Mendez mows down Missions, but Riders' win streak ends
FRISCO, TEXAS (July 18, 2016) - Despite a dominant start from Yohander Mendez, the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, were on the short side of a 4-3 contest against the San Antonio Missions Monday night at Dr Pepper Ballpark.
The 21-year-old lefty retired each of the first 14 batters he faced, seeing his perfect game bid end on a two-out single from Luis Tejada in the fifth. For the first time in eight starts with the RoughRiders, Mendez (4-1) worked past the fifth inning and finished with a career-high-tying six innings of work. In that span, he allowed three runs, two earned, on three hits, while striking out seven batters without issuing a walk.
The big blemish of his outing came in the sixth, when Jose Rondon tied the game at 2-2 on a two-run triple. Rondon came around to score on the play after the relay throw from Ronald Guzman was wide of third base, allowing the go-ahead run to score for the Missions (33-61 overall, 11-13 second half). Guzman committed another error in the ninth, allowing San Antonio to take a 4-2 lead.
The RoughRiders (48-45, 10-14) got a run back in the ninth on an RBI double from Joe Jackson, who finished 2-for-3. However, Missions closer Jason Jester recorded three straight outs to strand Jackson and record his 14th save. Tejada made a diving catch in left field to end the game.
Frisco scored two early runs against starter Dinelson Lamet (3-4). Ryan Cordell brought in his league-leading 62nd run on a fielder's choice to start the scoring, and Alberto Triunfel gave the Riders a 2-0 lead with a sacrifice fly in the second. Lamet picked up the win, throwing 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball.
With the loss, the RoughRiders saw their four-game winning streak end. Additionally, Guzman's 16-game hitting streak was snapped, although he walked twice to extend his on-base streak to 17 games. He and Isiah Kiner-Falefa have both reached base safely in 17 consecutive games.
The Riders take on the Missions in game three of the four-game set at Dr Pepper Ballpark Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Lefty Frank Lopez (4-4, 5.09 ERA) is set to make the start against righty Walker Lockett (0-0, -.-- ERA), who is scheduled to make his Double-A debut. Live coverage can be heard on the Frisco RoughRiders Radio Network, on the TuneIn Radio App, and the MiLB First Pitch App with the Dr Pepper Pregame Show at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday's game is another Taco Tuesday at Dr Pepper Ballpark, featuring $2 tacos throughout the game, along with select beers for $3 and half-price margaritas, both from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tickets for Tuesday's game and other remaining home games are available 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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