Well it was a weekend to remember in Round Rock. The Express took two of three from the I-Cubs but it was the loss on Saturday night that was most memorable. Friday, the Express rode Nick Gorneault’s grand slam to a 7-4 win. Sunday, they rode Ron Chiavacci’s solid start to a 4-1 win. But Saturday night was the big deal. The I-Cubs hit 8 home runs, 4 by the same player. That player also started a triple play that on replays appears to have been the result of a bad call. It was the second triple play the Express have hit into in less than 3 weeks.
Corpus Christi lost their 24th game by 1 run this season on Friday night. The salt in the wound was a stretch in the 6th where the Hooks had runners at all bases and the next three batters all fouled out to the first baseman.
“Bases loaded and nobody out — we have a chance to put it away, and we didn’t even hit the ball fair,” Pujols said with a tinge of disgust.
Saturday night, the Hooks got a solid outing from Bud Norris as they won 4-1.
“I just really got in a groove,” Norris said. “Working with Lou and (pitching coach Stan Boroski), you just want to get out there and pound the zone early. I felt pretty comfortable early.
“It was just pounding the zone and making them swing the bats. They’re a pretty good hitting team and you just want to attack the zone and let your defense (make plays).”
Sunday, the Hooks made it a winning weekend by taking a 7-3 victory over Springfield despite a shaky start from Casey Hudspeth.
The Cardinals got to him for a run in the first inning and in the opening two frames, Hudspeth issued five walks, including a free pass on four pitches to Springfield starter Kyle Mura.
“It was a complete debacle,” Hudspeth said. “I had no idea what was going on at that moment in time. Those were the worst two innings of my life. It was pretty frustrating, especially when you walk the other pitcher on four straight pitches.”
Hudspeth rallied to make it to the 5th inning and was the pitcher of record in the win. Mitch Einertson hit his second homer of the week. He has started August hot, hitting .379 through the first 8 games.
Salem went 0 for the weekend. Kinston killed Salem on Friday 12-1. Douglas Arguello had his worst outing of the year getting pulled with no one out in the second with the bases loaded. Saturday, Brian Hallberg walked the bases loaded in the 11th and Raymar Diaz walked the first batter he faced to give Kinston a walk off walk for the win. Sunday, the Avs lost 4-1.
Jordan Parraz was removed from Saturday’s game after going 0 for 2. It ended his streak of 38 straight games of reaching base, the longest in the minors this year.
Lexington also was winless this weekend. They lost Friday 4-3 on a 9th inning run for Asheville. Saturday, Brandon Barnes was gunned down at the plate representing the tying run for the final out of the game in a 2-1 loss. Sunday, the Legends were defeated 6-1.
Tri Cities won all three games they played this weekend. Friday, they jumped out early with back to back lead off homers by J. B. Shuck and Jeff Hulett. It was the first homer of the season for both of the recent draft picks. Saturday, the ValleyCats overcame 7 errors and won 7-5. Phil Disher hit his 11th homer of the season in the win. Sunday, the ValleyCats used a two run homer by J. B. Shuck to win 2-1.
Greeneville was shut out Friday night by the Johnson City Cardinals, 6-0. Saturday, the G-Stros found their hitting sticks and beat the Cards 7-2. Sunday, the Cards held on to win 4-3.