Eickhoff excellent over San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (APRIL 30, 2014) - Jerad Eickhoff pitched 7 1/3 innings and led the Frisco RoughRiders to a 2-1 victory over the San Antonio Missions at Wolff Stadium on Wednesday night.
In his first win since April 14, Eickoff allowed one unearned run on two hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. He threw the longest outing of any 'Riders pitcher this season, excluding Matt Harrison, who threw eight innings in a single game on April 19 as part of a major league rehab assignment.
Adys Portillo (0-1) suffered the loss for San Antonio. Portillo pitched in relief of starter Matt Wisler, tossed two innings and gave up one run on two hits. His only mistake came on a solo home run to Rougned Odor, which broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning.
Francisco Mendoza earned his third save of the season. The righty entered the game in the eighth inning with one out and a runner on first base. He retired all five batters he faced and picked up two strikeouts.
With the win, Frisco (17-9) evened the series, broke a two-game losing streak and remained atop the Texas League South Division by a half game over the Midland RockHounds.
San Antonio (10-15) saw its two-game winning streak end as they fall to 2-4 against the RoughRiders this season.
The second game of the four-game series distinguished itself starkly from the opener. On Tuesday, the teams combined for ten runs in the first three innings. Over the same span on Wednesday, both sides totaled two base hits and three baserunners.
Pitching contributed to the initial lack of offense. Wisler made his first appearance of the season against the RoughRiders. Baseball America rates the right-hander the highest pitching prospect in the Padres organization and Wisler lasted five innings on Wednesday with one run allowed on four hits, one walk and five strikeouts.
After consecutive losses in his last two appearances, Eickhoff emerged with his best outing of the season against the Missions and retired the first 11 men he faced.
The 'Riders struck first in the top of the fourth when Ryan Rua singled home Jake Smolinski to put Frisco up 1-0. It was the first run allowed by Wisler in San Antonio in 35 innings. Rua picked up his 15th RBI of the season and extended his on-base streak to 23 games.
In the bottom of the frame, Eickhoff gave up his first baserunner on a two-out walk to designated hitter Robert Kral. The next batter, Rymer Liriano, lofted a ball to deep left field that popped out of Smolinski's glove for his first error of the season. Kral scored from first on an unearned run to tie the game at 1-1.
Liriano, the sixth-highest prospect in the Padres system per Baseball America, was caught stealing third base by catcher Tomás Telis to end the inning. Liriano protested the controversial call and third base umpire Bryan Fields ejected the center fielder from the game. Lee Orr replaced him in the order.
Odor broke the tie in the sixth. The second baseman broke through for his first homer in 70 at-bats and gave the RoughRiders a 2-1 lead. Odor's last home run left the yard on April 12 and his first of the season against the Missions gave the lefty four on the season.
Game three in the series between Frisco and San Antonio begins Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Coverage begins live on www.ridersbaseball.com at 6:40 p.m. with the Frisco RoughRiders Pregame Show. The team returns to Dr Pepper Ballpark on Saturday, May 3 and will welcome the Midland RockHounds to the Metroplex for the first time in 2014.
For tickets to see the 'Riders in 2014, call 972-731-9200, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.ridersbaseball.com.