Plus Plus Pitching
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (AUGUST 26, 2014) - Right-handed starting pitcher Mark Appel needed just one run of run support to secure his first career Double-A victory, and he got it in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Corpus Christi Hooks knocked off the Frisco RoughRiders 1-0 at Whataburger Field.
A duck-snort single to left by Colin Moran with two outs off Joseph Ortiz (0-2) plated Carlos Perdomo and interrupted a scoreless contest. It proved the winning run in a story dominated by pitching.
To borrow from a scouting term, the starting arms for both teams pitched at a "plus plus" level Tuesday night.
Appel, the first overall selection in the 2013 amateur draft, turned in the finest outing of his professional career and spun an eight-inning gem against the 'Riders in which he allowed no runs, two hits and one walk. The former Stanford Cardinal struck out ten batters as well.
The performance by Appel diminished the impact of Jake Thompson, even though the RoughRiders' lead pitcher turned in a fine outing of his own. The native of Rockwall, Texas did not factor into the decision and blanked the Hooks for 6 1/3 innings with six baserunners in that span (three walks and three singles).
Appel emerged from the dugout to start the ninth inning in search of the complete game shutout. He lasted just one batter into the frame however, as Hanser Alberto extended his hitting streak to ten straight with a leadoff double to left. The first hit allowed by Appel since the first inning ended his night.
After Teodoro Martinez grounded out to short, Hooks' closer Tyson Perez walked Jake Skole, who proceeded to steal second base to put two men in scoring position with one out for the 'Riders.
Perez rallied and struck out Jorge Alfaro for out number two. The Hooks intentionally walked Nick Williams to set up a force at any bag, but the tactic proved unnecessary as Trever Adams struck out to end the ballgame.
With the loss, Frisco (76-57; 36-28) has been blanked six times this season. The 'Riders have not scored against a starting pitcher through the first four games of the present road swing, a period of 27 innings.
Corpus Christi (64-70; 30-34) remains tough to beat at home and moves to 37-27 (18-10) at Whataburger Field this season.
The RoughRiders square off with the Hooks for game two in their four-game set Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. Coverage begins with the Frisco RoughRiders Pregame Show at 6:45 p.m. on www.ridersbaseball.com.
Frisco returns to Dr Pepper Ballpark on Saturday, August 30 for the final three games of the 2014 regular season. For tickets to see the 'Riders in 2014, call 972-731-9200, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.ridersbaseball.com.