Early deficit too much to overcome
MIDLAND, TEXAS (JUNE 17, 2014) - Three runs in the first inning by Midland put Frisco in too deep a hole, and although the RoughRiders outhit their opponent, the RockHounds prevailed by a 5-2 margin Tuesday night at Security Bank Ballpark.
The RoughRiders (0-1) outhit the RockHounds (1-0), but left 13 men on base and open the second half of the season in the same manner they ended the first: a loss to Midland. It marks the team's third three-game skid of the season (one in each month).
Midland (1-0) takes its first lead in the overall season series at eight games to seven.
Edwar Cabrera (3-4) took the loss after a mercurial outing. The lefty faced eight batters in the first inning but also faced the minimum three times. He pitched six innings with five runs allowed on six hits. Cabrera walked four and struck out three.
The 'Hounds capitalized on Cabrera's control issues in the early going and drew three walks in the first frame. Number one prospect (according to Baseball America) Addison Russell returned to the Midland lineup and doubled in a run to put his team up 1-0.
It was Russell's first Double-A game since he suffered a right hamstring tear on April 4. The shortstop showed his defensive acumen with an acrobatic tag of Odubel Herrera on a stolen base attempt in the fourth.
Anthony Aliotti once again proved problematic at the plate for the RoughRiders. His RBI double in the first put Midland up 3-0 and he blasted his second home run of the series in the fourth to place the 'Riders in a four-run hole.
The right fielder has knocked out six of his seven home runs this season against Frisco. Through three games in the series, the left-handed hitter is 7-for-11 with four runs, three doubles, two home runs, a walk and four RBI.
After Aliotti's solo shot in the fourth, Midland pushed its lead to five on an RBI single from nine-hitter Blake Forsythe.
Sean Murphy (1-0) earned the win in his 2014 Double-A debut. The right-hander danced out of danger in the first when the 'Riders left the bases loaded and again in the third when a Joey Gallo strikeout abandoned men on the corners. All told, Murphy pitched 5 2/3 innings and allowed one run on five hits with three walks and seven strikeouts.
A Herrera single to right in the sixth inning brought Tomás Telis home and put the 'Riders on the scoreboard for the first time in 18 innings.
Still mired in a four-run disadvantage, the 'Riders loaded the bases again in the eighth and illuminated the scoreboard thanks to an RBI sacrifice fly from Teodoro Martinez.
Jake Skole drew his second walk of the night to reload the bases, but Guilder Rodriguez flew out to center and Frisco left the pond full for the second time.
Seth Frankoff closed out the RoughRiders in the eighth and returned atop the hill to do the same in the ninth.
Although the 'Riders attempted a rally, Frankoff picked a sharp groundball from Ryan Rua and flipped to first to conclude the game with runners at bases one and three.
Frisco will try and stave off a four-game sweep at the paws of the RockHounds on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. CDT. Coverage begins at 6:10 p.m. on www.ridersbaseball.com with the Frisco RoughRiders Pregame Show.
The 'Riders next play at Dr Pepper Ballpark on Wednesday, June 25 against the Arkansas Travelers at 7:05 p.m. For tickets to see the 'Riders in 2014, call 972-731-9200, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.ridersbaseball.com.