked a bases-clearing three-bagger to center field that gaveFrisco a 10-8

lead when he scored after a throwing error on the play.

The Las Vegas, Nev., native was selected by the Texas Rangers in the fourth round of the 2010

Amateur Draft out of Silverado High School. Robinson's 15 home runs in 74 games is already a

career high in a season for the 23-year old.

Pitcher of the Week, 6/22-28

RHP Tim Atherton, Midland

1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, 8.0 Innings Pitched, 2 hits, 2 walk, 7 strikeouts, .080 Opposing Average

Midland right-hander Tim Atherton earned his first Texas League Pitcher of the Week honors

after a dominating performance in his one start last week.

On June 25, the 6-foot-2 hurler allowed just two hits and two walks over eight innings in a 5-0

shutout win over San Antonio. Atherton fanned seven in his longest outing of the season, only

allowing one batter past second base.

The Kempsey, NSW, Australia, native was acquired by the Oakland A's in the 2013 Rule 5

Draft. The 25-year old was originally signed by the Minnesota Twins as a non-drafted free agent

in February of 2007 as an outfielder. After being signed as a minor league free agent by the

Padres in 2008, Atherton returned to the Twins system as a minor league free agent in May of

2011 after being converted to a pitcher.

North Division Notes

6/22-28

Arkansas Travelers Los Angeles Angels Affiliate

This Week: 4-3; Overall Record: 39-36

2nd

Place North Division

Monday, June 22: W, 5-1 vs Northwest Arkansas

Arkansas evened their series against Northwest Arkansas at one game apiece after a five-run third inning propelled

the Travs to a 5-1 win over the Naturals. The Travs offense opened the frame with six consecutive singles and

recorded a total of eight hits in the inning. CF Jared Mitchell, who went 2-for-3, notched both of his hits in the big

third inning. Starter Albert Suarez (7-5) earned the win after allowing one run on six hits, while striking out three

over six innings.

Tuesday, June 23: W, 7-4 vs Northwest Arkansas

Arkansas defeated Northwest Arkansas 7-4 in the first game of the second half. Leading the Travs offense, SS Drew

Maggi went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI, while CF Jared Mitchell added a 2-for-5 performance that included

an RBI triple in the third inning. Starter Chris Ellis (2-0), who picked up his second win in three Texas League

starts, allowed three runs on three hits and three walks, while striking out five over five innings. Greg Mahle (S, 3)

earned the save after tossing a perfect ninth.

Wednesday, June 24: W, 5-0, vs Northwest Arkansas

Starting pitcher Michael Brady fanned eight over six innings, leading Arkansas to a 5-0 shutout of Northwest

Arkansas in their series finale. Brady (3-2) allowed just four hits and did not issue a walk in the win. Relievers

Austin Wood and Nate Hyatt completed the shutout, allowing just one hit over the final three frames. RF Blake

Gailen led the Travs at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.

Thursday, June 25: W, 6-0 vs Springfield

Arkansas erupted for six runs in the bottom of the first against Springfield, then cruised to a 6-0 shutout win over the

Cards. The Travs offense recorded five hits and two walks in the frame, with 1B Wade Hinkle blasting a grand

slam, his fifth homer of the year, that capped the scoring in the game. Starter Nate Smith (7-4) was spectacular over

seven shutout innings, striking out five, while allowing just three hits and two walks. Relievers Chris O'Grady and

Alan Busenitz completed the shutout, each tossing a scoreless frame.

Friday, June 26: Postponed due to rain vs Springfield

Saturday, June 27 (Game 1): L, 3-8 vs Springfield (7 innings)

Arkansas dropped the first game of their doubleheader against Springfield 8-3 on Saturday. The Travs offense

managed just four hits in the loss, with RF Blake Gailen and C Zach Wright each hitting a home run. Starter Kyle

McGowin (4-6) took the loss after allowing four runs on seven hits over five innings.

Saturday, June 27 (Game 2): L, 1-6 vs Springfield (7 innings)

The Arkansas offense was stifled in the second game of their doubleheader against Springfield, collecting just three

hits in a 6-1 loss to the Cards. 1B Wade Hinkle provided the lone Travs run of the game with a solo home run in the

fifth inning. Starting pitcher Albert Suarez (7-6) took the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits, while striking out

six over four innings.

Sunday, June 28: L, 4-6 vs Springfield

Arkansas fell 6-4 to Springfield Sunday night, dropping their third contest in a row. Leading the Travs offense, C

Anthony Benboom went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in the second inning, while DH Raywilly Gomez had a

perfect 2-for-2 night with a pair of walks. Austin Wood (5-2) suffered the loss in relief after giving up a run on four

hits over two innings of work.

Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Kansas City Royals Affiliate

This Week: 2-5; Overall Record: 42-34

1st Place North Division

Monday, June 22: L, 1-5 @ Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas was unable to overcome a five-run third inning by Arkansas, losing to the Travs 5-1. Leading

the Naturals offense, LF Jorge Bonifacio and C Parker Morin each recorded two hits, resulting in four of the six hits

the Naturals notched in the loss. Starter Jonathan Dziedzic (4-4) took the loss after giving up five runs on 10 hits,

while striking out five over five innings.

Tuesday, June 23: L, 4-7 @ Arkansas

Despite a three-run homer from DH Parker Morin, Northwest Arkansas lost to Arkansas 7-4 in the first game of the

second half. Morin's blast in the second inning was his second of the season, and was one of just four Naturals hits

in the game. Starter Jake Junis (0-1) suffered the loss in his Double-A debut after allowing five runs, four earned,

on seven hits over four innings.

Wednesday, June 24: L, 0-5 @ Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas managed just five hits against Arkansas Wednesday night, while being shut out by the Travs 5-

0. 1B Balbino Fuenmayor was the lone Naturals hitter to record more than one hit in the game, going 2-for-3.

Starter Kris Medlen (0-1), who was making his second rehab start with the Naturals, took the loss after giving up

five runs, four earned, on six hits and two walks over four innings.

Thursday, June 25: L, 2-3 vs Tulsa

Northwest Arkansas managed just three hits against Tulsa Thursday night, falling to the Drillers 3-2. 1B Balbino

Fuenmayor launched his 15th home run of the year, a solo shot with one out in the ninth to trim the Naturals deficit

to one. Starter J.C. Sulbaran (4-6) suffered the loss after giving up three runs on eight hits over six innings.

Friday, June 26: L, 1-5 vs Tulsa

Northwest Arkansas’ losing skid reached five games after a 5-1 loss to Tulsa Friday. CF Bubba Starling, who went

2-for-4, was the lone Naturals hitter to record more than one hit in the game. Starter Christian Binford (2-3)

suffered the loss after giving up four runs on eight hits over six innings.

Saturday, June 27: W, 2-1 vs Tulsa (11 innings)

RF Lane Adams smacked a two-out, bases-loaded single in the bottom of the 11th

that gave Northwest Arkansas a 2-

1 victory over Tulsa Saturday night. Adams’ base knock scored DH Jorge Bonifacio from third, who led the

Naturals at the plate with a 3-for-5 performance that included a pair of doubles. Aroni Nina (3-2) picked up the win

in relief after giving up two hits and a walk in a scoreless top of the 11th

.

Sunday, June 28: W, 12-1 vs Tulsa

Northwest Arkansas closed out their series against Tulsa with a 12-1 blowout Sunday. 3B Alex Liddi led the way

for the Naturals offense, going 3-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs. LF Lane Adams and 1B Balbino Fuenmayor

also combined to go 5-for-10 with two doubles and five RBI. Starter Cody Reed (1-0) earned the win in his Double-

A debut, in six innings allowing just one run on four hits and three walks, while striking out five.

Springfield Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals Affiliate

This Week 3-4; Overall Record: 33-43

4th Place North Division

Monday, June 22: L, 3-4 vs Tulsa

Despite recording a dozen hits, Springfield dropped their game against Tulsa Monday night 4-3. The Cards did not

make the most of their opportunities, going 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position that led to 11 men being left on

base. CF Charlie Tilson and RF Jeremy Hazelbaker led the Cards offense, each notching three hits. Joey Donofrio

(2-3) took the loss in relief of starter Kyle Hald after allowing a run on three hits over two innings.

Tuesday, June 23: L, 2-10 vs Tulsa

Springfield lost 10-2 to Tulsa after allowing seven runs in the eighth that broke a 2-2 tie. Seven different Cards

hitters recorded one hit in the loss. Kevin Herget (0-1) took the loss in relief of starter Andrew Morales after giving

up three runs on four hits and one walk over 1.1 innings.

Wednesday, June 24: L, 5-6 vs Tulsa

Springfield was unable to overcome Tulsa's five-run seventh inning, losing to the Drillers 6-5. Leading the Cards

offense, 1B Jon Rodriguez went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a pair of RBI, while LF Anthony Garcia hit a three-

run homer in the eighth. Chris Thomas (1-3) took the loss in relief after giving up five runs on four hits and a walk,

while recording just two outs in the seventh inning.

Thursday, June 25: L, 0-6 @ Arkansas

Springfield was unable to overcome a six-run first inning by Arkansas, recording just four base hits in a 6-0 loss to

the Travs. RF Jeremy Hazelbaker and 3B Patrick Wisdom led the Cards offense, each recording a double. Starter

Corey Baker (2-3) took the loss after giving up six runs on five hits and two walks in the first inning. Four

Springfield relievers combined to throw seven innings of shutout ball in relief of Baker.

Friday, June 26: Postponed due to rain @ Arkansas

Saturday, June 27 (Game 1): W, 8-3 @ Arkansas (7 innings)

Springfield defeated Arkansas 8-3 in game one of their doubleheader Saturday. Starter Thomas Lee (6-3) tossed six

strong innings in the win, his only blemish being a two-run homer in the fifth inning. Leading the Cards offense, CF

Charlie Tilson, DH Anthony Garcia, and 2B Bruce Caldwell each went 3-for-4, with Tilson smacking a home run

and driving in two.

Saturday, June 27 (Game 2): W, 6-1 @ Arkansas (7 innings)

Springfield swept Arkansas in their Saturday doubleheader after crusing to a 6-1 win in game two. LF Anthony

Garcia and 3B Patrick Wisdom led the Cards at the plate, each notching a pair of hits that included a home run.

Jimmy Reed (2-1) earned the win after allowing one run on three hits, while striking out seven over five innings.

Sunday, June 28: W, 6-4 @ Arkansas

Springfield launched three home runs en-route to a 6-4 win over Arkansas Sunday night. CF Charlie Tilson and C

Mike Ohlman both hit solo home runs, while SS Breyvic Valera’s two-run blast in the ninth was the difference in

the ballgame. Iden Nazario (1-3) earned the win in relief of starter Kyle Hald, striking out two in a scoreless seventh

inning. Closer Kyle Barraclough (S, 5) earned the save, allowing a run on a walk and hit batter in the ninth inning.

Tulsa Drillers

Los Angeles Dodgers Affiliate

This Week: 5-2; Overall Record: 34-41

3rd Place North Division

Monday, June 22: W, 4-3 @ Springfield

Starting pitcher Jose De Leon contributed both on the mound and at the plate, leading Tulsa to a 4-3 win over

Springfield. On the mound, De Leon (2-2) earned the win after allowing three runs on eight hits and three walks,

while striking out three over six innings. At the plate, the 22-year old recorded his first career hit, an RBI single in

the second inning. De Loeon drove in another run with a sacrifice bunt in the fourth. RF Yadir Drake also led the

Drillers at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles.

Tuesday, June 23: W, 10-2 @ Springfield

Tulsa broke a 2-2 tie in the eighth inning with a seven-run frame in the eighth inning that propelled the Drillers a 10-

2 win over Springfield Tuesday. The Drillers offense recorded 17 hits in the rout that included seven doubles. 3B

Jarek Cunningham led the attack, going 3-for-5 with a double and solo home run. Chris Reed (2-2) earned the win

in relief of starter Jeremy Kehrt after firing a perfect seventh inning. Kehrt, who struck out six over six frames,

allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits.

Wednesday, June 24: W, 6-5 @ Springfield

Tulsa used a five-run seventh inning to defeat Springfield 6-5 in their series finale Wednesday. LF Brian Burgamy,

3B Kyle Farmer, and 2B Adam Law all roped run-scoring doubles in the frame, driving in four of the Drillers five

runs. Starter Chris Anderson (7-4) earned the win after allowing two runs, one earned, on six hits and four walks

over six innings. Jeremy Horst (S, 7) picked up the save after allowing two hits in a scoreless ninth.

Thursday, June 25: W, 3-2 @ Northwest Arkansas

Tulsa used strong outings from Ross Stripling and Eric Stults in the Drillers 3-2 win over Northwest Arkansas.

Stripling (1-1) allowed just one run on one hit and two walks, while striking out four over five innings. Stults (S, 1)

struck out four in a four-inning save, while allowing one run on two hits. DH Shawn Zarraga, 2B Nate Samson, and

LF Jeremy Rathjen each went 2-for-4 to lead the Drillers offense, with Rathjen smacking a two-run homer in the

fifth inning.

Friday, June 26: W, 5-1 @ Northwest Arkansas

Tulsa defeated Northwest Arkansas 5-1 Friday night, stretching their winning streak to six games. Leading the

Drillers offense, 1B Lars Anderson and DH Shawn Zarraga each recorded three hits, while 3B Jarek Cunningham hit

a two-run homer in the fourth inning. Starter Jharel Cotton (1-0) earned the win after allowing just one run on six

hits over seven innings, while striking out four.

Saturday, June 27: L, 1-2 @ Northwest Arkansas (11 innings)

Tulsa dropped a 2-1 decision to Northwest Arkansas in 11 innings, ending the Drillers six-game winning streak. RF

Yadir Drake led the Drillers at the plate, going 4-for-5 in the loss. Reliever Ralston Cash (0-4) took the loss after

giving up a two-out, bases-loaded single to Naturals RF Lane Adams in the bottom of the 11th

inning.

Sunday, June 28: L, 1-12 @ Northwest Arkansas

Tulsa fell to Northwest Arkansas in their series finale Sunday in a lopsided 12-1 loss. The Naturals offense

managed just five hits in the game, with SS Ronald Torreyes recording a double and run scored. Starter Jeremy

Kehrt (4-6) took the loss after giving up seven runs on eight hits and three walks over three innings.

South Division Notes

6/22-28

Corpus Christi Hooks

Houston Astros Affiliate

This Week: 3-4; Overall Record 51-25

1st Place South Division

Monday, June 22: L, 3-4 vs San Antonio (14 innings)

Corpus Christi was stymied by San Antonio's bullpen, falling to the Missions 4-3 in 14 innings. The Hooks jumped

out to a 3-1 lead before four Missions relievers held Corpus Christi scoreless over the final nine innings. 3B Colin

Moran led the Hooks offense, going 2-for-5 with a double and RBI. Aaron West (3-4) took the loss in relief after

allowing a run on three hits and a walk, while striking out three over two innings.

Tuesday, June 23: L, 2-5 vs San Antonio

Corpus Christi fell for the third consecutive game to San Antonio, dropping a 5-2 contest to the Missions. C Brett

Booth drove in the lone Hooks runs of the game, smacking a two-run homer in the eighth inning. Starter Michael

Feliz (1-2) suffered the loss after giving up one run on four hits over five innings.

Wednesday, June 24: W, 8-3 vs San Antonio

Corpus Christi used a strong start from Joe Musgrove to defeat San Antonio 8-3 in the final game of their five-game

set. Musgrove (2-0), who earned the win, allowed just one run on seven hits and a walk, while striking out four over

seven frames. The Hooks offense tallied 16 hits in the win, led by CF Teoscar Hernandez, who was 3-for-3 and on

base five times in the win, while 1B Tyler White was 3-for-4. Each of the pair clubbed a homer as part of their day,

with White driving in three runs and Hernandez two.

Thursday, June 25: W, 3-1 vs Frisco

Corpus Christi held off Frisco in a 3-1 pitcher's duel Thursday night. Starter Brian Holmes (2-2) earned the win

after allowing one run on five hits and three walks, while striking out three over 5.1 innings. Relievers Aaron West,

Chris Cotton, and Jandel Gustave combined to hold the 'Riders hitless over the final 3.2 innings, with Gustave (S, 9)

picking up the save with a scoreless ninth. DH Jon Kemmer and 2B Chan Moon led the Hooks offense, each

recording a pair of hits.

Friday, June 26: L, 8-10 vs Frisco

Corpus Christi erased an early 6-0 Frisco lead, but allowed four runs in the top of the ninth, falling to the ‘Riders 10-

8. The Hooks offense scored their eight runs on just six base hits that was augmented by seven walks. CF Brett

Phillips' two-run triple in the fourth inning was the big hit for the Hooks. Reliever Travis Ballew (3-2) took the loss

in relief after entering the game with two on and one out in the top of the ninth, giving up the lead when we served

up a triple with the bases loaded.

Saturday, June 27: L, 1-2 vs Frisco

Corpus Christi was unable to take advantage of scoring opportunities in their 2-1 loss to Frisco, going 0-for-10 with

runners in scoring position on the night. 2B Chan Moon, who went 2-for-3, drove in the lone Hooks run of the game

on a solo home run in the seventh inning. Starter Adrian Houser (0-1) suffered the loss after giving up two runs on

eight hits, while striking out four over five innings. Meanwhile, Chris Devenski struck out six over four scoreless

innings, lowing his ERA to a miniscule 1.16.

Sunday, June 28: W, 7-2 vs Frisco

Corpus Christi picked up a 7-2 win over Frisco in their series finale Sunday, splitting their four-game set with the

RoughRiders. Leading the Hooks offense, SS Jio Mier went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer, while 3B Tyler White

added a 2-for-3 performance that included a home run and two RBI. Starter Josh Hader (3-3) earned the win after

allowing just two unearned runs on three hits, while striking out five over five innings.

Frisco RoughRiders

Texas Rangers Affiliate

This Week: 4-3; Overall Record 32-44

4th Place South Division

Monday, June 22: W, 5-4 vs Midland

An eighth-inning, two-run blast by C Patrick Cantwell gave Frisco a 5-4 win over Midland Monday. Cantwell's first

home run of the season erased a one-run deficit after the RockHounds took a 4-3 lead in the top of the eighth. CF

Nick Williams led the 'Riders offense, going 3-for-4 with two RBI. Andrew Faulkner (6-3) picked up the win in

relief after striking out seven over four innings, while giving up three runs on six hits and four walks. David

Martinez (S, 6) earned the save after tossing a perfect ninth inning. Starter Martin Perez made his first rehab start

with Frisco, over three innings allowing one run on two hits and a walk, while striking out four

Tuesday, June 23: W, 6-4 vs Midland

Frisco pushed across five runs in the fourth inning, then held on to defeat Midland 6-4. Leading the 'Riders attack,

DH Edwin Garcia and 1B Preston Beck each notched three hits, while LF Nomar Mazara hit his ninth home run of

the year. Lendy Castillo (1-0) picked up the win in relief of starter Jake Thompson after allowing one run on three

hits over 3.1 innings. Closer David Martinez (S, 7) earned his seventh save of the year, giving up one hit in a

scoreless ninth.

Wednesday, June 24: L, 9-10 vs Midland

Frisco was unable to complete a four-game sweep of Midland after losing the series finale 10-9. The 'Riders led 8-3

entering the seventh inning before allowing seven runs over the final three frames, capped by a solo home run in the

ninth by RockHounds LF Jaycob Brugman. Reliever Jesus Pirela (0-1) suffered the loss after tossing the final 1.2

innings, giving up the Brugman homer. C Patrick Cantwell drove in five runs for the 'Riders in the loss, four

coming on a grand slam in the third inning.

Thursday, June 25: L, 1-3 @ Corpus Christi

Frisco dropped their second in a row to Corpus Christi, losing to the Hooks 3-1 Thursday. DH Alex Burg drove in

the lone 'Riders run of the game in his Frisco debut, going 2-for-4 with a solo home run in the fourth inning. Starter

Chad Bell (2-8) suffered the loss after giving up three runs on six hits and three walks, while striking out five over

seven innings.

Friday, June 26: W, 10-8 @ Corpus Christi

Frisco exploded for four runs in the ninth inning, coming back to defeat Corpus Christi in a 10-8 slugfest. 2B Drew

Robinson was the hero for the ‘Riders after smacking a two-out, bases-loaded triple in the ninth, then scoring on a

throwing error on the play. Robinson went 4-for-4 with a home run and six RBI in the victory, the three-run blast in

the fifth inning his league-leading 15th

round-tripper of the year. Jefri Hernandez (1-0) picked up the win in relief

after tossing a scoreless eighth inning. David Martinez (S, 8) earned his eighth save of the year after striking out one

in a perfect ninth.

Saturday, June 27: W, 2-1 @ Corpus Christi

Frisco held on for a 2-1 win over Corpus Christi Saturday night. Starting pitcher Frank Lopez (3-1) fired five

shutout innings in the win, scattering six hits and two walks. David Martinez (S, 9) earned his ninth save of the year

in relief, striking out one in a perfect ninth. LF Nomar Mazara led the ‘Riders offense, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Sunday, June 28: L, 2-7 @ Corpus Christi

Frisco managed just four hits in a 7-2 loss to Corpus Christi Sunday, splitting their four-game series with the Hooks.

CF Ryan Cordell notched half of the ‘Riders base knocks, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Starting pitcher Andrew

Faulkner (6-4) took the loss after giving up seven runs on seven hits over five innings.

Midland RockHounds

Oakland Athletics Affiliate

This Week: 4-3; Overall Record: 39-37

2nd

Place South Division

Monday, June 22: L, 4-5 @ Frisco

Midland dropped their second straight one-run game to Frisco, a 5-4 loss Monday. Leading the 'Hounds offense, 2B

Colin Walsh led off the game with a home run, while LF Matt Angle gave Midland a 4-3 lead in the top of the

eighth inning with a two-run single. Ryan Doolittle (2-1) took the loss in relief of starter Jonathan Joseph after

giving up three runs, two earned, on four hits, while striking out four over three innings.

Tuesday, June 23: L, 4-6 @ Frisco

Midland dropped their third straight contest to Frisco, losing to the 'Riders 6-4 on Tuesday. DH Renato Nunez and

SS Chad Pinder led the Midland offense, each going 3-for-5 and combining for three RBI. Starter Chris Jensen (5-

6) suffered the loss after giving up five runs on 10 hits over five innings.

Wednesday, June 24: W, 10-9 @ Frisco

LF Jaycob Brugman's solo home run in the top of the ninth inning completed Midland's comeback from a five-run

deficit against Frisco, giving the RockHounds a 10-9 victory. Brugman, CF Chad Oberacker, and 2B Wade

Kirkland led the 'Hounds offense, all going 3-for-5 and combining for seven runs scored and five RBI. Tucker

Healy (3-1) earned the win in relief after striking out two over two perfect innings.

Thursday, June 25: W, 5-0 @ San Antonio

Starting pitcher Tim Atherton was nearly unhittable in eight innings of work, helping Midland blank San Antonio 5-

0. Atherton (5-3) struck out seven in his outing, allowing just two hits and two walks. Reliever Andres Avila

completed the shutout, giving up two hits while striking out two in the ninth. Leading the 'Hounds offense, 3B

Renato Nunez clubbed his 10th homer of the year, a two-run shot in the first, while RF Josh Whitaker and 1B Matt

Olson each recorded two base hits.

Friday, June 26: W, 6-2 @ San Antonio

After giving up base hits to the first three batters of the game, starting pitcher Jake Sanchez allowed just one more

baserunner over eight innings, leading Midland to a 6-2 victory over San Antonio. Sanchez (5-5) retired the final 15

batters he faced in the game, allowing two runs in the first inning, while striking out five in the win. Leading the

‘Hounds offense, SS Chad Pinder went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two RBI, while RF Josh Whitaker hit a

two-run home run in the fourth inning.

Saturday, June 27: W, 8-3 @ San Antonio

Midland used a five-run fourth inning to defeat San Antonio 8-3. Seven different ‘Hounds hitters recorded at least

one RBI, with 1B Renato Nunez leading the offense with a 3-for-5 performance. Starter Jonathan Joseph (4-3)

earned the win after allowing three runs on eight hits over five innings.

Sunday, June 28: L, 2-7 @ San Antonio

Midland was unable to complete a four-game sweep of San Antonio, losing to the Missions 7-2 in the series finale.

DH Josh Whitaker was the lone RockHounds hitter to record more than one hit in the game, going 2-for-4. Starter

Chris Jensen (5-7) took the loss after giving up seven runs on 11 hits over 6.1 innings.

San Antonio Missions

San Diego Padres Affiliate

This Week: 3-4; Overall Record: 33-43

3rd Place South Division

Monday, June 22: W, 4-3 @ Corpus Christi (14 innings)

DH Travis Jankowski's RBI single in the top of the 14th gave San Antonio a 4-3 win at Corpus Christi in the final

game of the first half. Leading the Missions offense, LF Yeison Asencio and C Griff Erickson each went 3-for-5,

while RF Hunter Renfroe hit a solo home run, his third in the past two games. Relievers Dennis O'Grady, Brandon

Alger, Michael Dimock, and Adam Cimber combined to hold the Hooks to two hits and a walk over nine shutout

innings in relief of starter Casey Kelly, with Cimber (3-2) earning the win.

Tuesday, June 23: W, 5-2 @ Corpus Christi

Starting pitcher Colin Rea pushed his scoreless innings streak to 15, helping San Antonio to win their third game in

a row, a 5-2 decision over Corpus Christi. Rea (2-2) was spectacular in his third consecutive outing since returning

from the disabled list, allowing just three hits and two walks over seven shutout innings. Tayron Guererro (S, 7)

picked up his seventh save of the year after striking out one in a perfect ninth. Leading the Missions offense, LF

Yeison Asencio went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI, while 2B Casey McElroy went 2-for-5 with a pair of

doubles and two RBI.

Wednesday, June 24: L, 3-8 @ Corpus Christi

San Antonio dropped the final game of their five-game series against Corpus Christi 8-3 Wednesday night. 1B

Duanel Jones led the Missions offense, going 3-for-4 with a double and two-run homer. Starting pitcher Bryan

Rodriguez (3-9) took the loss after giving up seven runs on 11 hits over four innings.

Thursday, June 25: L, 0-5 vs Midland

San Antonio was limited to just four hits against Midland Thursday, losing to the RockHounds 5-0. 1B Luis

Domoromo, who went 2-for-2 with a walk, was the only Missions hitter to record a base hit against Midland starter

Tim Atherton in his eight innings of work. Starting pitcher Elliot Morris (2-7) suffered the loss after giving up three

runs, two earned, on six hits and walk, while striking out six over six innings.

Friday, June 26: L, 2-6 vs Midland

After the first three San Antonio hitters recorded base hits to start the game, the Missions reached base just twice

more against Midland pitching in a 6-2 loss Friday night. CF Alberth Martinez drove in the only two Missions runs

in the loss, going 2-for-3 with two doubles. Starter Justin Hancock (6-4) suffered the loss after giving up four runs,

two earned, on four hits and three walks, while striking out seven over six innings. Cory Luebke tossed a perfect

seventh inning in his second rehab appearance with San Antonio.

Saturday, June 27: L, 3-8 vs Midland

San Antonio dropped their fourth game in a row, an 8-3 loss to Midland Saturday. Leading the Missions offense,

RF Hunter Renfroe went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, while DH Alberth Martinez also added a 2-for-4

performance. Starting pitcher Casey Kelly (1-5) took the loss after giving up five runs, four earned, on seven hits

over five innings.

Sunday, June 28: W, 7-2 @ San Antonio

San Antonio salvaged the final game of their four-game set against Midland, defeating the ‘Hounds 7-2. Starter

Colin Rea (3-2) struck out five over seven innings in the win, allowing two runs, one earned, on six hits. With his

outing, Rea enters the All-Star break with a Texas League-leading 1.08 ERA. 3B Casey McElroy, DH Hunter

Renfroe, and 2B Taylor Lindsey led the Missions at the plate, the trio combining to hit four doubles and drive in

five.

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