TEXAS LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES (Double-A)
GAME #4
Midland RockHounds 6
Tulsa Drillers 3
WP – G.Holmes
HR – S.Neuse
Prospect Of The Game:
Third Baseman Sheldon Neuse
(1 for 3 / Home Run / 2 Walks / 3 RBIs)
After dropping the first two games of the best-of-five championship series, Midland won its second straight do-or-die game on Saturday to tie the series and force a decisive Game #5 on Sunday. Third baseman Sheldon Neuse, who was acquired from Washington this summer in the Ryan Madson/Sean Doolittle deal, delivered the big blow for the battling RockHounds. After Texas League RBI champion Viosergy Rosa singled for the second time in the game in the top of the 5th inning to drive in the go-ahead run and give Midland a slim 1-run lead, Neuse then stepped to the plate and slugged a 3-run homer to provide all the runs the RockHounds would end up needing on Saturday. Neuse also drew a pair of walks in the game and is now 8-for-14 in the series, while catcher Sean Murphy singled, walked and scored a run for the Hounds. Texas League strikeout king Grant Holmes turned in a solid start for Midland, allowing 3 runs, 2 earned, while striking out 6 over 6 1/3 innings of work to earn the win. Relievers Brandon Mann, Nolan Blackwood, Tyler Sturdevant and Kyle Finnegan combined to throw 2 2/3 scoreless innings, with Finnegan recording the final four outs for the RockHounds to register the save. RHP James Naile is set to take the mound as Midland attempts to clinch in its fourth straight Texas League title in Sunday’s decisive contest. Midland RockHounds Postseason Roster
Sunday’s Game:
Midland @ Tulsa (Championship Game #5) – 4:05pm PT / 6:05pm CT
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