Long Wait ... Tough Night

Frisco RoughRiders 5, RockHounds 2

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Riders Field Frisco, TX

The last time the RockHounds were on the diamond was September of 2019. More than 600 days later, it took just one inning to seal the ‘Hounds’ fate on Opening Night, 2021.

Frisco scored three times in the first inning Tuesday night and the “hat trick” would be the difference as the RoughRiders went on to a 5-2 win at Riders field in the Metroplex.

Sherten Apostle’s two-run double (just inches from a home run) was the key swing of the bat in first-inning rally and the Riders never trailed.

The RockHounds cut the margin to 4-2 in the seventh on RBI’s from Collin Theroux (single) and Nick Allen (sac fly) but Frisco answered with an “ugly” run (meaning absolutely no disrespect) in the home half of the inning, scoring by means of three walks, two hit batsmen, three stolen bases and a wild pitch.

Jonah Bride reached base in 3-of-4 trips to the plate for the RockHounds and scored a run. On the hill, Eric Mariñez retired all five batters he faced out of the bullpen, including one strikeout. Eric was, technically, making his class Double-A debut, but he appeared briefly with the RockHounds in the 2019 Texas League playoffs. The right-hander, a native of the Dominican Republic, is a former position player and has only been pitching since 2017.

Kibbles & Bits

The game marked the managerial debut of Bobby Crosby. The 2004 American League Rookie of the Year is both a former RockHounds player and coach. Bobby hit .281 with seven home runs and 31 RBI in 59 games here in 2002 on his way to the Show with Oakland. He began his coaching career as a member of Scott Steinmann’s staff in 2019, helping guide the RockHounds to the Texas League playoffs. Bobby had been set to manage the Stockton Ports of the (Advanced-A) California League in 2020 before the season was shelved.

Tuesday was Opening Night across Minor League Baseball’s new “landscape.” Major League Baseball has re-structured in developmental system, which now includes 120 full-season teams (down from 160). Each big league team has four full-season affiliates - - Triple-A, Double-A, High-A and Low-A (Short-Season Single-A has been eliminated, although clubs still have rookie level affiliates in either Arizona or Florida, but those teams do not travel).

Next Game

Wednesday, May 5 vs. Frisco RoughRiders

Riders Field Frisco, Texas

First pitch 7:05 p.m.

• Second of a six-game series and road trip

Probable Starters

FRI: Jake Latz (LH)

RH: Brady Feigl (RH)

Next at Rocky Town

The RockHounds open their home season on Tuesday, May 11, at Momentum Bank Ballpark, hosting the San Antonio Missions in a six-game series, Tuesday-Sunday (May 11-16).

The homestand includes Thirsty Thursday (May 13) … Bucket Hat night (Friday) … Fireworks (Saturday) … Women’s Visors (Sunday) and more … check the Rockhounds web site for more!