R I S P = Runners In Stationary Position

'Hounds edge Frisco to end three-game slide

By Bob Hards

July 25, 2016

It's one of the key statistics for any team, collectively, and any hitter, individually. How you do with "R.I.S.P." ... runners in scoring position?

The answer to that question on Monday, for both teams, was "not very well." The Frisco RoughRiders and the RockHounds went a combined 2-for-20 with RISP, adding a level of frustration to an otherwise well-played Texas League game, one in which the 'Hounds captured by a score of 2-1.

The Riders' lone hit with runners at second or third came in the third inning. Lewis Brinson doubled with the bases empty and two out and Andy Ibanez ripped the next delivery to left for an RBI single.

The RockHounds' first three hits of the game came in succession in the fourth. Beau Taylor led off with a base knock against the shift, sending a single through the vacated third base position. Tyler Marincov doubled to deep right field and Matt Chapman followed with the RockHounds' only run-producing hit of the game, a sharp single to left, scoring Taylor to tie the game at 1-1 (Chapman's 62nd RBI, third in the league). Viosergy Rosa's RBI fielder's choice then brought Marincov home with what would be the final (and winning) run of the game.

As the "RISP" numbers would attest, both clubs had scoring chances well beyond the final score. The RoughRiders had two men on base with no outs in both the seventh and eighth innings, but were denied by reliever Sam Bragg in both frames.

Joel Seddon (see "Stat of the Day," below) pitched one batter into the seventh to earn his fifth win, with Bragg escaping the two jams to go two scoreless innings for a hold, and Kyle Finnegan pitching the ninth to earn his second save of the season.

The RockHounds

… are 20-11 in the second half and 53-48 overall ... snapped a three-game slide … are 29-23 at Security Bank Ballpark and 24-25 on the road … are 7-10 in the season series with Frisco (3-6 at Security Bank Ballpark and 4-4 at Dr Pepper Ballpark … are 32-33 vs. the South.

... continue to lead San Antonio (16-15) by four games in the Texas League South Division second half race. The Missions stayed hot, defeating Corpus Christi, 10-4 (the win was just San Antonio's third in 17 games versus the Hooks in 2016). First half champion Corpus Christi (14-17) is now six games back with the RoughRiders (13-18) now seven behind the RockHounds.

... are home, but not for long! The 'Hounds host the Frisco RoughRiders on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. each night at Security Bank Ballpark. Following the short stay at Rocky Town, the 'Hounds travel to Corpus Christi (July 28-31) and Frisco (August 1-3) on a seven-game road swing.

Kibbles & Bits

STAT of the DAY: Joel Seddon's remarkable turnaround in 2016 continued on Monday night as the right-hander went six-plus innings, allowing seven hits, but only one run (earned). He walked one and hit one batsman while striking out three. Since opening the season 0-2, with a 17.69 earned run average through three games (and an ERA still at double digits through his first six appearances), Seddon is 5-6 with a 3.78 ERA in his last 16 starts and is 4-2 with a 1.13 ERA, in his last six trips to the hill.

- Frisco's Andy Ibanez went 2-for-3, with the Riders' only run batted in, plus a double and a pair of perfect sacrifice bunts.

- The Riders' Ariel Jurado made his Double-A debut on the mound and went six innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one batter. The 20-year-old from Panama is rated the Texas Rangers' # 19 prospect by Baseball America.

- Like Jurado, tomorrow's RockHounds starter, Heath Fillmyer, opened the season in the (Advanced-A) California League and was among that league's top 10 in ERA. Fillmyer makes his second start at the Double-A level after a solid outing July 21 at San Antonio (no decision in a 4-2 win).