Payano hurls gem as Riders shut out Missions
SAN ANTONIO (May 3, 2016) - Victor Payano struck out a career-high 13 batters and led the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, to a 3-0 win over the San Antonio Missions Tuesday night at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium.
In 6 2/3 innings of work, Payano (3-0) held the Missions (9-16) scoreless, did not issue a walk, and surrendered just four hits. The southpaw struck out the side in the fifth and recorded two strikeouts in five different frames. In addition to being a career-high, Payano's 13 strikeouts were also the most by a Riders pitcher since Robbie Erlin fanned 14 batters against Corpus Christi on June 26, 2011.
Adam Parks and Matt Bush combined to keep San Antonio off the board for the final 2 1/3 innings after Payano exited the game. Parks allowed just one hit and struck out three, while Bush retired the side in order in the ninth to earn his fourth save of the season. Frisco is 8-for-9 in save situations this year.
Alex Burg drove in the first run of the game for Frisco (18-6) when Fabio Castillo (2-4) hit him with a pitch in the first inning while the bases were loaded. Burg added a second RBI in the ninth on left fielder Nick Torres' fielding error in the ninth. Zach Cone followed by plating Ronald Guzman on a fielder's choice for another insurance run that increased Frisco's lead to 3-0.
With the victory, the Riders improve to 5-0 against San Antonio this season. Frisco is also a perfect 8-0 in series openers.
The Riders will continue their four-game series in San Antonio Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. Reed Garrett (0-0, 3.09 ERA) is scheduled to make his second start for Frisco against Johnny Hellweg (1-3, 10.57 ERA). Live coverage can be heard on the Frisco RoughRiders Radio Network, on the TuneIn Radio App, and the MiLB First Pitch App. Dr Pepper Pregame Show coverage begins at 6:30 p.m.
On Saturday, May 7, the RoughRiders will return to Dr Pepper Ballpark for four games against the Midland RockHounds. Saturday night will also be Paint the Park Pink Night. Tickets for the next homestand are available now online at RidersBaseball.com, via email at [email protected], over the phone at (972) 731-9200, or in-person at the RoughRiders box office.
About the RoughRiders
The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play their games at beautiful Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. The team was founded in 2003 and has finished first among all Double-A franchises in attendance in each of the last 11 seasons (2005-2015). In August 2014, the RoughRiders were purchased by an ownership group led by Chuck Greenberg and Scott Sonju. The new ownership group, together with the city of Frisco, has spearheaded numerous major franchise improvements over the past two seasons, investing over $7 million in wide array of facility upgrades and improvements, including the new state-of-the-art HD video board, sound system, Bull Moose Saloon, InTouch Grille, Riders Outpost Team Store, and the newest and biggest creation, the 174-foot Choctaw Lazy River. The improvements made prior to the 2015 season earned the Riders and the City of Frisco "Best Ballpark Renovation" of 2015 by Ballpark Digest. More than 130 former RoughRiders players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including All-Stars Chris Davis, Elvis Andrus, Adrian Gonzalez, Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz, and C.J. Wilson as well as current Rangers stars Derek Holland, Rougned Odor, and Mitch Moreland. For more information on the Frisco RoughRiders and Dr Pepper Ballpark, please visit RidersBaseball.com or contact Nathan Barnett at (972) 334-1976 or via e-mail at [email protected].
###