Guzman's big night ignites Riders comeback in Corpus Christi

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (July 24, 2016) - Fueled by a season-high four RBI from Ronald Guzman, the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, stormed back to knock off the Corpus Christi Hooks 7-6 Sunday night at Whataburger Field.

With the RoughRiders trailing 5-1 after five innings, Guzman ignited the offense with a two-run homer to left field, his 15th. In the seventh, with the game tied 5-5, Guzman drove in two more runs with a single. On the day, Guzman finished 3-for-5 at the plate and came an RBI short of his career-high of five, set last season.

Luis Marte wrapped up a spectacular series with another tremendous performance. Marte went 2-for-4, including the game-tying home run during a four-run sixth inning. He also drove in a run in the first inning with a single. He concluded the four-game series with a 10-for-19 mark at the plate, including a double, two home runs, and nine RBI. He's posted five straight multi-hit performances.

After taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning, the RoughRiders fell behind 5-1. The Hooks did most of their damage in a three-run fourth inning, which included a two-run triple from Mott Hyde.

Frisco only got one inning out of starter Yohander Mendez, who was ejected after hitting Corpus Christi's Danry Vasquez with his first toss of the second inning. Vasquez, along with Corpus Christi's Ramon Laureano, were also ejected as part of the fracas.

In the absence of Mendez, the RoughRiders got three innings from Jose Monegro and 2 2/3 from Jose Valdespina (4-1) before John Fasola came on and retired all seven batters he faced to earn his fourth save of the year.

Frisco's road trip continues in Midland Monday with game one of a three-game set against the first-place RockHounds at 6:30 p.m. Ariel Jurado (0-0, -.-ERA), the Rangers No. 12 prospect (MLBPipeline.com), is slated to make his Double-A debut for the RoughRiders, working against Midland's Joel Seddon (4-8, 5.27 ERA). 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 5:55 p.m.

The RoughRiders return home to Dr Pepper Ballpark for a seven-game homestand against the San Antonio Missions and the Midland RockHounds beginning Thursday, July 28. The homestand is highlighted by Ghostbusters Tribute Night on Friday, July 29. On Saturday, July 30, the RoughRiders host Faith Night and will give away Bull Moose bobbleheads. The homestand also includes Back to School Night with a Back to School Backpack Giveaway on Sunday, July 31. Tickets for the upcoming homestand 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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