Texas League Newsletter

Vol. XXV, No. 1

04/6-04/16

Tim Purpura Named Next Texas League President Will succeed Tom Kayser in February

By Tulsa Drillers | September 5, 2016 10:46 PM ET The Texas League of Professional Baseball Clubs has announced that Tim Purpura will succeed Tom Kayser as league president.

Purpura, 56, brings 25 years of vast experience in executive sports management, including 14 (1994-2007) seasons with the Houston Astros. He was GM of the 2005 National League championship club and served in that capacity through 2007. Purpura spent eight seasons as assistant GM under Gerry Hunsicker, seven of those in the combined role of assistant GM and farm director.

A major contributor to six Astros playoff appearances (1997-98-99-2001-04-05) over nine seasons, Purpura began with Houston as assistant director of Minor League Operations in 1994.

He's worked as executive vice president and chief operating office of Minor League Baseball (2008-11), Texas Rangers senior director of player development (2011-13), and adjunct professor in SMU's Graduate School of Sports Management (2014-15). Since May of last year, he's been an Astros major league scout.

Purpura holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Loyola-Chicago and a Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego. His honors include Organization of the Year (Astros) for 2001 from USA Today Baseball Weekly, Baseball America, Sports Ticker, and Topps, plus Topps 2012 Organization of the Year (Rangers). Purpura began his baseball career as a spring training intern for the 1990 California Angels and later spent two seasons as assistant to the president of the Arizona Fall League.

"Tim is uniquely qualified to lead our league," Corpus Christi President Ken Schrom said. "If you look at his experience throughout the industry, especially the challenges and opportunities he's met down through the years, he may have the most comprehensive understanding of the relationship between Major League Baseball and the minor league game.

"He is extremely well-connected."

With 25 years of service to the league, Kayser is its longest-running president. He plans to assist Purpura with transition until February, 2017.

Before his election as TL president in February, 1992, Kayser had experience in Minor League Baseball as a team owner, GM, and business manager. He also worked for the Pirates and Reds in minor league operations and scouting. Kayser is a member of the Texas League Hall of Fame.

"Tom loves this league like no other. We'll all miss him," Schrom said. "I know I'll miss him personally. I worked for 16 years in El Paso with the Diablos and he was league president for all but five of them."

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20160905&content_id=199791584&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_t260

Kayser reflects on historic presidency After eventful 25 years, Texas League leader on cusp of retirement

By Benjamin Hill / MiLB.com | January 12, 2017 10:00 AM ET

At the end of February, Tom Kayser will conclude his 25-year run as president of the Texas League. It's been an eventful quarter century, to say the least.

"It's so completely different now, it really is," Kayser said from his San Antonio office on Tuesday afternoon. "It's like traveling by train and traveling in a supersonic jet. You can hardly compare it."

When Kayser assumed the presidency in 1992, most of the league's eight ballparks had been built in the 1960s or earlier. None are still in use within the league; the current oldest, San Antonio's Wolff Stadium, was built in 1994.

"We weren't exactly mom and pop, but we sure were small in terms of how we operated," he said. "And then you look at where we are today, where every one of our operations can be compared to the Major Leagues in anything but size.... And I still don't understand half of the stuff that goes on with the internet and social media. I don't think there's anybody from 1992 who could have predicted where we'd be in 25 years."

***

By the time he made it to the Texas League, Kayser was a baseball industry veteran. His first job was with the Eastern League's Berkshire Brewers in 1976, and he went from there to a general manager position with the Holyoke Millers (also in the Eastern League). In 1980, still shy of his 30th birthday, Kayser bought the Millers for $35,000.

"I only owned the team for two years but doubled my money, so I thought that was pretty good," he said. "Back then, you could draw 1,000 a night and make a nice living. But if you only draw 1,000 now, you're neck-deep in debt."

Over the next decade, Kayser lived a peripatetic existence as he undertook a wide variety of sports industry jobs. They included an assistant Minor League director position with the Pittsburgh Pirates, assistant scouting director with the Cincinnati Reds, director of baseball operations for the Pacific Coast League's Calgary Cannons, consulting for the Senior League Sun City Rays and general manager for the Rockford Lightning of the Continental Basketball Association.

"In my mind, the goal was to be a farm director and then, if I was lucky, a [Major League] general manager," Kayser said. "But then I heard [previous Texas League president] Carl Sawatski had died, so I called up my friend [Arkansas Travelers owner] Bill Valentine and asked if that was something I should be interested in."

Valentine's response was two words: "Hell, yes." Kayser applied for -- and got -- the job, thanks largely to connections he made with individuals who'd come to be involved with the Texas League.

"It was a lucky happenstance," he said. "Right place, right time."

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20170112&content_id=213307406&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb&sid=milb

Texas League preview: Five prospects to watch

Mendez, Urias among those hoping to dominate Double-A circuit

By MiLB.com Staff | April 4, 2017 10:00 AM ET

The Double-A Texas League opens Thursday, April 6, with a full four-game slate. The action gets underway on MiLB.TV at 7:25 p.m. ET as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Royals) host the San Antonio Missions (Padres).

Below are some of the biggest and brightest prospects expected to open the season in the Texas League:

Yohander Mendez, LHP, Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers)

Ranked directly behind top prospect Leody Taveras in the organization and on the Top 100 list, Mendez earned multiple promotions last year, starting the season at Class A Advanced High Desert and making each stop along the way to the big leagues, where he made two relief appearances. When he returns, the Rangers would rather see him in the rotation.

"Whether he goes to Triple-A, Double-A, we want to continue to develop him as a starter," Texas assistant director of player development Paul Kruger said. "We see that in his ability to command multiple pitches, with his plus changeup, with his fastball that will be low-to-mid-90s, at times.

"What we're looking forward to is really putting him in that starting role and really developing him. The cuffs are off now. He's gotten past those innings requirements. He's gotten past 'Hey, we're just making sure he's OK' to 'Let's go. Let's go eat. Let's go compete. Let's go do what we think he can do.' He's a bulldog on the mound that wants the ball, and he wants to get right after you, so we're excited for an actual, hopefully, a full season starting."

Ariel Jurado, RHP, Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers)

Staying with the Rangers, Jurado might have gotten more notice last year if he wasn't in the same system as Mendez. The duo started on the High Desert rotation together, and Jurado finished with eight Double-A games -- six starts -- after a July 25 promotion. Look for him among the Texas League pitching leaders for as long as he's there.

https://www.milb.com/texas/news/texas-league-season-preview-five-prospects-to-watch/c-221558306/t-209979198

M's Moore flirts with no-no in Travs debut Seattle's No. 5 prospect gives up one hit in six scoreless innings

By Gerard Gilberto / MiLB.com | April 7, 2017 12:14 AM ET

After making four appearances with the parent club in Spring Training, Andrew Moore put together an almost historic effort in his Texas League debut on Thursday night.

"It was fun. We had a good game plan going in," Moore said. "I got in a good rhythm and kind of took it from there."

Moore, the Mariners' No. 5 prospect, carried a no-hitter into the sixth and allowed one hit while striking out seven over six innings in the Travelers' 2-1 loss to visiting Corpus Christi.

"You kind of know those things are going on," Moore said of the no-hit bid. "Those pitchers that say they don't know definitely knew."

Garrett Stubbs broke through for the Hooks with two outs in the sixth, ending Moore's bid with a single up the middle. Moore won a 10-pitch battle with the next batter, Drew Ferguson, retiring him on a fly ball to center field to end the inning and, ultimately, his outing.

"I had to take a few deep breaths and recompose myself [after allowing the hit to Stubbs]," Moore said. "[Ferguson] was eating up pitches really good and we eventually got him to go after a good slider."

Moore's decision to attack Ferguson on a full count followed the game plan that the 2015 second-round pick out of Oregon State said he takes into most of his starts.

"It's the same thing we always really have: establish the fastball the first time through, then eventually work the off-speed stuff," Moore said. "I wanted to establish the inside fastball more and then, the second time through, work the off-speed."

Scouts had praised Moore's control after a 2016 season in which he issued 31 walks over 163 innings, but the 22-year-old right-hander showed some signs of rust on Opening Day, walking a pair and throwing a wild pitch. He still proved to be dominant as the runner that advanced on the wild pitch was the only Hook to make it past first base while Moore was on the mound.

Moore was named Jamie Moyer Pitcher of the Year by the Mariners after going 12-4 with a 2.65 ERA between Class A Advanced Bakersfield and Double-A Jackson. He's back at Double-A to start the season as Seattle shifted its affiliate to Arkansas and the Texas League.

https://www.milb.com/texas/news/seattle-mariners-prospect-andrew-moore-tosses-six-scoreless-innings-in-no-hit-bid-for-double-a-arkansas-travelers/c-222810130/t-209979198

Cardinals' Flaherty gets off to strong start No. 8 prospect fans six in 6 2/3 shutout innings for Springfield

By Kelsie Heneghan / MiLB.com | April 7, 2017 1:38 AM ET

After studying St. Louis' veteran staff at big league camp, Jack Flaherty did his best Adam Wainwright impression to start the season for Double-A Springfield.

The Cardinals' No. 8 prospect scattered three hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings, struck out six and walked one in a season-opening 9-3 win over Frisco on Thursday at Dr Pepper Ballpark.

"It was an unbelievable experience, just getting invited to it and being around those guys and being able to learn from them… Just talked to a bunch of different guys, like Wainwright, seeing how he went about things," the right-hander said. "Definitely just trying to carry over what I felt like I learned from them and being able to carry that over to how I go about my business and how I continue to work and try to get better."

Staked to a 4-0 lead before he stepped on the mound, Flaherty (1-0) faced the minimum through three innings, aided by a double play in the second.

"I definitely felt very locked in," he said. "[Second baseman] Bruce [Caldwell] started a really big double play. I just felt very good and very comfortable with all my pitches tonight. I felt like I was able to get ahead really well and just work on my fastball."

Flaherty worked around leadoff singles by Scott Heineman in the fourth and Juremi Profar in the sixth to continue shutting down the RoughRiders.

"I just tried to go out there and pitch my game and attack the zone, throw strikes, and I thought I did a pretty good job of that," the 21-year-old said. "And the defense played really well behind me, big double play, Nick Martini made a really nice play at the wall, guys just made really nice plays when I really needed it. And [Luis] Cruz called a very good game, he caught a very good game."

After two quick outs in the seventh, Flaherty issued a walk to Jose Trevino. Manager Johnny Rodriguez quickly came out to inform the 2014 first-round pick that his night was done.

"I wanted to stay in, but with the pitch limit I wasn't going to argue too much, first start of the year," the California native said. "I was more frustrated with myself for walking that guy, especially on four straight because I knew I was near my pitch count. The walk was very frustrating, but overall it was a good night, just looking to build off of it."

https://www.milb.com/texas/news/springfield-cardinals-jack-flaherty-sets-tone-with-strong-start/c-222791904/t-209979198

Povse puts up zeros in Travelers' debut Mariners' No. 6 prospect loses no-hit bid in sixth inning

By Alex Kraft / MiLB.com | April 7, 2017 9:48 PM ET

As first impressions go, Max Povse could not have done much better.

The Mariners' No. 6 prospect carried a no-hit bid into the sixth Friday before giving up two hits over seven scoreless innings in Double-A Arkansas 6-1 victory over Corpus Christi at Dickey-Stephens Park.

Making his first regular-season start in Seattle's organization after an offseason trade from Atlanta, the right-hander set down the first 12 batters before issuing a leadoff walk to Jon Singleton in the fifth. Povse (1-0) then retired the next five batters.

"I just tried to keep making pitches," he said. "My defense played unbelievable behind me tonight. I'll give a big shout-out to them."

One night earlier, Travelers righty Andrew Moore lost a chance at a no-hitter with two outs in the sixth. Like his teammate, the 18th out proved to be the most difficult for Povse as he surrendered a two-out single to No. 8 Astros prospect Ramon Laureano in the sixth.

The pair likely won't commiserate over their similar misfortunes.

"I don't think so," the 23-year-old Povse said with a laugh. "I was happy for him. He pitched unbelievably well. Just tried to match it. Over the season, I feel like we'll have a few more opportunities like that to carry it out a little bit longer.

"Just left a fastball up a little bit and [Laureano] put a good swing on it. I think we went fastball-breaking ball that just missed, and then went back to the fastball and he was on it. You got to tip the cap to him."

Povse retired Garrett Stubbs on a groundout to end the inning and struck out the side in the seventh to wrap up his Texas League debut.

Coming off a Spring Training in which he yielded only three hits over 10 scoreless frames in the Cactus League, Povse carried significant momentum into the first outing in his new organization.

"Anytime you can have success on a mound, you just have to take it and run with it," he said. "Pitching has ups and downs, but you just ride the high as long as you can. You always want to get off to a good start."

https://www.milb.com/texas/news/seattle-mariners-prospect-max-povse-posts-zeroes-in-season-debut-for-arkansas-travelers/c-222973862/t-209979198

Cards' Alcantara shines in Double-A debut No. 6 prospect tosses six scoreless innings for Springfield

By Alex Kraft / MiLB.com | April 7, 2017 10:41 PM ET

Going into Sandy Alcantara's first start for Double-A Springfield, it was obvious the right-hander was eager to take the mound.

"He looked loose," Cardinals pitching coach Jason Simontacchi said. "In his bullpen, he was pretty good. The last four or five pitches, he started getting into it and really let them go."

Frisco had no answer for Alacantara on Friday as St. Louis' sixth-ranked prospect scattered four hits and struck out four over six innings in the Cardinals' 7-0 win at Dr Pepper Ballpark.

Alcantara (1-0) threw only 85 pitches, 54 for strikes. The 21-year-old worked around baserunners in the second, third and fourth before retiring the final six batters he faced.

"He didn't work ahead too much, but if he was down 1-0 he would come back and get some strikes," Simontacchi said. "He didn't have very many deep counts. His fastball and his sinker were working pretty good tonight. He made pitches when he needed to."

Alcantara faced his most difficult jam in the second. Eric Aguilera led off with a double and No. 7 Rangers prospect Jose Trevino singled to put runners on the corners with no outs. Cardinals left fielder Blake Drake helped his starter escape when he doubled up Aguilera at home after a flyout by Luke Tendler. Alcantara struck out Royce Bolinger to end the inning.

"Anytime you get first and third with no outs and you get a double play like that, there's no question it pumps you up," Simontacchi said. "It's a confidence-builder when you make some pitches and your defense comes up and makes a play like that."

Alcantara has not lacked confidence in three years since St. Louis signed him out of the Dominican Republic. His demeanor was part of the reason the organization opted to move the 6-foot-4 hurler to Double-A after only six starts last season with Class A Advanced Palm Beach.

"I think it's just the fact that he loves to compete," Simontacchi said. "When he gets out there he's pretty serious, and his demeanor even in between innings -- whether he's doing good or bad -- he doesn't ride that emotional roller coaster. When you can control your emotions like that and not ride the emotional roller coaster, it allows you to go out there good or bad and just keep making pitches."

https://www.milb.com/texas/news/st-louis-cardinals-prospect-sandy-alcantara-shines-in-texas-league-debut/c-222991474/t-209979198

Frisco's Sadzeck seizes control in second start Rangers No. 11 prospect strikes out nine over five one-hit frames

By Sam Dykstra / MiLB.com | April 11, 2017 5:30 PM ET

By all accounts, including his own, Connor Sadzeck's Opening Day start was a disaster. The Frisco right-hander didn't retire a batter, walking four and allowing one hit, before being lifted after 30 pitches. He was charged with four earned runs, thus starting the season with the dreaded unlimited ERA.

On Tuesday he went back to his bread and butter: throwing hard. Zeros followed.

The Rangers' No. 11 prospect struck out nine and allowed only one hit without walking a batter over five scoreless innings in the RoughRiders' 4-1 loss to visiting Tulsa.

"Those first few days after that first start were tough, especially when it comes on Opening Day, because that's when you want to set the tone for the season," Sadzeck said. "But then you only get a couple more days before you have to get back into it. I was happy to get through five, and my mind-set was different this time. I was focusing on throwing strikes maybe a little too much, and my velocity wasn't there. Today was all about driving through the catcher again."

It didn't take long for the 25-year-old to see results. He struck out the first batter he faced and retired nine straight to begin the matinee. Flashes of his Opening Day control issues returned in the fourth, however, when Sadzeck plunked Tim Locastro and Jose Miguel Fernandez -- both on first pitches -- to begin the frame. The situation worsened when a fielding error by center fielder Jose Cardona allowed Locastro to score and put two runners in scoring position, still with no outs.

Instead of reverting to the form of his previous start, Sadzeck settled down and struck out Edwin Rios and Johan Mieses -- both swinging -- before getting Paul Hoenecke to ground out to second to end the threat.

"I've been in situations like that before, unfortunately," he said. "It's either going to get out of hand quick or you can handle it. There are guys at second and third, and I want to keep them there, so I have to drive the ball through the zone. [Catcher Jose Trevino] is really good at being a leader there and helping me stay in the moment."

Tulsa's only hit off Sadzeck came in the fifth on a single up the middle by Matt Beaty. He exited after throwing 85 pitches, 59 of which were strikes. His nine K's marked the fourth time in 34 career Double-A appearances he had punched out at least that many batters.

https://www.milb.com/texas/news/texas-rangers-prospect-connor-sadzeck-seizes-control-in-second-start-with-double-a-frisco-roughriders/c-223663266/t-209979198

Missions accomplish Wellman's 1,000th win Bousfield's walk-off single in 14th gives skipper milestone victory

By Michael Leboff / MiLB.com | April 14, 2017 1:06 AM ET

Just as they were when he was a bright-eyed Little Leaguer in Texas, Phillip Wellman's two biggest fans were in attendance Thursday to witness him win his 1,000th game as a Minor League manager.

"The people that this means the most to just happened to be in the stands, and that's my parents, James and Janie Wellman," Wellman said. "They're 73 and 76 years old and I'm really grateful that they were in the stands to see it. I'm not trying to downplay it. This is a nice milestone, but it probably means way more to my mom and dad than it does to me."

It was fitting that it was a decision by Wellman that led to the game-winning hit. In the ninth inning, the Missions manager sent in Auston Bousfield as a defensive replacement in center field. Five innings later, Bousfield poked an infield single with the bases loaded to hand Wellman his milestone victory.

"I would never accuse myself of being a genius," Wellman laughed. "It just happened to be the luck of the draw. He had a very good at-bat. I'm just happy that it happened then because we were out of pitchers. It couldn't have happened to a better young man."

Prior to joining San Diego in 2016, Wellman managed in the Orioles, Reds, Braves and Angels organizations. Joining San Antonio was a welcome move for the 55-year-old, who spent the previous year away from baseball.

"It wasn't my choice to be out of the game," said Wellman, who also spent four years as a player in the Minors. "For me, that was an eye-opening experience and changed my life in a lot of ways. It made me that much more grateful for the opportunities I've had. Having 1,000 wins as a manager, the true honor in that is the blessings I've been bestowed and the opportunities I've been granted. For that, I'm grateful."

The skipper is a fan favorite for his unique way of expressing himself when a call doesn't go his way on the field.

"I'm getting too old for that kind of stuff," Wellman chortled. "I'll be 56 soon and the game has changed over the years. That stuff was a lot more prevalent 10 or 15 years ago and is not looked at the same way as it used to be. Even in the Major Leagues, it's been taken out with the instant replay. We don't have that yet, so every once in a while we need to go argue, but I don't foresee that happening again."

https://www.milb.com/texas/news/san-antonio-missions-manager-phillip-wellman-notches-1000th-win/c-224211676/t-209979198

Missions' De Los Santos perfect for six innings Padres No. 17 prospect strikes out seven in combined one-hitter

By Michael Peng / MiLB.com | April 14, 2017 7:35 PM ET

The only thing that stood between Enyel De Los Santos and another chance at making history on Friday night was an innings limit.

After taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning of his Double-A debut last Saturday against Northwest Arkansas, the Padres No. 17 prospect threw six perfect innings with seven strikeouts in a combined one-hitter for San Antonio as beat the Naturals 2-0 at Nelson Wolff Stadium.

"That was the fifth time we've faced this team in nine days and we were just talking about his last outing and how he attacked hitters and just sticking with that," Missions pitching coach Jimmy Jones said. "He was being aggressive down in the strike zone and elevated when he needed to. He just stuck with that game plan of what was successful last game and ran with it."

Featuring a fastball in the mid-90s and what Jones called a good mixture of off-speed pitches, De Los Santos struck out five in a row in the third and fourth.

"He has great stuff, first of all," Jones said. "But secondly, one of his assets is him just going out there and going, 'This is what I'm going to do and this is how I'm going to do it.' He makes it kind of simple and it's been fun to watch him.

"Nothing really rattles him and I haven't seen him in tough situations either. He's like an iceberg. Nothing fazes him. He just continues to do what he's supposed to do out there."

After throwing just 66 pitches, the right-hander was lifted in the seventh for T.J. Weir.

"First two or three starts, [De Los Santos is] not supposed to go over six innings," Jones said. "So once he got to that innings limit, he was done. But he was very efficient with everything. With all the [potential] injuries and stuff, that was a good plan of attack with him. It didn't matter what he wanted, that's what he was going to go and he was fine with it. He's a professional."

De Los Santos is in his third professional season after signing with Seattle in July 2014. The native of the Dominican Republic was acquired by San Diego in a November 2015 trade that involved Joaquin Benoit. The right-hander posted an 8-5 record with a 3.72 ERA in 22 starts with Class A Fort Wayne and Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore last year.

https://www.milb.com/texas/news/san-diego-padres-no-17-prospect-enyel-de-los-santos-throws-six-perfect-innings-for-double-a-san-antonio/c-224343766/t-209979198

Jesse Derrick: A Texas League Milestone By Kris Rutherford

Texas League Historian

During the history of the Texas League, nearly 200 pitchers (or combinations of pitchers) have thrown no-hit ballgames of nine innings or more. For a league in existence since 1888, the statistic may not sound all that impressive; after all, in the same time frame, Major League Baseball has seen 272 no- hitters. Then again, when considering the fact that the Texas League has, for the most part, been an eight-team circuit throughout its existence, an average of 1.5 no-hit games per season means one of two things: the League has seen its share of great pitching or its share of lousy hitting. Regardless, the long list of no-hitters in the Texas League got started in 1889, the second season professional baseball existed in Texas.

The distinction of throwing the first no-hitter in the oldest continuous minor league in baseball history is owned by Jesse Thomas Derrick, who on June 24, 1889, led his Waco Babies to a 3-0 win over the Austin Senators. In fact, for the 26-year old playing in his first full professional season, Derrick’s pitching performance that afternoon turned out to be the highlight of his career.

Jess Derrick was born February 10, 1863, the second child of Albert Derrick and Miriam Cohee Derrick in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. His father had enlisted in the Union Army the previous July, serving in the 72nd Indiana Infantry. In January of 1863, however, Albert Derrick was wounded in action at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and received his discharge. He was home in time to see Jess born but died just two days later. Jess’ 21-year old mother was left to raise two sons, Jess and his 2-year old brother, Albert. The Derrick boys’ early lives were filled with tragedy, as their mother passed away in the fall of 1865.

While Jess and Albert had been orphaned before either turned five-years-old, the Derrick-Cohee family was large, and most lived in Indiana. Although the boys became separated, Jess grew up in the home of his uncle and aunt, Joseph and Rebecca Switzer, while Albert was sent to live with other relatives. By the time he reached seventeen, though, Jess had set out on his own, living and working on a farm in Jackson, Indiana. In 1885, he worked as a mechanic in Wellington, Kansas. That same year, Jess married Elizabeth Scott, a Kansas schoolteacher also from Indiana. Albert, on the other hand, became a bit of an adventurer and staked his claim in the Indian Territory of Oklahoma during the 1893 land run.

Exactly how Jess Derrick became involved in baseball is unclear. No records of him playing prior to 1888 exist, but it’s likely he played at the amateur or semi-pro level for a number of years. In any event, in 1888 Derrick traveled south to join the Fort Worth franchise of the newly-formed Texas League of Professional Baseball Clubs. Records show Derrick appeared in just one game with the Panthers, but the following season he signed with Waco, a new entrant into the league. As a whole, Jess Derrick had a dismal season, pitching 37 games and finishing the year with a 13-24 won-loss record. He was equally ineffective as a batter, posting a .181 batting average. But the Babies as a whole didn’t offer the rest of the league much competition, finishing finished in last place with a 33-50 record. The sole bright spot for Waco was pitcher Edgar McNabb, who somehow managed to win 20 games for a team that batted just .222 on the season. Perhaps his league-leading 261 strikeouts and a 1.53 earned run average helped his cause.

Waco’s initial year in the Texas League was forgettable, as was Jess Derrick’s. But for one hot afternoon on June 24, everything fell into place, and Derrick permanently placed his name in the league record books.

While the Waco Babies brought up the tail-end of the 1889 Texas League, on June 24, they played host to the Austin Senators. The Senators, on their way to a third-place finish on the season, were led by Texas League Hall of Famer Mike O’Connor and 25 game-winner George Kittle. The previous week, the Senators had dominated Waco in Austin, and with the Babies having fallen from contention, the expectations for the series in Waco were no different. In fact, rather than sending Kittle to the pitcher’s circle, Austin started John Bates. Though not nearly as powerful as George Kittle, Bates could be expected to hold the light-hitting Waco club in check after several days of rest. Likewise, with Jess Derrick pitching for the opposition, Austin manager Mike O’Connor probably assumed an easy tally in the win column. What he didn’t expect was that Derrick would pitch the finest game in the Texas League’s short history on an afternoon when the temperature in Waco reached 96 degrees.

Based on the Galveston Daily News’ account of the game, it’s a wonder O’Connor’s expectations didn’t come true. Reportedly, the umpire favored Austin throughout the game to the point that Waco spectators called for his removal in unison. In the seventh inning, the crowd had become so hostile that the umpire singled out a seven-year-old and ordered him removed from the grounds or he’d declare Austin a victor by forfeit. Despite his threats, the boy remained and Austin did not receive an unearned win.

For Jess Derrick’s part, however poor the umpiring may have been, nothing was going to overcome his pitching performance. He struck out ten Austin batters on the afternoon or in the words of the Galveston News, “The Austin batters failed to find the ball except in a few instances when they were thrown out at first.” Aside from three walks and a reportedly mean beaning of Austin third baseman William Mussey, Jess Derrick was perfect on the afternoon and did not yield a single base hit to Senators’ batters. While, as usual, the Waco offense didn’t lend much support, left fielder C.A. O’Neil’s three hits along with four Austin fielding errors provided just enough firepower to help Derrick to a 3-0 win. Perhaps not realizing the significance of Jess Derrick’s achievement, newspapers paid little attention. The Galveston News noted that Derrick “pitched a fine game.” Another Texas Leaguer would not pitch such a fine game until 1902.

Despite Derrick’s mediocre season with Waco, the Burlington Daily Gazette (Iowa), referred to him as the “crack pitcher of the Texas state league” when lauding the Evansville franchise signing him for the 1890 season. In reality, he never played for Evansville, as in 1890 Derrick returned to Waco and posted a 6-4 record before playing one game with Galesburg/Indianapolis in the Central Interstate League. Over the next several seasons, Derrick played sporadically in the Midwest, turning up in Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Missouri, and his home state of Indiana. Perhaps his 1895 stint with the Kalamazoo Celery Eaters left a lasting impression, as after his retirement from baseball in 1898, he relocated from his offseason home in Kansas and soon settled in Michigan with his wife Elizabeth and two children.

Following his baseball career, Jess Derrick entered the construction business, serving as a wrecking/construction superintendent in Detroit until 1930 before he became involved in fire equipment sales. Following the death of his wife in 1935, he returned to construction, working beyond his beyond

his 80th birthday. Ultimately, Jesse Thompson Derrick died on November 6, 1951, at the age of 88. He is buried alongside his wife Elizabeth in Clark’s Hill Cemetery in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.

Since Jess Derrick’s no-hitter on June 24, 1889, many other Texas League pitchers have accomplished the same feat. Lamar County’s Rick Adams through one in 1905, and in 1910 Roxton’s own Bill Lattimore tossed a no-hitter for Fort Worth. Most impressively, however, Blossom native Dode Criss threw three no-hitters in an eleven month stretch in 1914-1915. Five no-hitters from pitcher’s hailing from a small, rural northeast Texas county is likely a record in itself.

The last no-hit game pitched in the Texas League was on May 17, 2016, when Arkansas’ Jordan Kipper added his name to the record books in a 6-0 victory over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Though the feat is not achieved nearly as often as it was during the first three decades of the 20th century, place your money on a new pitcher being listed beside Jess Derrick in the upcoming season.

Kris Rutherford has been writing articles about the early history of the Texas League for the TL Newsletter since 2015 and is the author of three books on Texas League History: Baseball on the Prairie: How Seven Small-Town Teams Shaped Texas League History; The Galveston Buccaneers: Shearn Moody and the 1934 Texas League Championship; and Homeseekers, Parasites, and the Texas Midland: The Texas League in Paris, 1896-1904. Visit his website at www.krisrutherford.com.

Player of the Week, 4/6-4/16

C Tyler Marlette, Arkansas Travelers

.462 BA, 12 H, 3 2B, 3B, 8 RBI, 2 BB, .500 OBP, .654 SLG, 1.154 OPS

Pitcher of the Week, 4/6-4/16

Enyel De Los Santos, San Antonio Missions

1 W, 2 GS, 0.75 ERA, 12 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 13 SO, 2 BB, 0.33 WHIP, .053 AVG

TEXAS LEAGUE STANDINGS THROUGH 4/16/2017

FIRST HALF STANDINGS

Texas League North

W L PCT GB Home Away Div Streak Last10

Tulsa Drillers 5 4 .556 - 2-1 3-3 0-0 W2 5-4

Springfield Cardinals 5 5 .500 0.5 1-3 4-2 0-0 L1 5-5

Arkansas Travelers 4 6 .400 1.5 2-4 2-2 0-0 W1 4-6

NW Arkansas Naturals 3 7 .300 2.5 2-4 1-3 0-0 L1 3-7

Texas League South

W L PCT GB Home Away Div Streak Last10

Corpus Christi Hooks 7 3 .700 - 3-1 4-2 0-0 W3 7-3

San Antonio Missions 6 4 .600 1.0 2-2 4-2 0-0 L2 6-3

Midland RockHounds 5 5 .500 2.0 3-3 2-2 0-0 W1 4-5

Frisco RoughRiders 4 5 .444 2.5 2-4 2-1 0-0 L1 4-5

NORTH DIVISION NOTES 4/6-4/16

Arkansas Travelers

Seattle Mariners Affiliate This Week: 4-6; Overall Record: 4-6

3rd Place North Division Thursday, April 6 (Game 1): L, 2-1 vs. Corpus Christi The new look Arkansas Travelers (0-1) struggled at the plate with men on base as they fell to the Corpus Christi Hooks (1-0) Thursday night in the Travs’ home and season opener. Travs starting pitcher RHP Andrew Moore (Mariners’ #4 prospect according to MLB.com) had a stellar night, going six innings,

striking out seven, surrendering one hit, and giving up just two free passes; but he walked away with a no decision. The Travs offense started off hot by scoring on a RF Kyle Waldrop single after CF Ian Miller led off the inning with a triple, but that, however, would be the extent of the Travs’ scoring. Despite tallying eleven hits in total throughout the game, they would not cross the plate again, leaving eight men on base. Corpus Christi broke through in the top of the eighth on a LF Drew Ferguson two-run single off Travs relief pitcher LHP Zac Curtis, who came into relieve RHP Blake Perry (L, 0-1) who would take the loss. It was the first game for the Travelers as the Seattle Mariners’ AA affiliate. Friday, April 7 (Game 2): W, 6-1 vs. Corpus Christi The Travelers (1-1) were able to even the series vs the Corpus Christi Hooks (1-1) behind another outstanding pitching performance, this time by the Mariners’ #5 prospect according to MLB.com, RHP Max Povse (W,1-0). Acquired in an offseason trade with the Atlanta Braves, Povse and his impressive 6’8” frame worked an efficient seven shutout innings of two hit ball as he threw only 82 pitches while walking just one. Unlike his rotation mate, Povse was backed by plenty of offensive support, as the Travs scored one in the first inning and then three more in the third on a bases clearing three run triple by C Tyler Marlette. Corpus Christi’s starter LHP Kent Emanuel (L, 0-1) lasted only four innings, giving up four earned runs on six hits and one walk. The Travs would score twice more in the game, once in the sixth and one more time in the eighth. Corpus Christi’s SS Mott Hyde drove in their only run with a single in the eighth. Saturday, April 8 (Game 3): L, 6-1 vs. Corpus Christi The Travs (1-2) continued their trend of scoring early as they manufactured a run with a walk, a single, a stolen base, and sacrifice fly in the first inning, but that would be all the scoring they would do against RHP Dean Deetz (W, 1-0) Saturday night as they dropped the season opening series to the Corpus Christi Hooks (2-1). The Hooks erased the Travs’ lead almost immediately on a two out RBI single by DH Trent Woodward. Travs starter RHP Tyler Herb (L, 0-1) limited the Hooks offensive attack for the first four innings, but they broke through in the fifth scoring three runs on three hits and a walk. The Hooks added two more in the eighth to come to the final margin of 6-1. 2B Jay Baum went 2-4 and has now opened the season with three straight multi-hit games. Sunday, April 9 (Game 1): W, 8-2 vs. San Antonio The Travs (2-2) did not score as early as they have become accustomed to lately, but they scored more often as they scored a season high eight runs on a season high twelve hits to beat the Sant Antonio Missions (2-2) in the first of three games. San Antonio jumped to an early lead on a first inning two-run home run by 2B Noah Perio, but that would be all that Travs starter LHP Kyle Hunter and RHP Brett Ash (W, 1-0) would surrender as they combined to retire 27 of the last 33 hitters they faced. The Travs tied it in the third on a two-run double by 1B Ryan Casteel and then took the lead during a three-run sixth inning. The Travs then put the game securely in hand in the seventh as they scored three more, including RBI double by C Tyler Marlette who went 2-3 on the night. San Antonio relief pitcher RHP Justin Hancock (L, 0-1) took the loss after be responsible for the three-run sixth inning. Monday, April 10: Postponed Due to Rain

Tuesday, April 11 (Game 2): L, 5-1 vs. San Antonio The Travs (2-3) lost the first game of their doubleheader with the San Antonio Missions (3-2) by a score of 5-1 after a rainout on Monday night. The Travs offense was limited to only four hits by the San Antonio pitching duo of RHP Kyle Lloyd (W, 2-0) and LHP Kyle McGrath as they combined to go seven innings while surrendering only one unearned run, striking out seven, and walking only two batters. The Travs lone score came after 3B Jay Baum reached on an error and scored on a RF Kyle Waldrop RBI double. Travs starter RHP Lindsey Caughel (L 0-1) took the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits and a walk in 5.1 innings. Tuesday, April 11 (Game 3): L, 6-3 vs San Antonio The Travs (2-4) lost to the San Antonio Missions (4-2) 6-3 in game two of their twin-billing Tuesday after a rainout the previous night. Travs starter RHP Andrew Moore just cannot seem to get enough run support in the early going this season as he took his second consecutive no-decision after going six scoreless innings, allowing only two hits while striking out five and walking one. San Antonio would erase a Travs two-run lead and build one of their own in the seventh. A two-out grand slam by top prospect SS Luis Urias gave the Missions a four-run lead, and it would be one that hold as the Travs only managed one run in the home half of the seventh to end the game. Wednesday, April 12: OFF Thursday, April 13 (Game 1): W, 9-0 @ Corpus Christi Seattle top prospect RHP Max Povse (W, 2-0) continued his hot start to the season as his pitching performance led the Travs (3-4) to victory over the Corpus Christi Hooks (3-3) to ruin their home opener. Povse went 5.2 scoreless innings while surrendering three hits, walking three, and striking out six to earn the win. The Travs scored a run in five of the first seven frames, including five in the first two, to give their pitching staff all the run support they would need as they shut out the Hooks. All nine Travs batters had at least one hit as they erupted for a season high eighteen hits against the Hooks. Travs C Tyler Marlette led the way offensively, going three-for-five with four RBI. RF Kyle Waldrop and 1B Ryan Casteel also had three hits on the night. Corpus RHP Trent Thornton got the loss after giving up six runs on ten hits in three innings while only striking out two. Friday, April 14 (Game 2): L, 5-4 @ Corpus Christi A bases-loaded hit batsman was the difference Friday night as the Travs (3-5) dropped the second game of their series with the Corpus Christi Hooks (5-3) by a score of 5-4. Travs starter RHP Tyler Herb was in line to get the win after allowing only two runs (both of which came in the first) on four hits and three walks while striking out ten in six innings, but the late-inning rally by the Hooks erased that performance. After the two-run first inning given up by Herb, the Travs immediately stormed back with four runs of their own; two of which came from RBI hits of the bats of 2B Brock Hebert and CF Ian Miller. The Hooks tied the game with two runs in the eighth before the bases loaded hit batsman by RHP Peter Tago (L, 0-1) forced in the go ahead run. Corpus RHP Dean Deetz (W, 2-0) was the profiteer of that hit batsman as he would away with the win after 3.2 innings of scoreless relief, while reliever RHP J.C. Thompson earned the save after coming in to record the last out of the game.

Saturday, April 15 (Game 3): L, 5-0 @ Corpus Christi The Travs (3-6) bats were silenced as they dropped game three of their road series with the Corpus Christi Hooks (6-3). Corpus pitchers RHP Rogelio Armenteros (W, 1-0) and RHP Joshua James (S, 1) only gave up three hits as they combined to pitch nine scoreless innings to shutout the Travs Saturday night. Travs starter RHP Brett Ash (L, 1-1) allowed a three-run home run by CF Roman Laureano in the third inning to give the Hooks all the runs they would need, but they would add on two more with runs in the fifth and seventh innings. C Tyler Marlette accounted for two of the Travs three hits on the night as he continued his hot start to the season, he is now hitting .462 on the year. Sunday, April 16 (Game 1): W, 4-1 @ San Antonio The Travs (4-6) opened their road series with the San Antonio Missions (6-4) with 4-1 win on Easter Sunday. RHP Lindsey Caughel (W, 1-1) pitched six, strong scoreless innings to lead the Travs to victory. The Travs took advantage of command issues by San Antonio starter RHP Kyle Lloyd (L, 1-1) to score three runs in the fourth off four walks, an RBI double by 1B Ryan Casteel, and two RBI groundouts. That provided all the run support that the Travs pitching staff would need as they let only one unearned run cross the plate in route to their victory.

Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Kansas City Royals Affiliate This Week: 3-7; Overall Record: 3-7

4th Place North Division

Thursday, April 6 (Game 1): L, 4-0 vs. San Antonio The Northwest Arkansas Naturals (0-1) received an outstanding start from 22 year old RHP Zach Lovvorn (L, 0-1) but did not back up his performance with runs as they fell to the San Antonio Missions (1-0) 4-0 in their home and season opener. Lovvorn struck out eight and walked none in a six inning effort, but gave up a solo home run by 2B Luis Urias in the fourth that his team could not overcome. The Naturals’ bats were held in check by the San Antonio’s starting pitcher RHP Kyle Lloyd (W, 1-0) and relievers LHP Kyle McGrath and RHP Eric Yardley, only managing three hits on the night. The Missions added three more runs in the top of the eighth to decisively settle the outcome of the game. Friday, April 7 (Game 2): W, 6-4 vs. San Antonio The Naturals (1-1) won a back and forth affair against the San Antonio Missions (1-1) Friday night on a towering, late inning home run by DH Frank Schwindel. Schwindel led the Naturals’ offensive effort by going 3-4 with a home run, a double, and four RBI in the game. San Antonio started the scoring in the first inning on a RBI double by RF Franmil Reyes, but the Naturals would quickly erase the deficit with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning. The teams then traded runs for the next few innings until the score was 4-3 San Antonio heading into the bottom of the sixth, it was then that Schwindel hit

his game-deciding three-run home run after RF Alfredo Excalera and 1B Samir Duenez led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Naturals LHP Matt Tenuta (W, 1-0) would pick up the win in relief, while RHP Jake Newberry (S, 1) would get the save after throwing a perfect ninth inning. Saturday, April 8 (Game 3): L, 5-3 vs. San Antonio The Naturals (1-2) staged a late inning comeback only to lose the game and the series to the San Antonio Missions (2-1) in the ninth inning Saturday night. The game featured a pitcher’s duel between two MLB.com top 30 prospects for their respective organizations in Naturals starter RHP Kyle Zimmer and San Antonio starter RHP Enyel De Los Santos. Zimmer went four innings, striking out six and giving up only one run on six hits; while De Los Santos went six strong innings and surrendering only one run as well. With the score 2-1 in favor of San Antonio, Naturals CF Donnie Dewees, Jr. evened the score with solo home run in the eighth. In the ninth, however, San Antonio took a commanding three-run lead on a bases clearing three-run double by CF Alberth Martinez. The Naturals added a run in the ninth to make it 5-3 before succumbing to RHP Charles Nading (S, 1) who picked up the save for San Antonio. Sunday, April 9 (Game 1): L, 7-3 vs. Corpus Christi A five-run eighth inning doomed the Naturals (1-3) in their series opener against the Corpus Christi Hooks (3-1) Sunday afternoon. Two excellent pitching performances by each opposing pitcher went unrewarded. Naturals starting pitcher RHP Christian Binford went a solid six innings while only surrendering two runs on seven hits, and Hooks starting pitcher RHP Rogelio Armenteros went 5.2 innings allowing two runs, only one earned, on one hit while striking out a ten. Both pitchers got a no decision, but Armenteros’ team eventually got the win. The score was tied 2-2 going into the eighth, it was then the Hooks broke the tie on back-to-back double by C Garrett Stubbs and 3B J.D. Davis to make it 3-2. The Hooks, however, did not stop there as they continued to add four more runs in the inning to put the game squarely out of reach. The Naturals would score one in the bottom half of the inning but they’d fall by a final score of 7-3. Monday, April 10 (Game 2): L, 3-2 vs. Corpus Christi Despite a strong performance by their pitching staff, the Naturals (1-4) dropped game two of their series with the Corpus Christi Hooks (4-1) Monday night. Naturals starting pitcher RHP Corey Ray (L, 0-1) pitched five innings giving up three runs, two earned, on three hits while striking out two, but he would take the loss. Most of the damage came in a two-run first inning, which included a solo home run by Hooks 3B Jack Mayfield. The Naturals tied it up in the second off of an RBI double and single by LF Ruben Sosa and C Parker Morin respectively. The Naturals outhit the Hooks on the night but were unable to push anymore runs across the plate. The Hooks took advantage of some sloppy defense in the fifth to score the go ahead run to make it the final score of 3-2. Hooks RHP Josh James (W, 1-0) picked up the win by going four scoreless innings in relief. Tuesday, April 11 (Game 3): W, 12-3 vs. Corpus Christi The Naturals (2-4) bats finally came to life Tuesday night as they took the series finale against the Corpus Christi Hooks (4-2) by a score of 12-3. RF Logan Moon got the scoring started with three-run home run in the second inning to give the Naturals an early lead. The Naturals offense would not stop there, however, as they would knock in four more runs in the inning to make it a 7-0 game. Corpus would score one in the top half of the third, but the Naturals would get the run back and more with back-to-back RBI

singles from 2B Ruben Sosa and CF Donnie Dewees, Jr.. The Naturals scored twice more in the fifth and once in the seventh to get to their final total of twelve on the night. Naturals starter RHP Zach Lovvorn (W, 1-1), who was the victim of little run support in the season opener, had more than enough on this night. Lovvorn threw six, strong innings on his way to earning the win as he allowed only one run on two hits and two walks while striking out eight. Corpus RHP Cy Sneed (L, 1-1) walked away with the loss after the rough start. Wednesday, April 12: OFF Thursday, April 13 (Game 1): L, 5-4 @ San Antonio The Naturals (2-5) lost a late night, extra-innings affair in their first road game of the season as they dropped the first game of their series with the San Antonio Missions (5-2). The Naturals struck first as they scored twice in the first. 1B Samir Duenez hit an RBI triple and then came around to score on a DH Frank Schwindel single to give the Naturals a 2-0 lead. It was a lead that didn’t last long, as the Missions came right back in the home half of the inning to tie the game at two. The Missions then took the lead in the fourth off of a two-run home run by RF Nick Schulz. The two runs the Naturals scored in the top of the seventh would be the last runs scored until the bottom of the fourteenth when CF Auston Bousfield hit a walk-off single off of LHP Luis Rico (L, 0-1). Reliever RHP Trey Wingenter (W, 1-0) got the win after pitching a scoreless top of the fourteenth. Friday, April 14 (Game 2): L, 2-0 @ San Antonio The Naturals (2-6) managed to avoid being the victim of a perfect game Friday night, but they were unable to come away with much else as they dropped game two of their series with the San Antonio Missions (6-2). Two runs off a 2B Noah Perio sixth inning solo home run and an RBI double by SS Luis Urias in the eighth were all the Missions needed as they came two outs away from throwing a combined perfect game. San Antonio starter RHP Enyel De Los Santos threw six perfect innings before giving way to RHP T.J. Weir, who followed suit by throwing two perfect innings himself. An infield single by 2B Ruben Sosa broke up the perfect game bid, but that was all the Naturals could muster as RHP Eric Yardley closed out the game without any further damage. Saturday, April 15 (Game 3): W, 2-1 @ San Antonio The Naturals (3-6) bounced back from nearly being the casualty of a perfect game the night before to beat the San Antonio Missions (6-3) on Saturday. RHP Christian Binford (W, 1-0) allowed one run on three hits while striking out four in six innings to lead the way for the Naturals as they avoided the sweep. 1B Frank Schwindel got the scoring started with a RBI single in the first, his eighth RBI of the season. An RBI single by 3B River Stevens in the second knotted the game at two. The game would not see another runner cross the plate until the seventh when CF Terrance Gore scored on a bunt single by 3B Jack Lopez to make it 2-1, Naturals. That run turned out to be enough as LHP Sam Selman and RHP Evan Beal (S, 1) closed out the game with three scoreless innings. Sunday, April 16 (Game 1): L, 10-4 @ Corpus Christi The Naturals (3-7) opened their road series against the Corpus Christi Hooks (7-3) on Easter Sunday with a 10-4 loss. The Naturals were able to tie the game 3-3 in the seventh on a 2B Humberto Arteaga RBI single, but gave the lead right back to the Hooks in the bottom half of the inning. Corpus scored seven

total runs in seventh and eighth innings to put the game away. RHP Pedro Fernandez (L, 0-2) walked away with the loss after surrendering the two runs in the seventh. C Zane Evans had a two-run home run in the fourth, his first of the year.

Springfield Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals Affiliate This Week: 5-5; Overall: 5-5

2nd Place North Division

Thursday, April 6 (Game 1): W, 9-3 @ Frisco The Springfield Cardinals (1-0) spoiled the home and season opener for the Frisco RoughRiders (0-1) as they clobbered the RoughRiders in front of their home crowd of 9,876, winning 9-3. Springfield’s starter (Cardinals’ #8 prospect according to MLB.com) RHP Jack Flaherty (W, 1-0) never let a man get past first in his 6.2 innings of work as he struck out six while only giving up three hits and one walk. The Cardinals took advantage of Frisco starter RHP Connor Sadzeck’s (L, 0-1) spotty command for a four-run first inning. 3B Bruce Caldwell and DH Jacob Wilson each had RBI walks with the bases loaded before SS Alex Mejia plated two more runs with a single to left field. The Cardinals would never look back from there. Springfield scored four more times in the third and one more in the fourth to put the game out of reach. Frisco would finally put some runs on the board in the eighth on a bases clearing three-run double by SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa, but it was too little too late as Springfield RHP Corey Baker threw a scoreless ninth inning to close out the game. Friday, April 7 (Game 2): W, 7-0 @ Frisco Behind a strong pitching effort by RHP Sandy Alcantara (W, 1-0) and an offensive surge in the early innings, the Cardinals (2-0) were able to shutout the RoughRiders (0-2) in a 7-0 contest. Picking up where RHP Jack Flaherty left off the night before, Alcantara threw six strong shutout innings, giving up just four hits and issuing one walk while striking out four on his way to picking up his first win of the season in his Double-A debut. Frisco threatened to score in the second inning with men on the corners and no outs, but a double play on a fly ball out and outfield assist by RF Blake Drake, and a strikeout by Alcantara would end the threat. The Cardinals scored in every inning from the second to the fifth to put the game out of reach. SS Alex Mejia led the Cardinals offensively, going 2-5 with two doubles, three RBI, and a run scored. Saturday, April 8 (Game 3): L, 10-2 @ Frisco The Cardinals (2-1) were unable to complete the sweep of the Frisco RoughRiders (1-2) as Frisco’s offense exploded for ten runs on the night. Cardinals starter LHP Austin Gomber (L, 0-1) was chased in the first inning after surrendering five runs on five hits and a walk. 3B Bruce Caldwell provided all of the offense for the Cardinals with a solo home run and a RBI single in the second and fifth innings

respectively. Frisco would score once more in the bottom of the fourth and then four more times in the seventh to bring the game to a final score of 10-2. Frisco touched each of the Cardinals’ pitchers for at least one run in the game. Sunday, April 9 (Game 1): W, 6-3 @ Midland The Cardinals (3-1) rallied in the seventh with four runs for a comeback win in the opening game of their series with the Midland RockHounds (2-2). Midland opened up the scoring in the first inning on an unearned run as 3B Bruce Caldwell could not cleanly handle a groundball with the bases loaded and two outs. Caldwell would redeem himself in the third with an RBI single to even the score a one apiece. The Cardinals took the lead the very next inning on an RBI single from RF Adolis Garcia. Cardinals starter RHP Dakota Hudson had settled in after the first inning, but ran into trouble again in the sixth with two outs and a man on first. A hard hit fly ball by Midland SS Richie Martin to right field got away from RF Garcia and allowed for both runners to score on a two-run inside the park home run to put Midland back in front, 3-2. It was a short-live lead, however, as the Cardinals would score three runs on an throwing error and two-run double by LF Nick Martini. Springfield RHP Blake McKnight (W, 1-0) earned the win with 2.1 innings of scoreless relief, while RHP Corey Baker (S, 1) earned the save with a scoreless ninth. Monday, April 10 (Game 2): L, 5-1 @ Midland The Cardinals (3-2) managed only one run on three hits Monday night as they fell to the Midland RockHounds (3-2) in game two of their series in Midland. Midland scored two runs in the second inning off of Cardinals starter RHP Matt Pearce (L, 0-1), who would take the loss after surrendering two runs on five hits and a walk in 4.2 innings of work. The game would not see a another run cross the plate until the eighth inning, Midland LHP Brandon Mann and RHP Corey Walter combined for seven shutout innings, when the Cardinals were able to cut the lead in half with solo home run from RF Blake Drake off of RHP Kyle Finnegan. Midland, however, would score three more in the bottom half of the inning to bring the game to the final score of 5-1, Midland. 3B Bruce Caldwell continued his hot hitting to start the season with a double in the ninth, but nothing would come of it as Midland RHP Jake Sanchez would end the game with a strikeout of the next batter. Tuesday, April 11 (Game 3): W, 2-1 @ Midland The Springfield Cardinals (4-2) won on the arm of top prospect RHP Jack Flaherty (W, 2-0), who surrendered one run on four hits while striking out four on his way to victory over the Midland RockHounds (3-3). The game remained scoreless through the first three innings before the Cardinals broke through against Midland starter RHP Grant Holmes (L, 0-1) in the fourth with two runs. Midland would respond in the home half with a run of their own off of Flaherty, who had retired the first eleven batters he had faced, when CF J.P. Sportman singled and then came around to score sacrifice fly by LF Tyler Marincov. That was all Midland would get off of Flaherty as he faced the minimum in his final three innings of work. RHP Kevin Herget (S, 1) came in and threw two scoreless innings to close out the game and earn the save. Wednesday, April 12: OFF

Thursday, April 13 (Game 1): L, 7-1 vs. Frisco A week after the Cardinals (4-3) spoiled their own home opener, the Frisco RoughRiders (3-4) returned the favor by beating Springfield 7-1 in front of 8,426 fans at Hammons Field Thursday night. Cardinals starter RHP Sandy Alcantara (L, 1-1) had a rough outing as he was responsible for all seven runs in his 3.2 innings of work. Frisco 1B Eric Aguilera started the barrage with a two-out, two-run home run in the first to make it 2-0, Frisco. In the second, Frisco 2B Andy Ibanez followed suit by smacking a home run of his own to make it 3-0. Frisco added another run before Alcantara was able to escape the inning. The Cardinals cut the lead by one to make it 4-1 after RF Adolis Garcia hit his first professional home run in the bottom of the second. That’s all the Cardinals were able to muster, as the RoughRiders bullpen continued its strong start to the season by throwing three scoreless innings after RHP Ariel Jurado (W, 1-1) only allowed the one run in six innings. Frisco added three more runs in the fourth to bring the game to its final score of 7-1. Friday, April 14 (Game 2): L, 7-2 vs. Frisco The Cardinals (4-4) played a tight ballgame for nine innings, but the Frisco RoughRiders (4-4) erupted for five runs in the tenth to take game two of a three game series by a score of 7-2. 3B Jacob Wilson had two solo home runs on the night to account for both of Springfield’s runs. His second came in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at two. Cardinals LHP Austin Gomber allowed two runs, only one earned, on four hits and three walks while striking out six in 4.1 innings of work. Frisco starter LHP Yohander Mendez had an almost identical line as he gave up only one run on 4 hits and three walks while striking out six as well, but went 5.2 innings. RHP Blake McKnight (L, 1-1) gave up five runs in the tenth on six hits as he walked away with the loss. Saturday, April 15 (Game 3): W, 6-5 vs. Frisco The Cardinals (5-4) managed to salvage a 6-5 win out of their home series with the Frisco RoughRiders (4-5). The Cardinals touched Frisco start RHP Reed Garrett (L, 0-2) for two runs in the second, one in the third, and three in the fifth as he would only go 4.1 innings as he would take his second loss of the season. The big hit of the game was a three-run home run off the bat of 3B Bruce Caldwell, his second of the year. Cardinals starter RHP Dakota Hudson (W, 1-0) gave up only one run on three hits and three walks while striking out four in six innings of work. The game got interesting in the eighth as Frisco scored four runs on five hits, including a two-run double by CF Jose Cardona, but Springfield reliever RHP Kevin Herget (S, 2) would come in and shut the door to earn his second save of the season. Sunday, April 16 (Game 1): L, 9-4 vs. Midland The Cardinals (5-5) dropped game one of their home series against the Midland RockHounds (5-5) by a score of 9-4. A run-scoring single by DH J.P. Sportman broke a scoreless tie in the top of the third, and then a two-run double by CF B.J. Boyd increased the Midland lead to three. Cardinals starter RHP Matt Pearce (L, 0-2) would settle down after that, throwing back-to-back scoreless innings in the fourth and fifth, but he would still end the night with a loss. A two-run home run by LF Nick Martini cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the third, but that would be the closest the Cardinals would get. Midland RF Tyler Marincov hit his second home run of the season, a solo shot, to make it a 4-2 game in the eighth. That was followed by a walk, a hit batsman, and another walk before two run-scoring singles by LF Brett Vertigan and Sportman made it an 8-2 game. Springfield CF Oscar Mercado hit a two-run home run in

the eighth to cut the lead in half, but Midland would score once again in the ninth to make it the final score of 9-4.

Tulsa Drillers

Los Angeles Dodgers Affiliate This Week: 5-4; Overall: 5-4

Tied 1st North Division

Thursday, April 6 (Game 1): L, 4-1 @ Midland The Tulsa Drillers (0-1) scored early but not often as they dropped their season opener to the Texas League defending Champion Midland RockHounds (1-0). Dodgers’ Top-30 prospect 3B Edwin Rios knocked in SS Tim Locastro for Tulsa’s one and only run in the top of the first Thursday night. Their lead was short-lived as the RockHounds scored twice in the bottom half of the inning on a sacrifice fly by RF Tyler Marincov and an RBI base hit by 1B Viosergy Rosa. Tulsa’s bats were silenced after the first by Midland starter RHP Corey Walter and a trio of relivers, Midland reliever LHP Brandon Mann (W, 1-0) picked up the win. Midland would score twice more, once in the second and once more in the fifth on an unearned run. Tulsa starter RHP Scott Barlow (L, 0-1) took the loss, going only 2.2 innings, giving up three runs on three hits and three walks.

Friday, April 7 (Game 2): L, 5-2 @ Midland The Drillers’ (0-2) late rally was not enough to overcome their wild pitching as they dropped the second game over their season opening series against the Midland RockHounds (2-0). Tulsa starting pitcher RHP Isaac Anderson (L, 0-1) gave up three straight walks with two outs in the first inning but was able to escape the bases loaded jam with a strikeout. He continued to test his luck until it finally ran out in the fifth as he was pulled after allowing two men to reach base for mustache aficionado RHP Ralston Cash, who promptly surrendered a two-run double. The RockHounds added one more run before Cash was able to get through the inning. The Drillers were able to cut the lead the next inning on a run scoring single by 1B Edwin Rios, but the RockHounds would get the run back in the bottom half of the inning. In the top of the ninth, the score now 5-1 Midland, the Drillers tried to rally with two outs. C Wynston Sawyer doubled and then scored on a single by RF Stetson Allie to make the score 5-2, SS Mike Ahmed then coaxed a walk out of Midland’s relief pitcher RHP Kyle Finnegan (S, 1) to bring the tying run to the plate but Finnegan recovered by striking out 2B Jose Fernandez to end the game and earn the save. Saturday, April 8 (Game 3): W, 7-6 @ Midland The Drillers (1-2) avoided a season opening sweep with a 7-6 win over the Midland RockHounds (2-1) in a back-and-forth affair Saturday night in Midland. The Drillers took advantage of some sloppy defense in the first and second innings as they scored five unearned runs, two in the first and three in the second.

Midland would score three runs themselves in the first and would tie the game at five in the fifth on a two-run home run by DH Tyler Marincov. The teams then traded runs in the seventh as Tulsa LF Jacob Scavuzzo hit a solo home run in the top half of the inning, while Midland C Argenis Raga knocked in Marincov with an RBI double in the home half. Tulsa took its fourth and final lead of the game in the eighth off a two-out RBI single from SS Michael Ahmend. Tulsa RHP Joe Broussard (S, 1) ended a threat in the bottom half of the eighth by retiring two batters, including striking out Marincov. Broussard then threw a perfect ninth inning to complete the save, RHP Yaisel Sierra got the win after two innings of relief. Sunday, April 9 (Game 1): W, 8-4 @ Frisco The Drillers (2-2) had their largest offensive outburst of the young season to win the series opener vs the Frisco RoughRiders (1-3) Sunday afternoon. The Drillers offense started their attack early on with a first inning two-run home run by DH Edwin Rios. Frisco, however, bounced right back with two runs of their own in the home half of the inning with a 3B Juremi Profar solo home run and a RF Luke Tendler RBI double. The tie would not last long as the Drillers profited off of two wild pitches with the bases loaded by Frisco starter RHP Reed Garrett to score two more in the third. The Drillers continued their scoring ways in the fifth with a three-run home run by CF Johan Mieses to make it a 7-2 game. Tulsa finished its scoring for day the next inning with an RBI double from 3B Jose Fernandez. Drillers starter LHP Colt Hynes (W, 1-0) earned the win despite giving up eleven hits in five innings of work as he was able to limit the damage to two runs with four strikeouts and no walks. Frisco 1B Royce Bolinger brought the game to its concluding score of 8-4 with an eighth inning two-run home run. Monday, April 10 (Game 2): L, 6-3 @ Frisco In a rain shortened game, the Tulsa Drillers (2-3) fell to the Frisco RoughRiders (2-3) by a score of 6-3 to even the series at 1-1. In what has become an all too familiar occurrence for the Drillers, Frisco scored in the first inning to take an early lead. The Drillers didn’t go without a fight as RF Stetson Allie and C Kyle Farmer each had a solo home run in the third and fourth innings respectively, but Frisco jumped right back on top with a two run fourth inning. Frisco wasn’t done there either as they scored two more in the fifth as well. After the lead was increased to four on a wild pitch in the sixth to make it 6-2, Frisco, the Drillers scored their third and final run in the top of the seventh on two-out RBI single by LF Kyle Garlick. It was then that the rain struck, the game was called after a 34-minute delay. Tuesday, April 11 (Game 3): W, 4-1 @ Frisco The Drillers’ (3-3) bats came alive in the ninth as they scored three runs to take the final game of their series with the Frisco RoughRiders (2-4) by a final score of 4-1. Both starting pitchers, RHP Scott Barlow for Tulsa and RHP Connor Sadzeck for Frisco, pitched well enough to earn the win but both would walk away with a no-decision. Barlow allowed one run on three hits while striking out three, but Sadzeck matched his effort as he struck out nine in five innings while allowing only one run (unearned). It wasn’t until the ninth inning that the Drillers would finally break through with a pair of RBI singles. The first was a two-run knock by 3B Paul Hoenecke and the second was by LF Matt Beaty to give Tulsa a 4-1 lead. RHP Joe Broussard (W, 1-0) got the win after closing out the game with two scoreless innings of relief. Wednesday, April 12: OFF

Thursday, April 13 (Game 1): L, 7-5 vs. Midland The Drillers (3-4) lost a rainy affair in their home opener for the season against the Midland RockHounds (4-3). The Drillers jumped out to quick lead with a three-run first inning, which included five hits. Tulsa starter RHP Isaac Anderson (l, 0-2) started the game off with two scoreless innings before running into trouble with two outs in the third. Midland scored on a wild pitch and a three-run home run by DH Viosergy Rosa to take a 4-3 lead and knocked Anderson out of the game. Midland got another three-run home run the very next inning off the bat of LF J.P. Sportman to take a commanding 7-3 lead. The Drillers would strike back with some offensive firepower of their own in the fifth with a two-run home run by 1B Edwin Rios to get within two, but it would not be enough. Midland’s relievers combined to retire the final thirteen Tulsa batters to close out the game. RHP Joel Seddon (W, 1-1) go the win and RHP Jake Sanchez (S, 2) earned the save with two scoreless innings. Friday, April 14 (Game 2): W, 3-0 vs. Midland The Drillers (4-4) shutout the Midland RockHounds (4-4) to take game two of their home opening series. 8,436 people were on hand to witness their team’s first home win of the year as they evened their record to 4-4. A pair of home runs in the second inning by DH Paul Hoenecke and SS Tim Locastro gave Tulsa starting pitcher RHP Tim Shibuya (W, 1-0) a three-run lead. That turned out to be all Shibuya and the Tulsa Bullpen would need. After Shibuya completed five scoreless innings, the Tulsa Bullpen continued that trend as three relievers combined to go four scoreless innings to close out the game. RHP Joe Broussard (S, 2) earned the save with a perfect ninth inning. Saturday, April 15 (Game 3): W, 6-3 vs. Midland A six-run fifth inning propelled the Tulsa Drillers (5-4) to a series victory against the Midland RockHounds (4-5) Saturday night. Midland started the scoring off by scoring one in the first. The damage could have been much worse as the RockHounds had the bases loaded with only one out, but Tulsa starter RHP Ivan Vieitez was able to limit the damage to just the one run. Midland scored another run in the top of the fifth to make it 2-0, but Tulsa’s bats sprung to life in the home half of the inning. The Drillers loaded the bases and then got some help from opposing pitcher LHP Brandon Mann (L, 1-1) as he hit a batter and then walked another to allow Tulsa to tie the game 2-2. Then C Kyle Farmer and 1B Edwin Rios hit back-to-back doubles to make it 6-2, Tulsa. LHP Colt Hynes (W, 2-0) got the win after 3.1 innings of relief work, while RHP Yasiel Sierra (S, 1) got the save after pitching a scoreless ninth.

SOUTH DIVISION NOTES 4/6-4/16

Corpus Christi Hooks

Houston Astros Affiliate This Week: 7-3; Overall: 7-3

1st South Division

Thursday, April 6 (Game 1): W, 2-1 @ Arkansas The Corpus Christi Hooks (1-0) rallied late to spoil the Arkansas Travelers’ (0-1) home opener. The Hooks sent RHP Trent Thornton to the mound for the first start of the season; his lone blemish, one run in the first inning after giving up a leadoff triple. Arkansas’ starter RHP Andrew Moore held the Hooks offense in check for the first six innings before giving way to the bullpen, and the Hooks took advantage of the switch. The Hooks loaded the bases in the top of the eighth with a pair of singles by DH Bryan Muniz and RF Ramon Laureano (Astro’s #8 prospect according to MLB.com) and a walk by C Garrett Stubbs (#11 prospect), then LF Drew Ferguson had the big hit of the night, a two-run single. Sinkerballer RHP Ryan Thompson (S, 1) then closed out the game with two shutout innings to earn the save, while reliever RHP Cy Sneed (W, 1-0) earned the win after three shutout innings. Friday, April 7 (Game 2): L, 6-1 @ Arkansas The Hooks (1-1) ran into a 6’8” wall named Max Povse Friday night as they lost game two of their series against the Arkansas Travelers (1-1). Arkansas starter RHP Max Povse (W, 1-0) shut down the Hooks offense, going seven innings, allowing only two hits and one walk while striking out five on the way to earning the win. No Hooks hitter had more than one hit on the night as they scored only one run on an eighth inning RBI single by SS Mott Hyde. Hooks starting pitcher LHP Kent Emanuel (L, 0-1) gave up four runs on six hits and one walk in four innings of work, including a bases clearing three-run triple by C Tyler Marlette in the third. Saturday, April 8 (Game 3): W, 6-1 @ Arkansas The Hooks (2-1) took the series finale and the series with a 6-1 win over the Arkansas Travelers on Saturday night behind the efforts of starting pitcher RHP Dean Deetz (W, 1-0) and 1B Jon Singleton. Deetz struggled in the first, allowing a run on a walk and a hit, but he would go on to retire 14 of the final

15 men he faced. Singleton went three-for-three with a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored to provide the offense for the Hooks. Hooks RHP Jacob Dorris and RHP Kevin Comer each threw two innings of scoreless relief to close out the game. Arkansas starter Tyler Herb (L, 0-1) took the loss, he gave up four runs on five hits and four walks in 4.2 innings of work while striking out four. Sunday, April 9 (Game 1): W, 7-3 @ Northwest Arkansas The Hooks (3-1) opened up their series with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (1-3) with a 7-3 win Sunday afternoon in Springdale, Arkansas. The game started off with three scoreless innings before the Hooks broke the stalemate in the fourth with a two-run home run by LF Alejandro Garcia. The cut the lead in half in the fifth and then tied it up with a RBI double by 1B Samir Duenez. With the game tied at two apiece, the Hooks got back-to-back doubles from C Garrett Stubbs and 3B J.D. Davis to take a 3-2 lead in the eighth. The Hooks then loaded the bases to set the stage for 2B Jack Mayfield. Mayfield ripped a bases clearing three-run triple to right field to break the game open, the Hooks now up 6-2. 1B Bryan Muniz added another run for good measure with an RBI single before the Naturals could escape the inning. Hooks starter RHP Rogelio Armenteros got a tough luck no-decision as he threw 5.2 innings while giving up only one earned run and striking out ten batters, while RHP Eric Peterson would walk away with the win. Monday, April 10 (Game 2): W, 3-2 @ Northwest Arkansas The Hooks (4-1) secured a winning road trip to start the season as they beat the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (1-4) Monday night by a score of 3-2. The Hooks scored two early runs in the first of a 3B Jack Mayfield solo home run and a two-out RBI single from RF Alejandro Garcia, but the Naturals would bounce back in the second by scoring two runs of their own. The game would remain tied until the fifth inning when the Hooks took advantage of some defensive miscues by the Naturals to score the go-ahead run on a RBI groundout by CF Ramon Laureano. RHP Joshua James (W, 1-0) earned the win for the Hooks with four shutout innings of relief work, and RHP Kevin Comer (S, 1) shut the door on the game in the ninth to earn the save. Tuesday, April 11 (Game 3): L, 12-3 @ Northwest Arkansas The Hooks (4-2) dropped the the third and final game of their series with the Northwest Naturals (2-4) by a final score of 12-3. The Naturals scored seven runs in the second inning off of Hooks RHP Cy Sneed (L, 1-1) and they never looked back after that. For the Hooks and Sneed, it was a game to forget. Sneed never made it out of the second inning and took the loss. It didn’t seem to matter who was pitching for the Hooks Tuesday night as the Naturals scored five more runs to get to their final total of twelve runs. RHP Zach Lovvorn (W, 1-1) got the win for the Naturals. Wednesday, April 12: OFF Thursday, April 13 (Game 1): L, 9-0 vs. Arkansas The Hooks (4-3) got their second shot at Arkansas (3-4) starter RHP Max Povse (W, 2-0), but they were once again thwarted by the 6’8” righty. The Hooks bats were shutout by Povse and the Arkansas bullpen in their home opener and their pitching didn’t fare that much better as they were defeated by a score of 9-0. Hooks starter RHP Trent Thornton (L, 0-1) allowed six runs to score on ten hits as he was chased out of the game in the fourth inning. C Tyler Marlette led the Naturals offense Thursday night, going three-

for-five with four RBI. The Hooks went one-for-five with runners in scoring position and left six men on base as their offense could never get anything started against the Arkansas pitching staff. Arkansas scored two more in the sixth and another in the seventh to bring the game to a final score of 9-0. Friday, April 14 (Game 2): W, 5-4 vs. Arkansas No pain, no gain. The Hooks (5-3) scored a late go-ahead run on a hit batsman to even their series with the Arkansas Travelers (3-5). The Hooks were down 4-2 entering the bottom of the eighth. A C Jamie Ritchie one-out, bases loaded single knocked in RF Ramon Laureano and 1B Jon Singleton, who had reached on a lead-off double and a walk respectively, to tie the game at four. Another walk to 3B Mott Hyde re-loaded the bases for DH Alejandro Garcia, who collected the game-winning RBI when he was struck by a pitch. Hooks RHP Dean Deetz (W, 2-0) got the win after 3.2 innings of relief in which he only allowed one hit, and RHP Ryan Thompson (S, 2) got the last out of the game to earn the save. Saturday, April 15 (Game 3): W, 5-0 vs. Arkansas Hooks (6-3) starter RHP Rogelio Armenteros (W, 1-0) and reliever RHP Joshua James (S, 1) combined to only allow three hits in nine scoreless innings as the Hooks shutout the Arkansas Travelers (3-6) 5-0. Armenteros surrendered two hits and one walk while striking out eight in five innings of work to earn the win, and James struck out three in three innings on his way to earning his first save of the season. CF Ramon Laureano’s three-run home run in the third gave the Hooks all the runs that they would need, but they would add another run in the fifth and seventh innings on a 3B J.D. Davis RBI single and solo home run respectively. Sunday, April 16 (Game 1): W, 10-4 vs. Northwest Arkansas CF Drew Ferguson went three-for-four with a home run, three RBI, and three runs scored to lead the way offensively for the Hooks as they defeated the Northwest Arkansas Naturals by a score of 10-4. The game was knotted at three through 6.5 innings before the Hooks scored two in the bottom half of the seventh and then five more an inning later. LHP Michael freeman (W, 1-0) was the profiteer of the outburst of runs by the Hooks as he walked away with the win despite allowing to free passes in 1.1 innings of work. LF Alejandro Garcia also had a home run for the Hooks, his second of the season.

Frisco RoughRiders

Texas Rangers Affiliate This Week: 4-5; Overall: 4-5

4th South Division

Thursday, April 6 (game 1): L, 9-3 vs. Springfield The Frisco RoughRiders (0-1) had a season opener to forget as they lost 9-3 to the Springfield Cardinals (1-0) in front of a home crowd of 9,876. Frisco starter and Rangers’ #11 prospect according to MLB.com RHP Connor Sadzeck (L, 0-1) walked four, surrendered one hit, and was responsible for four runs without recording an out in less than one inning Thursday night. Despite a strong effort by the Frisco bullpen, which went nine innings without giving up an earned run (five unearned runs were allowed), the RoughRiders were unable to overcome the first inning deficit due to limited offense and sloppy defense. Frisco was finally able to put some runs on the board with a bases clearing three-run double by SS Isiah Kinder-Falefa in the eighth, but that would be all the runs they could muster. With the loss, the RoughRiders fell to 8-7 all-time on Opening Day. Friday, April 7 (Game 2): L, 7-0 vs. Springfield This is turning out to be an opening series that the RoughRiders (0-2) would like to forget sooner rather than later as they fell once again to the Springfield Cardinals (2-0) 7-0. The RoughRiders managed eight hits on the night, including two doubles by DH Eric Aguilera, but they were unable to take advantage of any scoring situations. Their best scoring chance came in the second with runners on the corners and not outs, but Aguilera was thrown out at home trying to score on a RF Luke Tendler fly out to right and then 1B Royce Bolinger struck out to end the inning. Frisco starter RHP Ariel Jurado (L, 0-1) took the loss as he gave up seven earned runs on eleven hits in 4.2 innings, while Springfield starter RHP Sandy Alcantara threw six scoreless innings to earn the win. Saturday, April 8 (Game 3): W, 10-2 vs. Springfield After struggling to score runs in their first two games of the season, the Frisco RoughRiders (1-2) exploded for ten of them against the Springfield Cardinals (2-1) in their first win of the young season. The RoughRiders forced out Springfield starter LHP Austin Gomber (L, 0-1) in the first inning after scoring five runs on five hits, including a two-run base knock by CF Jose Cardona. Springfield would score a run of their own in the top half of the next inning on a solo home run by 3B Bruce Caldwell, but the RoughRiders got the run back in the fourth on a home run of their own by 2B Isiah Kiner-Falefa to make the score 6-1, Frisco. After Springfield scored once again in the fifth, the RoughRiders put the game away with a four-run seventh inning. 3B Juremi Profar led the inning off with a solo home run and was followed by RBI doubles by RF Royce Bolinger and SS Michael De Leon, Bolinger’s scoring two.

Frisco LHP Yohander Mendez (W, 1-0) was the benefactor of the offensive outburst as he would come away with the win after throwing five innings, surrendering only two runs on seven hits while striking out four and walking one. The bullpen continued to flourish with four scoreless innings of relief, four from RHP James Dykstra, who struck out six, and one by RHP Nick Gardewine. Sunday, April 9 (Game 1): L, 8-4 vs. Tulsa Offense was the name of the game as the Frisco RoughRiders (1-3) fell to the Tulsa Drillers (2-2) by a score of 8-4 Sunday afternoon. The game featured four home runs and 28 total hits, but it was the Drillers that had a little more firepower. Tulsa struck first with a first inning two-run home run by DH Edwin Rios, but the RoughRiders were able to even the score in the home half of the inning with a home run of their own by 3B Juremi Profar and an RBI double by RF Luke Tendler. RoughRiders starting pitcher RHP Reed Garrett (L, 0-1) was pushed out of the game in the fifth inning after a CF Johan Mieses three-run home run. Garrett gave up seven runs on ten hits and two walks while striking out five. Tulsa starter LHP Colt Hynes (W, 1-0) was not much more effective, surrendering eleven hits, but was able to escape mostly unscathed as he only let two runs cross the plate in five innings of work on his way to getting the win. 1B Royce Bolinger provided some more fireworks in the bottom of the eighth with a two-run home run, but it was not enough overcome the Tulsa lead. Monday, April 10 (Game 2): W, 6-3 vs. Tulsa The RoughRiders (2-3) won a rain-shortened game Monday night against the Tulsa Drillers (2-3) by a score of 6-3 to even the series one-to-one. The RoughRiders scored an early run on a RBI single by 3B Juremi Profar, but that lead was erased by a third inning solo home run by Tulsa RF Stetson Allie. Tulsa would then take the lead the next inning on another solo home run, this time by C Kyle Farmer. Frisco would tie the game in the bottom half of the inning on a DH Luke Tendler RBI single and then take the lead on a RBI hit by RF Drew Vettleson. The RoughRiders increased their lead in the fifth on a two-run single from 1B Eric Aguilera, and then even further in the sixth with another run to make it 6-2. Tulsa would cut the lead by one in the top of the seventh, but it was during the seventh inning stretch that the rain struck. After a long delay, the game was called. Tuesday, April 11 (Game 3): L, 4-1 vs. Tulsa The Frisco RoughRiders (2-4) dropped the rubber game of their series with the Tulsa Drillers (3-3) by a score of 4-1. The game was a pitchers’ duel heading into the ninth when the Drillers broke things open with three runs. The big hit came off the bat of C Paul Hoenecke, a two-run single to right field. Frisco starter RHP Connor Sadzeck allowed only one hit and struck out nine in his five innings of work while surrendering only one unearned run. SS Michael De Leon knocked in Frisco’s only run in the fifth with an RBI Single. RHP Joe Broussard (W, 1-0) got the win for Tulsa after pitching two perfect innings to close out the game. Wednesday, April 12: OFF Thursday, April 13 (Game 1): The Frisco RoughRiders got revenge on the Springfield Cardinals for ruining their home opener by ruining a home opener themselves Thursday night. The Riders scored four runs off of Springfield starter RHP Sandy Alcantara over the first two innings to jumpstart their offense. 1B Eric Aguilera crushed a

two-run home run in the first, while 2B Andy Ibanez and SS Michael De Leon jacked a solo shot and hit an RBI double respectively in the second. Those would be all the runs that Riders starter RHP Ariel Jurado and the Frisco bullpen would need. Jurado gave up only one run on four hits and one walk while striking out five in six innings of work. The Frisco bullpen then fired three straight scoreless innings to close out the game. Frisco would add three more runs in the fourth to bring the score to its final of 7-1. Friday, April 14 (Game 2): A late home run by Springfield (4-4) 3B Jacob Wilson forced extra innings on Friday night, but it turned out it there would be only one extra inning as the Riders (4-4) erupted for five runs in the tenth on the way to clinching a series victory. The Riders scored an unearned run in the third on a throwing error by Springfield RF Blake Drake, and an earned run in the fifth on a CF Scott Heineman solo shot to left. The Cardinals answered that shot with one of their own, Wilson’s first home run of the evening, to make it a 2-1 game. In the tenth 2B Juremi Profar got the scoring going with an RBI single, DH Eric Aguilera and 1B Royce Bolinger extended the lead with a two-run double and a two-run single respectively. RHP Clayton Cook (W, 1-0) who had blown the save the inning before was able to escape a jam in the bottom half of the tenth to earn the win for Frisco. Saturday, April 15 (Game 3): The Riders (4-5) were unable to complete their sweep of the Springfield Cardinals (5-4) as they fell by a score of 6-5 in the series finale. The Cardinals jumped out to 6-0 lead with two runs in the second, one in the third, and three in the fifth. Two home runs by CF Adolis Garcia and 3B Bruce Caldwell did the most damage against Frisco starter RHP Reed Garrett (L, 0-2) who took the loss as he was responsible for all six runs given up. The Riders started to chip away at Sprinfield’s lead in the sixth when they scored on a passed ball, but the four run outburst in the eighth brought them within one. That was as far as they would get, however, as RHP Kevin Herget (S, 2) shut the door on the comeback with 1.2 innings of relief to close out the game and earn the save.

Midland RockHounds

Oakland Athletics Affiliate This Week: 5-5; Overall: 5-5

3rd Place South Division

Thursday, April 6 (Game 1): W, 4-1 vs. Tulsa The Midland RockHounds (1-0) opened their season at home in front of a crowd of over 6,000 people as they beat the Tulsa Drillers (0-1) 4-1 Thursday night. Midland had to erase an early deficit after starter RHP Corey Walter surrendered one run in the top of the first inning, but RF Tyler Marincov and 1B

Viosergy Rosa had a sacrifice fly and an RBI single respectively as the RockHounds scored twice in the bottom half of the inning and never trailed the rest of the game. The RockHounds added another run the next inning as SS Richie Martin (Athletics’ #6 prospect according to MLB.com) scored on a wild pitch, and Rosa would knock in the aptly named LF J.P. Sportman in the fifth inning for the game’s final run and his second RBI. LHP Brandon Mann (W, 1-0) picked up the win after pitching four scoreless innings in relief, while RHP Jake Sanchez (S, 1) earned the save. Friday, April 7 (Game 2): W, 5-2 vs. Tulsa RF Tyler Marincov and LF J.P. Sportman had big nights at the plate as the Midland RockHounds (2-0) clinched their opening series against the Tulsa Drillers (0-2) with 5-2 win Friday night. Midland scored three in the fifth to break a scoreless game, including a two-run double by Marincov. Tulsa would cut the lead by one in the sixth on an RBI single by 1B Edwin Rios, but the ‘Hounds got the run back in the bottom half on a RBI single themselves from 2B Max Schrock. Sportman would add another run in the eighth with one of his three hits on the night. Midland starter RHP James Naile tossed 4 scoreless innings, but would be replaced in the fifth by RHP Lou Trivino (W, 1-0) who pitched one scoreless inning to garner the win. Tulsa would threaten in the ninth, cutting the lead to three with the tying run at the plate, but Midland RHP Kyle Finnegan (S, 1) was able to escape the jam and earn the save. Saturday, April 8 (Game 3): L, 7-6 vs. Tulsa The RockHounds (2-1) were unable to complete the sweep of the Tulsa Drillers (1-2) to begin their season as they fell by a score of 7-6. The RockHounds were able to erase three leads during the game but were unable to with Tulsa’s fourth and final lead. Tulsa scored two unearned runs in the top half of the first before the ‘Hounds scored three runs of their own in the home half take their only lead of the game on a couple of RBI singles by LF J.P. Sportman and C Argenis Raga, Raga’s being a two-run single. That lead turned out to be short-lived as another defensive miscue allowed three more unearned runs to cross the plate to make it a 5-3 score in favor of Tulsa. The ‘Hounds tied it up in the fifth on a two-run home run by DH Tyler Marincov, who went 3-for-five with a home run, double, and two RBI. Both teams would score one run in the seventh to make it 6-6, but Tulsa would take its final lead of the game in the eighth on a SS Michael Ahmed RBI single. Tulsa reliever RHP Joe Broussard (S, 1) closed out the game with 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the save. Sunday, April 9 (Game 1): L, 6-3 vs. Springfield The Midland RockHounds (2-2) lost a 3-2 lead late to lose their opening game of their series with the Springfield Cardinals (3-1). The ‘Hounds only managed one run in the first after loading the bases with no outs, it would turn out to be costly for them. Springfield starter RHP Dakota Hudson settled down after that, retiring 10 straight at one point in time as the Cardinals gained a 2-1 lead. That streak ended in the sixth with a CF Brett Vertigan single and then a line drive by SS Richie Martin to right field turned into a two-run inside-the-park home run gave the ‘Hounds a 3-2 lead. Springfield erased that lead in the top half of the seventh and gained a three-run lead of themselves with four runs on two throwing errors by ‘Hounds RHP Kyle Frederichs (L, 0-1) and a two-run double by LF Nick Martini. Springfield relievers RHP Blake McKnight (W, 1-0) and RHP Corey Baker (S, 1) went a combined 3.1 scoreless innings to close out the game.

Monday, April 10 (Game 2): W, 5-1 vs. Springfield The RockHounds (3-2) tandem starters LHP Brandon Mann and RHP Corey Walter (W, 1-0) led their team to victory with a combined seven scoreless innings as they evened their series against the Springfield Cardinals (3-2) Monday night. Mann went three innings, giving up only one hit and issuing one free pass while striking out four. Walter then went four innings without giving up a hit and striking out two on the way to earning the win. DH Melvin Mercedes scored two with a double in the second to provide all the runs the ‘Hounds would need, but they would go on to score three more in the eighth to put the game securely in hand. Tuesday, April 11 (Game 3): L, 2-1 vs. Springfield Springfield starter RHP Jack Flaherty (W, 2-0) allowed only one run in seven innings of work while striking out four, as the Cardinals (4-2) were able to secure the series victory over the ‘Hounds (3-3) Tuesday night. Midland tandem starters RHP Grant Holmes (L, 0-1) and RHP James Naile went a combined eight innings while allowing two runs to cross the plate and struck out ten, Holmes would take the loss. Springfield took a two-run lead in the fourth on an RBI triple by C Gabriel Lino and then a wild pitch by Holmes. The ‘Hounds got one back in the bottom half of the inning as CF J.P. Sportman scored on a sacrifice fly by LF Tyler Marincov, but that’s all they would get against Flaherty and company. Springfield reliever RHP Kevin Herget (S, 1) would take over for Flaherty in the eighth and pitch two scoreless innings to close out the game. Wednesday, April 12: OFF Thursday, April 13 (Game 1): W, 7-5 @ Tulsa As rain threatened to spoil the opening game of the Midland’s series with the Tulsa Drillers (3-4), it turned out it was the ‘Hounds (4-3) that did the spoiling as they came back to beat Tulsa in their home opener, 7-5. Tulsa jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first as they used five hits to score three runs off of ‘Hounds starter RHP Heath Fillmyer. But the ‘Hounds erased that lead and built one of their own as they scored four runs in the third inning and three more in the fourth. The big hits came off the bats of DH Viosergy Rosa and LF J.P. Sportman as they both hit three-run home runs in the third and fourth innings respectively. RHP Joel Seddon (W, 1-0) got the win for Midland despite surrendering a two-run shot to Tulsa 1B Edwin Rios, and RHP Jake Sanchez (S, 2) earned the save with two perfect innings to close the game. Friday, April 14 (Game 2): L, 3-0 @ Tulsa A night after exploding for seven runs, the Midland RockHounds (4-4) were held scoreless by RHP Tim Shibuya (W, 1-0) and Tulsa Drillers (4-4) bullpen as the series was evened at one apiece. The Drillers got all the runs they would need in the second inning off of two home runs by DH Paul Hoenecke and SS Tim Locastro (2 R) to make it 3-0, Tulsa. Shibuya and three Tulsa relievers shutout the ‘Hounds offense, allowing four hits to Midland. DH Joe Bennie was the only RockHound with multiple hits on the evening with two. RHP Joes Broussard (S, 2) got the save for Tulsa with perfect ninth inning. Saturday, April 15 (Game 3): L, 6-3 @ Tulsa The Midland RockHounds (4-5) dropped their series with the Tulsa Drillers (5-4), as the Drillers celebrated their second straight victory in front of their home crowd. Midland’s first tandem starter RHP

Corey Walter pitched four scoreless innings before handing the ball off to LHP Brandon Mann (L, 1-1), and the Drillers had a little bit more success with the lefty than they did with the righty. The Drillers touched Mann for all six of their runs in the sixth inning as he was unable to complete the frame. LHP Colt Hynes (W, 2-0) was the benefiter of all the runs as he got the win after 3.1 innings of relief work for the Drillers. The ‘Hounds got to within three with seventh inning RBI groundout by 1B Viosergy Rosa, but that’s as close as they would get as Tulsa RHP Yasiel Sierra (S, 1) shut the door on the game with a scoreless ninth inning. Sunday, April 16 (Game 1): W, 9-4 @ Springfield The Midland RockHounds (5-5) used a five-run eighth inning to secure their Easter Sunday victory against the Springfield Cardinals (5-5) as they got their record back to .500 for the season. Midland tandem starters RHP James Naile and RHP Grant Holmes (W, 1-1) each surrendered two runs, but it was Holmes that was around to benefit from the eighth inning outburst of runs. A solo shot by RF Tyler Marincov got the inning started for the ‘Hounds. Then with the bases loaded, LF Brett Vertigan and DH J.P. Sportman hit back-to-back singles to bring their run tally to eight. Springfield got their two runs off of Holmes in the home half of the inning, but RHP Sam Bragg (S, 1) came in to relieve him and shut the door on the Cardinals to earn the save.

San Antonio Missions

San Diego Padres Affiliate This Week: 6-4; Overall: 6-4

2nd Place South Division

Thursday, April 6 (Game 1): W, 4-0 @ Northwest Arkansas The San Antonio Missions (1-0) overcame a strong start from opposing pitcher RHP Zach Lovvorn (L, 0-1) to beat the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (0-1). Padres’#7 prospect according to MLB.com, 2B Luis Urias’ fourth inning solo home run was the only run that Lovvorn surrendered in six innings. As it turns out, that is all the Missions needed as starting pitcher RHP Kyle Lloyd (W, 1-0) and the reliever duo of LHP Kyle McGrath and RHP Eric Yardley pitched nine scoreless innings combined to lead their team to victory. Lloyd pitched 5.2 innings, surrendered only one hit, and issued two walks while striking out four to earn the win. Friday, April 7 (Game 2): L, 6-4 @ Northwest Arkansas A sixth inning three-run home run doomed the San Antonio Missions (1-1) Friday night as Northwest Naturals (1-1) evened the series at one a piece. The Missions had the lead twice but were unable to hold onto either one, the final time due to a towering home run by Naturals DH Frank Schwindel off of RHP

Cesar Vargas (L, 0-1) in the sixth inning to overcome a 4-3 Missions lead. LF Nick Torres and DH Nick Schulz each homered for the Missions. Saturday, April 8 (Game 3): W, 5-3 @ Northwest Arkansas The Missions (2-1) claimed a series victory vs the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (1-2) with a 5-3 win Saturday night Springdale, Arkansas. The Naturals rallied late to tie the game at two apiece heading into the ninth, but the Missions would score three runs in the top half of the inning to secure the series victory. The game was a pitchers due for the first eight innings before the Missions blew the top off the game in the ninth. Missions starter RHP Enyel De Los Santos threw six innings, giving up only one run on two hits while striking out six. Northwest pitchers RHP Kyle Zimmer and RHP Miguel Almonte were able to match him for the most part as they combined to go 6.2 innings, giving up two runs on eight hits while striking out 8. The Missions would score one in the fourth on a 1B Fernando Perez RBI single and then extended the lead with a solo home run by C Stephen Mcgee in the fifth. Northwest battled back by scoring one in the sixth and then tied the game in the home half of the eighth on a CF Donnie Dewees, Jr. solo home run. San Antonio then exploded for three runs in the ninth on a three-run double by CF Alberth Martinez to secure the victory. RHP Chad Nading allowed a run in the ninth but was able to limit the damage and close out the game to earn the save. Sunday, April 9 (Game 1): L, 8-2 @ Arkansas The Missions (2-2) allowed eight runs as they were defeated by the Arkansas Travelers (2-2) in the opening game of three-game series. The Missions jumped out to an early lead with a 2B Noah Perio two-run home run in the first, but that would be all the runs that the Arkansas pitching staff would allow Sunday afternoon. Arkansas tied the game in the home half of the third on a 1B Ryan Casteel two-run double, took a three-run lead in the sixth, and then secured the game with three more runs in the seventh. Missions starter RHP A.J. Kennedy pitched well enough as he went four innings, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six. Relief pitcher RHP Justin Hancock (L, 0-1) would take the loss after surrendering three runs in the sixth. Monday, April 10: Postponed Due to Rain Tuesday, April 11 (Game 2): W, 5-1 @ Arkansas The San Antonio Missions (3-2) won game one of their Tuesday doubleheader against the Arkansas Travelers (2-3) after a rainout the previous night. Missions starter RHP Kyle Lloyd (W, 2-0) threw five innings and struck out five as he gave up only one unearned run on three hits to earn the win. The Missions got all the offense they would need with a four-run inning in the third. Three San Antonio hitters plated the runs with two doubles and a triple. LHP Kyle McGrath closed out the game with two scoreless innings after the Missions extended their lead to 5-1 with another run in the sixth off a 1B Fernando Perez solo shot.

Tuesday, April 11 (Game 3): W, 6-3 @ Arkansas The Missions (4-2) took game 2 of their doubleheader to sweep their twin-billing with the Arkansas Travelers (2-4). SS Luis Urias had the big hit of the game, a seventh inning grand slam to give the Missions a 6-2 lead. The Missions had entered the final inning of the shortened game trailing 2-0, but RBI

by DH Alberth Martinez and 3B River Stevens tied the game and set the stage for Urias’ heroics. RHP Rafael De Paula got the win for San Antonio after 1.2 scoreless innings of work. Wednesday, April 12: OFF Thursday, April 13 (Game 1): W, 5-4 vs. Northwest Arkansas The Missions (5-2) walked it off in the fourteenth inning in a late night affair against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (2-5). RF Nick Schulz gave San Antonio a 4-2 lead in the fourth with a two-run shot, but the Naturals scored two in the seventh to force extra innings. LHP Luis Rico started the fourteenth inning off with a hit batsman and a walk before recording his first out, a sacrifice fly that moved the runners up 90 feet. Rico then intentionally walked the next batter to load the bases in front of CF Auston Bousfield, who promptly ripped the game-winning hit past the shortstop. Friday, April 14 (Game 2): W, 2-0 vs. Northwest Arkansas The Missions (6-2) came within two outs of throwing their franchise first perfect game on Friday night against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (2-6). Missions starter RHP Enyel De Los Santos (W, 1-0) pitched six perfect innings before handing the ball off to RHP T.J. Weir, who picked up right where De Los Santos had left off as he threw two perfect innings himself. The Missions got all the runs they would need with one in the sixth on a 2B Noah Perio solo shot, but they would add an insurance run in the eighth just to make sure. RHP Eric Yardley (S, 1) came in the ninth to try and complete the perfect game, but a one-out infield single by 2B Ruben Sosa broke the perfect game and the no-hitter. Yardley limited the damage and kept the shutout intact by retiring the final two batters he faced. Saturday, April 15 (Game 3): L, 2-1 vs. Northwest Arkansas The Missions (6-3) were unable to complete their sweep of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (3-6) as they dropped the series finale by a score of 2-1. RHP Christian Binford (W, 1-0) allowed only one run and struck out four in six innings of work to lead the Naturals to victory. The lone run came on an RBI single by 3B River Stevens. The Naturals scored one run in the first inning and another in the seventh on a pair of RBI singles from 1B Frank Schwindel and 3B Jack Lopez. RHP Adam Cimber (L, 0-1) took the loss for the Missions after surrendering the seventh inning run. Sunday, April 16 (Game 1): L, 4-1 vs. Arkansas Missions (6-4) starter RHP Kyle Lloyd (L, 2-1) started off strong, but he lost his command in the fourth as the Arkansas Travelers (4-6) scored three of their four runs in the inning on their way to winning the series opener. That’s all Arkansas starter RHP Lindsey Caughel (W, 1-1) needed as he threw six shutout innings on the way to his first win of the season. The Missions were able to avoid being shutout when they scored an unearned run off of RHP Blake Perry in the eighth, but LHP Zac Curtis (S, 1) pitched a perfect ninth to close out the game and earn the save. SS Luis Urias and C Stephen McGee each had multi-hit games for the Missions.

Information

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