Midland Pushes Frisco to the Brink

MIDLAND, TEXAS (SEPTEMBER 4, 2014) - A decisive solo home run by Matt Chapman tipped the scales in favor of the Midland RockHounds, who took game three in the Texas League South Division Championship Series 3-2 and own a commanding 2-1 series lead over the Frisco RoughRiders.

With the loss, Frisco needs to win in Midland to extend its season. Right-hander Jake Thompson gets the ball for the RoughRiders in an elimination game Saturday at Security Bank Ballpark.

Midland will start Harvard-educated Shawn Haviland in their quest to advance to the Texas League Championship for the first time since 2010.

Midland struck first for the second straight night. After starting pitcher Alec Asher (0-1) retired the first four batters of his outing, the right-hander allowed four straight base hits and the RockHounds took a 2-0 lead.

A pair of new RockHounds drove in the first two runs of game three. Daniel Robertson, a call-up from Advanced-A Stockton, singled in his Double-A debut. Stockton was recently eliminated from the California League playoffs and the A's assigned Robertson to Midland as an injury replacement for Hiro Nakajima. Nakajima broke his wrist in game one.

Chapman, another fresh face, made the RoughRiders pay on an RBI double in the second. The third baseman was reassigned from Low-A Beloit when Jefry Marte landed on the disabled list with an oblique injury on the final day of the regular season.

The 'Riders marked the scoreboard and later tied the game thanks to the production of Odubel Herrera. The Texas League batting champion doubled in the third and later scored on an error by first baseman Max Muncy. Herrera broke for third on a groundball from Patrick Cantwell. After Muncy forced out Cantwell, he airmailed a throw across the diamond into the seats in an attempt to register a double play.

Herrera later tied the game in the top of the seventh on a slap single to left field that scored Jake Skole from third.

However, the RoughRiders could not overtake Midland and left two men in scoring position. They would rue the missed opportunity.

Asher had allowed three baserunners after a shaky second inning and took the hill in the seventh of a new ballgame.

But Chapman plagued the RoughRiders yet again and rocked a payoff pitch from Asher out of the yard to put the RockHounds right back on top 3-2. Chapman finished 2-for-3 at the plate with a double, a home run and two RBI.

Frisco's last chance in the ninth inning came to end when Hanser Alberto lined into a game-ending double play. Jose Flores notched a save for the second night in a row.

The RoughRiders will play for their season in game four of the South Division Championship Series on Saturday at Security Bank Ballpark. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. and coverage begins with the Frisco RoughRiders Pregame Show at 6:40 p.m. on www.ridersbaseball.com. For tickets to see the 'Riders in 2014, call 972-731-9200, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.ridersbaseball.com.