Riders suffer first loss in series finale
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARK. (April 12, 2016) - The Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, suffered their first loss in a 6-3 defeat against the Arkansas Travelers Tuesday at Dickey-Stephens Park.
Arkansas starter Kyle McGowin (1-1) contained the RoughRiders (5-1), allowing just four hits over his seven innings of work, allowing just one run, two walks and recording seven strikeouts in the victory. He didn't let a runner into scoring position until Preston Beck tripled with two outs in the fifth inning. Zach Cone's RBI single in the seventh inning provided the only run against McGowin.
The Travelers (2-4), meanwhile, had no issue scoring against RoughRiders starting pitcher Jose Leclerc (0-1). They put up two runs in the first inning and did the same thing in the third. Eric Aguilera provided three of the first four RBI for Arkansas, and finished the day 3-for-4 with three singles.
Leclerc allowed another run in the fourth inning and finished with four innings of work, six hits, five runs, three walks and two strikeouts. Juan Grullon relieved him and allowed the final run of the day in the fifth.
After Cone's RBI single in the seventh, the Riders tacked on two more runs in the eighth, courtesy of an RBI double by Luis Marte and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Lewis Brinson. But unlike they did Sunday, the RoughRiders were unable to complete the comeback against the Travelers. Kellin Deglan, who entered the day 0-for-9, finished 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored.
The RoughRiders finished the season-opening road trip with a 5-1 start and have the top record in the Texas League through six games. Frisco takes an off day Wednesday before opening their 2016 home schedule at Dr Pepper Ballpark on Thursday against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Opening Night will be the first Thirsty Thursday of the season with $1 domestic draft beers, $2 craft and import beers, and $1 Dr Pepper Products from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The first 2,000 fans to enter the ballpark will receive a 2016 RoughRiders schedule magnet and after the game, everyone in attendance will be invited onto the field to watch an incredible post-game fireworks show.
First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m., with gates opening at 5:30. Left-hander Frank Lopez (1-0, 0.00 ERA) is scheduled to start for the RoughRiders, against lefty Matt Strahm (0-0, 0.00 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 6:30 p.m.
Tickets 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 has spearheaded numerous major franchise improvements, from a completely new team identity to massive additions and upgrades to Dr Pepper Ballpark, including a giant new video board, sound system, sports bar, team store, improved food service and menu, and a complete overhaul of in-game entertainment. The improvements earned the Riders and the City of Frisco "Best Ballpark Renovation" of 2015 by Ballpark Digest in the under $6 million category. More than 130 former RoughRiders players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including All-Stars Chris Davis, Elvis Andrus, Adrian Gonzalez and Ian Kinsler. 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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