Riders blanked in series opener at Tulsa
TULSA, OKLA. (May 24, 2016) - Despite a quality start from Connor Sadzeck, the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, lost their series opener against the Tulsa Drillers, 3-0 Tuesday night at ONEOK Field.
Sadzeck (5-1) went seven innings and gave up just five hits while striking out five batters. However, he was outdueled by Chase De Jong (4-4) for the Drillers (21-23).
De Jong pitched seven scoreless, two-hit innings and struck out six Riders (30-14) hitters without issuing a walk. Frisco's best chance to get on the board came in the top of the fifth when Ronald Guzman led off the inning with a triple. However, De Jong struck out the side to leave Guzman stranded at third base, and then retired the next six batters to conclude his brilliant start.
After three scoreless frames against Sadzeck, the Drillers (21-23) got to the right-hander in the fourth inning. Cody Bellinger was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and Alex Verdugo scored on a wild pitch to bring in a pair of runs. Spectacular catches by center fielder Ryan Cordell and left fielder Zach Cone prevented any more Tulsa baserunners from crossing home in the fourth.
Willie Calhoun drove in the third run of the game for the Drillers in the sixth with a single to center field. Calhoun leads Tulsa with 26 RBI this season.
Despite runners in each of the final two innings, the Riders failed to score against the Drillers in the final two frames, getting shut out for just the third time the season.
The Riders continue their three-game series Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Southpaw Victor Payano (4-1, 3.40 ERA) will head to the mound for Frisco, working against Tulsa righty Tim Shibuya (0-1, 0.69 ERA). 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 5:55 p.m.
The RoughRiders return home next Tuesday, May 31 to begin a six-game homestand against the Tulsa Drillers and the Springfield Cardinals. The homestand includes Superhero Night on Saturday, June 4th. Tickets for that game and the other games on 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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