Woes at the Wolff
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (MAY 19, 2014) - For the first time this season, the Frisco RoughRiders failed to score a run in a game as the San Antonio Missions blanked the RoughRiders 4-0 on Monday at Wolff Stadium.
Conversely, the game also marked the first time the Missions shut out an opponent in 2014, and big league rehabber Casey Kelly (1-0) played a key role.
Kelly pitched six scoreless innings and scattered four hits (three to Trever Adams) with no walks and six strikeouts. Twice the 6-foot-3 210 pound right-hander stranded a runner on third.
Alec Asher (3-4) took the loss. His effort included three runs, three hits and three walks over 5 2/3 innings. The final two runs charged to Asher crossed after he left the game in the sixth inning.
With the loss, Frisco (26-18) drops the final three games on its eight-game road trip and finishes with a 3-5 record overall. The 'Riders fall to 2-6 at Wolff Stadium this season.
San Antonio (19-24) ends the series on a three-game win streak and leads the 2014 season series 7-5 over the RoughRiders.
Adams broke up Kelly's no-hit bid in the first inning with a single to right field. A baserunning blunder by Adams resulted in a 9-3 double play to end the inning and the 'Riders would rue the missed opportunity.
The 'Riders had another chance to score in the fourth inning with one out and runners on second and third, but Kelly rallied with a strikeout of Tomás Telis and Ryan Rua grounded out to end the inning.
Casey McElroy opened the scoring in the bottom half when he took an Asher offering into the teeth of the wind and out of the ballpark in right field. It was the ninth homer allowed by the right-hander this season and San Antonio scored first for the only time in the series to take a 1-0 lead.
Meanwhile, the RoughRiders left a man stranded at third for the second straight inning in the fifth. Kelly hit Odubel Herrera with a pitch, and Herrera subsequently advanced to second on a wild pitch.
After Teodoro Martinez grounded out and advanced Herrera to third, Kelly again retired the next two batters to maintain the 1-0 score.
Asher allowed a pair of hits through his first five innings, but could not escape the sixth, his final on the mound. The native of Florida recorded two quick outs, but allowed a double to Rymer Liriano and walked Jason Hagerty before right-hander Wilmer Font relieved the Frisco starter.
Needing one out to end the inning, Font allowed consecutive run-scoring singles, first to Austin Hedges and then to pinch hitter Lee Orr. In addition, the Missions snuck in another run on an error by Telis.
The RoughRiders' catcher attempted to throw out Orr as the latter stole second base, but the throw ricocheted off Orr and into the outfield, which allowed Hedges to score an unearned run. The trio of scores put San Antonio in command 4-0.
After a day off on Tuesday, the RoughRiders return to Dr Pepper Ballpark on Wednesday, May 21 to begin a three-game series with the Tulsa Drillers. First pitch on Wednesday is 7:05 p.m. and coverage begins at 6:40 p.m. on www.ridersbaseball.com. For tickets to see the 'Riders in 2014, call 972-731-9200, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.ridersbaseball.com.