Sadzeck, Riders shut out Hooks to snap skid
FRISCO, TEXAS (September 1, 2016) - Connor Sadzeck earned his 10th win of the season, and the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 3-0 victory over the Corpus Christi Hooks Thursday night at Dr Pepper Ballpark.
Sadzeck (10-8) tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings and struck out eight batters, while giving up just three hits. It was his first win since July 14, also against the Hooks. Sadzeck left with the bases loaded in the sixth, but Richelson Pena fanned Chase McDonald to preserve Frisco's 3-0 lead.
The Riders (61-73 overall, 23-42 second half) scored all three runs in the fourth inning after loading the bases with one out. Edwin Garcia hit an RBI infield single, which signaled the end of the night for Hooks (82-54, 35-31) starter Francis Martes (9-6). Andy Ibanez drew a bases-loaded walk against the reliever Ryan Deemes, and Joe Jackson drove in another run with a sacrifice fly; two of the three runs in the inning were unearned.
After Sadzeck departed, Pena retired all seven batters he faced, including a trio of strikeouts. Jefri Hernandez capped the shutout with a scoreless ninth inning to earn his first save of the year.
The Riders wrap up the four-game series Friday at 7:05 p.m. at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Southpaw Jack Snodgrass (3-1, 2.79 ERA) is scheduled to make the start for the Riders against righty Rogelio Armenteros (2-0, 0.69 ERA). Fans can watch on MiLB.tv (subscription required) or listen to the action live on the Frisco RoughRiders Radio Network, the TuneIn Radio App, and the MiLB First Pitch App. Live coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. with the Dr Pepper Pregame Show.
The Riders are transforming Dr Pepper Ballpark into the fair grounds Friday for State Fair of Texas Night. The first 500 fans through the home plate gate will receive a free ticket to the State Fair of Texas, which opens September 30. Five-time "Big Tex Award" winner Abel Gonzales, Jr., also known as "Fried Jesus", will be serving up fried, delectable goodies for fans of all ages. The RoughRiders players and coaches will also don unique State Fair of Texas-inspired uniforms that will be auctioned off to fans, with proceeds benefiting the Kids Shouldn't Have Cancer Foundation, in memory of Jonny Wade. Fans will be greeted by a familiar voice, as Bill Bragg, former voice of Big-Tex, will serve as the guest announcer for the night. Following the game, fans are invited on the field to watch a post-game fireworks show, presented by Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Frisco.
The homestand against the Hooks and Midland RockHounds runs through Monday, September 5. In addition to Friday's State Fair of Texas Night, the homestand also includes College Night, presented by Dr Pepper on Saturday, September 3. Tickets for each of the remaining five games on the homestand 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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