Dramatic five-run rally sends Riders to fifth-straight win
FRISCO, TEXAS (April 29, 2016) - Trailing 7-3 after seven innings, the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, mounted a dramatic comeback with a five-run eighth inning to defeat the Corpus Christi Hooks, 8-7, in dramatic fashion Friday night at Dr Pepper Ballpark.
Facing Astros no. 2 prospect Francis Martes (1-2) in the decisive eighth inning, the Riders (16-4) gradually pieced a rally together, working to overcome a deficit built by a grand slam from Chase McDonald in the seventh that put Corpus Christi (9-11) up, 7-3.
The rally started with three straight hitters reaching, including Zach Cone on an RBI double. Two batters later, Isiah Kiner-Falefa tripled in two runs to make it 7-6, before Major League rehabber Chris Gimenez singled in the tying run.
With Martes out of the game, Lewis Brinson reached on a fielder's choice and scored the go-ahead run on an RBI single from Ryan Cordell, who extended his hitting streak to 15 games and his on-base streak to 20 in the process.
The final three innings were the conclusion of a back-and-forth affair all night long. After an RBI double by Ronald Guzman gave the Riders a 2-1 lead in the first, the two teams were tied at two after three innings and were deadlocked at three after six, before McDonald's grand slam put the Hooks ahead, 7-3.
Right-handed pitcher Cody Palmquist (1-0), who worked a scoreless eighth inning, stayed on in the ninth and loaded the bases with two outs. The righty, however, who was making his Double-A debut, struck out J.D Davis to end the game.
The RoughRiders now have the best 20-game start in team history at 16-4, surpassing the 2008 squad that began 15-5. Friday's win was also the fifth straight for Frisco, and the fourth straight one-run win.
The Riders continue their eight-game homestand Saturday night against Corpus Christi. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., and left-hander Frank Lopez (2-0, 3.32 ERA) will make the start for the Riders. Fans can watch the action on MiLB.TV and live coverage can be heard on the Frisco RoughRiders Radio Network, on the TuneIn Radio App, and the MiLB First Pitch App. Dr Pepper Pregame Show coverage begins at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday is Bark in the Park, sponsored by Muenster Pet Foods and presented by VCA Animal Hospital. For the first time this year, fans can bring their dogs to the park and enjoy Riders baseball on the berm next to their furry friends. The first 500 dogs through the gate will take home a dog bone bag dispenser. In addition, there will be a Saturday Post-Game Party with half-price drinks beginning in the ninth inning and live entertainment in the Bull Moose Saloon. Tickets for Friday's game, and the remaining games in the homestand are available now online at RidersBaseball.com, via email at [email protected], over the phone at (972) 731-9200, or in-person at the RoughRiders box office.
About the RoughRiders
The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play their games at beautiful Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. The team was founded in 2003 and has finished first among all Double-A franchises in attendance in each of the last 11 seasons (2005-2015). In August 2014, the RoughRiders were purchased by an ownership group led by Chuck Greenberg and Scott Sonju. The new ownership group, together with the city of Frisco, has spearheaded numerous major franchise improvements over the past two seasons, investing over $7 million in wide array of facility upgrades and improvements, including the new state-of-the-art HD video board, sound system, Bull Moose Saloon, InTouch Grille, Riders Outpost Team Store, and the newest and biggest creation, the 174-foot Choctaw Lazy River. The improvements made prior to the 2015 season earned the Riders and the City of Frisco "Best Ballpark Renovation" of 2015 by Ballpark Digest. More than 130 former RoughRiders players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including All-Stars Chris Davis, Elvis Andrus, Adrian Gonzalez, Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz, and C.J. Wilson as well as current Rangers stars Derek Holland, Rougned Odor, and Mitch Moreland. For more information on the Frisco RoughRiders and Dr Pepper Ballpark, please visit RidersBaseball.com or contact Nathan Barnett at (972) 334-1976 or via e-mail at [email protected].
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