Frisco falls in season finale

FINAL	R	H	E	LOB
Frisco (31-39, 70-70)	3	9	1	8
Midland (29-41, 62-78)	5	7	0	7

 

WP: Drew Granier (3-6)

LP: Alex Claudio (1-5)

SV: Jesus Castillo (1)

 

FRI HR: None

MID HR: Vinnie Catricala (4, 3rd inning off Eickhoff)

 

MIDLAND, TEXAS (SEPTEMBER 2, 2013) - On the final day of the regular season, the Frisco RoughRiders were beat by the Midland RockHounds by a 5-3 score at Citibank Ballpark. The loss capped off the season for the RoughRiders, who finished with a 70-70 record and did not earn a postseason berth.

The 'Riders (31-39, 70-70) left three on base in the first two innings, but came through with a clutch hit to open the scoring in the third inning. After back-to-back singles to begin the inning, Chih-Hsien Chiang produced a two-out, two-run base knock to give the 'Riders a 2-0 lead after two and a half frames.

Frisco starter Jerad Eickhoff faced the minimum in his first two innings against the Midland (29-41, 62-78) bats. In the third, however, the Hounds dented the scoreboard when Vinnie Catricala blasted a solo home run to left field, cutting the lead to 2-1. Eickhoff then walked consecutive batters, setting things up for Jefry Marte, who plated two runs with a single to give Midland their first lead at 3-2.

Midland couldn't hold the lead for long. Luis Sardinas bounced into a fielder's choice, scoring Teodoro Martinez from third base in the top of the fourth to tie the game at 3-3.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the sixth inning. Alex Claudio had tossed a clean fifth for the 'Riders in relief of Eickhoff. He walked the leadoff man, Josh Whitaker, to begin the sixth. With one down in the inning, Claudio walked another man. Beau Taylor struck out looking, but on the third strike, both runners stole. The throw from the catcher Tomas Telis to third base was not handled, and the ball went into left field. Whitaker scored on the play to break the tie, and Vinnie Catricala, moved down to third base. With two down, Connor Crumbliss singled home Catricala to give the RockHounds some insurance with a 5-3 lead.

The 'Riders got a one-out double from Brett Nicholas but could not score in the seventh. It was the final baserunner they mustered on the season, and the team failed to rally from the 5-3 deficit.

Drew Granier (3-6), the Midland starter, earned the win. Alex Claudio (1-5), who gave up two runs in the sixth inning, suffered the defeat. Jesus Castillo (1) pitched the ninth for his first Texas League save this season.

Sunday's game wrapped up the regular season for the RoughRiders; they will not be competing in the postseason. Texas League postseason play begins on Wednesday. Corpus Christi will host San Antonio, and the Arkansas Travelers will visit Tulsa to take on the Drillers.