Oakland A's MLN: Mixed Results In Game Twos

The Midland Rockhounds used a comeback to even their Texas League finals series, but the Sacramento River Cats once again found themselves on the losing end of a one-run game to fall into an 0-2 hole.

Midland Rises From The Dead In Game Two

After falling behind big early in a Game One blowout loss, it looked like more of the same for the Midland Rockhounds early on in Game Two. After one-and-a-half innings, the Rockhounds found themselves down 5-0.

Unlike in Game One, the Rockhounds were able to chip away at the Northwest Arkansas lead and the Midland pitching staff was able to keep the Naturals within reach until the Rockhounds' offense was able to break through and take their first lead of the series. A Jemile Weeks three-run homer was the big blow in a five-run sixth inning for Midland that gave the Rockhounds a 7-5 lead. That would be just enough, as Midland would hold on to a 7-6 win.

Graham Godfrey overcame a five-run second inning to earn the win. He went six innings, allowing only those five second-inning runs. He struck-out three and walked one. Mickey Storey threw a scoreless seventh and left the game in the eighth with a runner on first and two-outs. That run would eventually score on back-to-back singles allowed by Carlos Hernandez and Jonathan Hunton. However, Hunton was able to record the last four outs to earn his third save of the playoffs.

Weeks, Corey Wimberly and Shane Peterson each had two hits. In addition to Weeks, Peterson and Archie Gilbert both homered. All three homers came in the decisive five-run sixth for Midland. The series now moves to Northwest Arkansas tied at a game apiece.

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Sacramento's Offense Fizzles Again In Game Two Loss

It's official. The Sacramento River Cats' offense is MIA. After being shut-out in Game One, the River Cats managed only two runs in Game Two and now find themselves one loss away from ending the season without their third straight PCL crown after losing Game Two, 3-2.

Starter Chad Reineke was solid but he was the tough-luck loser on Wednesday night. He allowed three runs in 5.2 innings with eight strike-outs. He left the game with Sacramento down, 3-2. Relievers John Meloan and Kevin Cameron gave Sacramento a chance to mount a comeback by combining for 2.1 scoreless innings, but it wasn't enough.

Sacramento managed only five hits and a two-run Chris Denorfia single in the fifth inning. Denorfia's single briefly gave Sacramento a 2-1 lead, their first of the series, but it was short-lived.

The River Cats now head back to Sacramento, where they will have to win three straight to earn the title.