Pena pitches 5 2/3 hitless innings in win
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARK. (April 11, 2016) - Richelson Pena carried a perfect game through 5 2/3 innings and, with help from the bullpen, the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, one-hit the Arkansas Travelers 1-0 Monday night at Dickey-Stephens Park.
The right-hander Pena (1-0) breezed past the first 17 hitters for Arkansas (1-4) he faced and induced nine groundouts, two popouts, and six strikeouts before walking Arkansas' Angel Rosa. Pena left the game at that point, having thrown 79 pitches (52 strikes).
Ronald Guzman offered the lone run support for Frisco (5-0) with a long solo home run to right field in the top of the sixth. It marked his first long ball of the year. Since starting the season 0-for-6, Guzman is 8-for-15 in his last three games with three RBI.
While Frisco failed to add any more runs, the bullpen made sure Arkansas stayed quiet at the plate. Reed Garrett worked 2 1/3 scoreless innings, and Matt Bush worked a scoreless ninth inning to lock down his second save of the year. RoughRiders pitching has worked 18 consecutive scoreless innings, with the last run scored coming in the third inning of Sunday's series opener against the Travelers.
Frisco's victory puts the squad in exclusive company, joining the 2008 Riders with the best start to a season in team history at 5-0. They can set the record themselves Tuesday morning in the final game of the season-opening road trip. First pitch is set for 11:00 a.m., and right-hander Jose Leclerc (0-0, -.-- ERA) is scheduled to make his first start of the season. Arkansas will counter with righty Kyle McGowin (0-1, 33.75 ERA). Live coverage from Dickey-Stephens Park 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 10:25 a.m.
The RoughRiders will open their 2016 home schedule at Dr Pepper Ballpark on Thursday, April 14 against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Opening Night will be the first Thirsty Thursday of the season with $1 domestic draft beers, $2 craft and import beers, and $1 Dr Pepper Products from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The first 2,000 fans to enter the ballpark will receive a 2016 RoughRiders schedule magnet and after the game, everyone in attendance will be invited onto the field to watch an incredible post-game fireworks show.
Tickets 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 has spearheaded numerous major franchise improvements, from a completely new team identity to massive additions and upgrades to Dr Pepper Ballpark, including a giant new video board, sound system, sports bar, team store, improved food service and menu, and a complete overhaul of in-game entertainment. The improvements earned the Riders and the City of Frisco "Best Ballpark Renovation" of 2015 by Ballpark Digest in the under $6 million category. More than 130 former RoughRiders players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including All-Stars Chris Davis, Elvis Andrus, Adrian Gonzalez and Ian Kinsler. 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].
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