Seventh inning tips the scale
MIDLAND, TEXAS (JULY 21, 2014) - The Frisco RoughRiders scored four runs on seven hits in the seventh inning to break open the game and secure a 6-1 victory over the Midland RockHounds on Monday night at Security Bank Ballpark.
The 'Riders lead 2-1 after six and beat up reliever Blake Hassebrock and sent nine men to the plate in the inning. Chris Grayson got the line moving with a leadoff single and proceeded to steal second. He later took third on a wild pitch from Hassebrock and scored when Patrick Cantwell shot one up the box to make the score 3-1.
After Odubel Herrera reached on a bunt, Trever Adams cleared the bags with his team-leading 11th home run of the season. The blast double the RoughRiders' run total and pushed the lead to 6-1.
Frisco racked up three more hits against Hassebrock in the seventh, but none scored. In any event, the damage was done and Midland did not threaten the rest of the way.
Alec Asher (8-9) rebounded with his finest outing of the month and earned the win. The Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Month in June notched his first win in July after three straight losses. The big right-hander tossed 7 1/3 innings and allowed one run on five hits and one walk with four strikeouts.
Midland starter Nate Long (8-6) suffered the loss and finished his outing with a line of two runs and nine hits allowed over six innings. The righty also walked a batter and struck out seven.
The RoughRiders had little trouble getting to Long early and registered multiple base hits in three of the first five innings. Scoring, however, was a different story.
On three separate occasions, the 'Riders had men in scoring position with less than two outs, but marked the run column only once in the game's first half.
A sharp infield single from Cantwell bounced off Midland third baseman Jefry Marte and brought Teodoro Martinez home to give the 'Riders a 1-0 lead in the fifth.
The run occurred after a moratorium on the field in which Midland's hitting coach Webster Garrison and field manager Aaron Nieckula were both ejected in a span of a few minutes.
Midland answered in the bottom half with its first multi-hit inning against Alec Asher. After a walk to Blake Forsythe loaded the bases with one out, a sacrifice fly from Connor Crumbliss tied the game at one run apiece.
But the RoughRiders grabbed the lead for good in the sixth. Joey Gallo drew a walk to open the frame and two batters later, a wall-ball double from Drew Robinson scored Gallo from first to make the score 2-1.
With the win, Frisco (56-43; 16-14) snaps a five-game losing streak at Security Bank Ballpark and wins its third straight game.
Midland (57-43; 19-11) holds a half-game lead over the 'Riders for the best overall record in the Texas League.
The two teams will reconvene Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. CDT for the first game of a doubleheader. Bad weather postponed a game between the 'Riders and RockHounds on June 18, and the twin bill will rectify the lost contest. Game two will commence 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. Coverage begins at 4:35 p.m. on www.ridersbaseball.com.
Frisco next returns to Dr Pepper Ballpark on Thursday, July 24 to begin a seven-game homestand. For tickets to see the 'Riders in 2014, call 972-731-9200, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.ridersbaseball.com.