RockHounds Rally Late but Come Up Short

By Bob Hards

May 15, 2018

A fast start and a two-inning, five-strikeout save pushed the Frisco RoughRiders past the RockHounds, 5-4, Tuesday night at Security Bank Ballpark.
The Riders scored four runs in the first inning, three on a home run down the left field line off the bat of Michael O'Neill. The home run was disputed at length by 'Hounds manager Scott Steinmann, who felt the drive was a foul ball.
Frisco added an unearned run in the second, and that run would provide the winning margin.
RoughRiders starter Wes Benjamin, who had combined with three relievers to shut the RockHounds out May 8 at Frisco, went four more scoreless innings before the RockHounds broke through in the fifth. Richie Martin's single to left was followed by RBI doubles from J.P. Sportman and Santiago Chávez, trimming the lead to 5-2.
Chavez' leadoff double in the seventh triggered another two-run rally as the 'Hounds drew to within one run at 5-4.
Reed Garrett pitched the eighth and ninth for the save, countering a leadoff single in the eighth and a two-out walk in the ninth by striking out five batters, including three K's in the ninth.

Notables
In two starts against the RockHounds, Wes Benjamin allowed no runs on six hits over 10-and-a-third innings. The 'Hounds then scored two runs on three (consecutive) hits in the fifth inning Tuesday night against the Riders lefty.
Eli White extended his on-base streak to 20 games and did in with a "flair for the dramatic." He came to the plate in the eighth inning 0-for-3 and was down 0-2 in the count to Reed Garrett. After fouling off three, two-strike pitches, he sent a 1-2 pitch back up the middle for a single.
In the 20-gamer, Eli is (22-73, .301 with a .427 OBP).
Richie Martin (1-for-4, run) has reached base in 11 straight games (with hits in 10 of the 11), going 14-for-41 (.341), with three doubles, a triple, a home run and four RBI (four walks). Half of his 14 have been for extra bases.
Tyler Ramirez has reached base in 17-of-18 games (21-63, .333) with five double, a triple, two home runs and 11 RBI (also see below).
Brett Vertigan (1-for-4, walk) has reached base in 23-of-24 games (22-87. .253) with 19 walks, 12 strikeouts and one hit by pitch (.393 OBP).
Seth Brown has now hit in 13-of-15 games (21-60, .350) with three doubles, one triple, two home runs and 10 RBI.
Santiago Chavez (2-for-4, two doubles, run, RBI) has reached base in each of the nine games in which he's played. He also was a perfect 3-for-3 in throwing out would-be base stealers Tuesday night. For the season, Santiago has nine caught stealing in 10 attempts.
Completely Useless But Kinda Cool Stat(s)
Tyler Ramirez' second-inning error on Michael DeLeon's single to left field was just the third of his career (227 games) and his first since September 2, 2016 (with Vermont Lake Monsters of the Short-A New York-Penn League).

Next Game
Wednesday, May 16   vs. Frisco RoughRiders
Security Bank Ballpark           6:30 p.m. (Gates open at 6:00)
- Third of a four-game series and an eight-game homestand (see below)
- Radio: NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 6:15 p.m.
Probable Starters
FRI: Pedro Payano    (RH, 1-3, 6.23)
RH: Kyle Friedrichs (RH, 2-2, 8.33)
The Homestand at Security Bank Ballpark
May 16 & 17 vs. Frisco RoughRiders & May 18-21 vs. San Antonio Missions
Includes Thirsty Thursday (May 17) … Replica Bobble Trophies (Friday, May 18)
Fireworks (Saturday, May 19) and Safety Awareness / Kids Day (Monday, May 21 at 11:00 a.m.)