Longest game in 'Riders history nets sixth straight win

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (APRIL 18, 2013) - The Frisco RoughRiders extended their winning streak to six games in the longest game in team history, besting the Corpus Christi Hooks 4-2 in seventeen innings at Whataburger Field Thursday night. Utility infielder Guilder Rodriguez collected his first career win after Frisco picked up two runs in the top of the seventeenth inning.

The first third of the regulation innings moved along with both starting pitchers cruising through the first nine outs. Neil Ramirez for Frisco retired the first nine batters he faced with five strikeouts. Corpus Christi's Jake Buchanan allowed a couple singles, but got through the first three unscathed.  

Ramirez ran into trouble in the fourth inning. The first three baserunners reached; Austin Wates doubled, and then Ramirez walked back-to-back batters to load the bases. He walked Jonathan Meyer for the first run of the game but it came around strikeouts of Michael Burgess and Drew Muren before he induced a groundout from Enrique Hernandez. The bases were left loaded, and the damage limited to just one run.

Ramirez pieced together an effective fifth inning to finish his night.

Carlos Quevedo took over in the sixth, and Frisco (9-4) scratched a run off of him. Odubel Herrera lined a ball into left to score Hanser Alberto and tie the game at 1-1.

Enrique Hernandez tagged a solo shot off of Frisco reliever Tyler Tufts in the seventh, just the second hit of the game for the Corpus Christi (7-6), to retake the lead at 2-1 Hooks.

After Quevedo, Corpus Christi's bullpen held the lead until the ninth. Closer Jason Stoffel blew the save when Brett Nicholas launched his third homer of the year off the right field foul pole to tie the game at 2-2.

Neither team scored for the next seven innings, frames that included a bases-loaded, one-out jam for 'Riders reliever Ryan Rodebaugh and a scoreless inning posted by the utility infielder Rodriguez.

In the 17th Frisco finally broke the tie. Tomas Telis led off the inning with a single off of Pat Urckfitz. Alejandro Selen laid down a successful sacrifice bunt to move Telis to second who stole third during the next at-bat. Alberto bounced a ball to third and third baseman Jonathan Meyer hit Telis on the throw home, allowing the 'Riders catcher to finally break the 2-2 tie. Jared Hoying added to the lead two batters later, as he knocked in Alberto to give Frisco a 4-2 advantage.

Ben Rowen netted his first save of the season with a perfect 17th inning. Making his third career appearance and first of the season, Rodriguez (1-0) picked up his first career victory. Urckfitz took the loss (1-1).

The game was the longest in team history; the previous record came on June 11, 2006 when Frisco beat Midland 12-11 at Dr Pepper Ballpark in 16 innings. With the win, Frisco stays in first place in the Texas League, one game ahead of Midland.

The RoughRiders continue the road series Friday against the Corpus Christi Hooks at 7:05 p.m. at Whataburger Field. Kevin Pucetas (2-0, 1.46 ERA) gets the ball for Frisco. The Hooks counter with Bobby Doran (1-0, 3.27 ERA).  Fans can tune in to the play-by-play broadcast on www.RidersBaseball.com beginning at 6:40.\

 Frisco will return to Dr Pepper Ballpark Friday, April 26 at 7 p.m. when they host Corpus Christi.  For information on tickets to see the RoughRiders in 2013, please call (972) 731-9200, email [email protected] or visit www.ridersbaseball.com.