TEXAS LEAGUE BASEBALL: RockHounds use six-run surge to move past Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Mikey White’s three-run homer capped a six-run sixth inning and Edwin Diaz and Dairon Blanco also went deep Wednesday as the Midland RockHounds defeated Springfield 9-5 in Texas League action at Hammons Field.

The win puts Midland (32-32) in first place in the South Division with five games remaining in the first half. The RockHounds have won seven of their last eight after sitting in fourth place four games back on June 3.

The Cardinals (25-40) led 2-0 after four innings before Diaz hit a two-run home run to tie the game. Springfield regained the lead with two runs in the fifth before the RockHounds broke through in the sixth.

Diaz, who finished 2 for 4 with three RBIs, got the rally started with an RBI single. Collin Theroux and Kevin Merrell scored on a passed ball and fielding error, respectively, before White connected off Merandy Gonzalez (1-3).

Blanco, who went 2 for 3 and walked twice, homered in the ninth to cap the scoring.

Zack Erwin (4-2) recorded two outs in relief of starter Kyle Friedrichs for the win. Jesus Zambrano pitched four innings to earn his first save.