Latz brilliant, Riders take opener over Amarillo

FRISCO, Texas (June 1, 2021) – The Frisco RoughRiders pitched their way to a 4-1 win over the Amarillo Sod Poodles on Tuesday night from Riders Field.

Riders (15-9) lefty Jake Latz was dazzling in his start, allowing just one run on three hits over six innings while tying a career high with 11 strikeouts. Joe Gatto (1-1) earned the win with a scoreless inning in relief, Noah Bremer threw a shutout frame and Cole Uvila collected his league-best fifth save with a perfect ninth.

On offense, Steele Walker gave the Riders a 1-0 lead when he hammered a solo home run, his team-high fourth of the season.

Amarillo (11-14) tied the game at a run apiece in the sixth on a Jake McCarthy solo shot, but the Riders came back with three runs in the seventh to take the lead.

Elier Hernandez untied the game with an RBI single before Walker scored on a throwing error by the catcher. Matt Whatley capped the scoring with an RBI single to make it 4-1.

Despite a strong outing, Humberto Mejia (0-4) was handed the loss after throwing 6.1 innings, allowing all four runs.

The Riders continue their six-game series against the Sod Poodles with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch on Wednesday, June 2nd. RHP Cole Winn (1-0, 2.08) starters for Frisco against RHP Luis Frias (1-1, 4.30). It is Weiner Wednesday featuring $2 hot dogs, presented by Texas Chili Company. For tickets and more information on the Frisco RoughRiders, visit us at RidersBaseball.com or call 972.334.1993.

About the RoughRiders

The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. The team was founded in 2003 and has finished first among all Double-A franchises in attendance in each of the last 15 seasons (2005-2019). In August 2014, the RoughRiders were purchased by an ownership group led by Chuck Greenberg. Since then, the new ownership group, together with the City of Frisco, has spearheaded numerous major franchise enhancements, investing over $8 million in a wide array of facility upgrades and improvements, including a state-of-the-art HD video board, sound system, Bull Moose Saloon, InTouch Grille, Riders Outpost Team Store and the world's largest water feature in a sports facility, the massive Lazy River. These enhancements earned the Riders and the City of Frisco Ballpark Digest's prestigious "Best Ballpark Renovation" award for two consecutive years (2015 and 2016). More than 160 former RoughRiders players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including current Rangers players Jose Trevino, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Joey Gallo. For more information on the Frisco RoughRiders, please visit RidersBaseball.com or contact [email protected]