'Riders earn gritty 2-1 win over Hooks

FRISCO, TEXAS (July 19, 2014) - The Hooks had a no-hitter into the seventh inning but timely hitting and a two-out two RBI double by J.T. Wise earned the RoughRiders a 2-1 victory on Saturday at Dr Pepper Ballpark.

RoughRiders starter Edwar Cabrera got off to a shaky start as he walked leadoff hitter Tony Kemp in what was an 11-pitch at bat, but the southpaw recovered by retiring the next three batters he faced. Cabrera then pitched a perfect second inning but the Hooks were able to figure him out in the third.

Brandon Meredith was a few inches shy of hitting a one-out homer to left to open the scoring so he settled with a stand up double ripped off of the outfield wall, and he later scored making it 1-0 Corpus when Kemp sent an RBI double off the wall just beyond the glove of Chris Grayson.

Kemp was caught trying to swipe third base and consecutive walks put two more runners on for the Hooks, but an easy 6-4 fielder's choice got Cabrera out of the inning.

Corpus Christi (16-13, 50-49) starter Chris Devenski did not allow a base runner through 4.2 innings but a two-out walk drawn by J.T. Wise ended the pitchers bid for perfection.

The Hooks' hurler walked Patrick Cantwell to begin the seventh, while still in possession of a no-hitter, but Odubel Herrera hit a 1-2 pitch over the glove of shortstop Carlos Perdomo to earn the first hit of the night of the RoughRiders (14-14, 54-43).

The first Frisco collection of runs came two batters later when Wise ripped a two-out two RBI double down the left field line. Cantwell and Herrera rounded the bases to give Frisco a 2-1 lead.

Cabrera was relieved after pitching five innings in which he allowed one run on three hits with four walks and two strikeouts. The lefty threw 45 of his 76 pitches for strikes. He was relieved by Ryan Rodebaugh, who was freshly activated off of the disabled list on Saturday, and the 'Riders reliever pitched a perfect sixth.

Corpus Christi was inches shy of tying the contest with two outs in the eighth, but a leaping Hanser Alberto snagged a line drive and kept Delino DeShields Jr. from rounding third.

Kyle Lotzkar (2-2) earned his second win of the year in relief after two innings pitched with two hits and two strikeouts. Devenski (2-1) suffered the loss despite his stellar 6.2 innings pitched in which he gave up two runs on two hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

The RoughRiders look to split the series with Corpus Christi on Sunday at 6:05 at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Southpaw Alex Claudio (1-2, 1.80 ERA) pitches for the RoughRiders and opposes fellow lefty David Rollins (2-4, 3.60 ERA). For tickets to see the 'Riders in 2014, call 972-731-9200, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.ridersbaseball.com.