Perez Slam Guides Cardinals Past 'Riders
Making his second Double-A start for the 'Riders, Cody Buckel (0-2) encountered trouble in the second inning. Following a single by Jamie Romak and a fielder's choice, Jake Shaffer added a base hit, and Xavier Scruggs walked to load the bases. Facing Audry Perez, Buckel jumped ahead in the count, but the Cards catcher hammered the 0-1 pitch over the rightfield wall for a grand slam.
In the top of the fourth the 'Riders got one run back. With two outs Chris McGuiness singled, and moved to second on an error by Cards shortstop Greg Garcia. Jared Hoying followed with a base hit to make it 4-1.
Springfield and Frisco traded runs over the fifth and sixth, as Oscar Taveras and Ryan Strausborger tallied RBI's on a pair of groundouts. Mike Olt set the table for the 'Riders, doubling off Seth Maness (4-1).
Taveras added his second RBI in the bottom of the seventh, while the trio of Deryk Hooker, Jorge Rondon, and Justin Wright tossed three innings of scoreless relief.
Seth Maness picked up his fourth victory as a member of the Cardinals, tossing six innings and allowing two runs (one earned). He scattered six hits and struck out three. Cody Buckel suffered his second loss as a member of the RoughRiders. The right-hander gave up six runs (five earned) on six hits, walked two, and struck out five.
Frisco plays the second of three games against Springfield Saturday night. Nick Tepesch (1-0, 2.45) gets the start for the RoughRiders, he will be opposed by fellow right-hander Scott McGregor (0-0, 13.50). First pitch is slated for 6:08, and can be heard on KKGM 1630 AM or on ridersbaseball.com. Pre-game coverage begins at 5:30.
The RoughRiders return home on July 5 when the Springfield Cardinals visit Dr Pepper Ballpark. To purchase tickets, fans can visit the box office, or buy online at ridersbaseball.com.