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The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, lost to the Hooks last night, 11-6. The game ended up being a battle of home runs and hits. The RoughRiders couldn’t overcome Corpus Christi in the slugfest. Andy Ibanez, Michael O’Neill, and Juremi Profar all hit long balls. However, the Hooks stayed on top.

The offense was the clear focal point of the matchup last night. Andy Ibanez, at the designated hitter role, hit a solo shot in the second inning. Juremi Profar, batting seventh and playing third base, hit a go-ahead jimmy jack that was good for three runs. It put the RoughRiders ahead 5-3 in the fourth inning. Down in the fifth inning, Michael O’Neill sent one deep. It cut the Frisco deficit to 8-6.

Andy Ibanez ended the night going 4-5, with a home run, a RBI and scored a run. Juremi Profar had a home run and three RBIs in his 1-5 performance. Finally, Michael O’Neill went 1-4, launching a home run, getting a RBI, and drawing a walk. Eight of the starting nine for the RoughRiders got a hit in the game. Luis Marte was the only player without one.

The RoughRiders had a better time capitalizing on runners in scoring position. This has not been their strong point over the season. In last night’s matchup, went 4-13 with RISP. They did leave 10 men on base though.

Texas League home run leader J.D. Davis blasted two home runs for Corpus Christi. One of those was a grand slam in the fourth inning. It was part of a five-run inning for the Hooks, giving them the lead at 8-5. Davis added a second long ball in the seventh inning, making it 9-6. Jason Martin hit a two-run home run later in the frame, giving the Hooks an 11-6 lead. They would not relinquish that lead for the rest of the game.

Pitching was not a strong point for the Frisco RoughRiders. Starter Collin Wiles only pitched one inning. He gave up four hits and three runs (two earned). Wiles had one strikeout and walked one batter. This was an unusual outing for Wiles. In fact, his last performance was amazing. He tossed a complete game shutout and looked dominate. That performance ended up winning Wiles a Texas League Award.

RHP Collin Wiles

David Ledbetter came in to relieve Wiles. He ended up earning the loss, going 5.0 innings. The 25-year-old righty allowed two hits but gave up five runs (four earned). Ledbetter did get seven punchouts and walked two batters. Joe Filomeno finished the pitching duties for the RoughRiders. He tossed 2.0 innings, giving up four hits and three runs (all earned). Filomeno had two strikeouts, walked one batter, and gave up two home runs.

Key news and notes, from RidersBaseball.com:

  • Andy Ibanez tallied his second four-hit game of the season, with the other coming last Wednesday vs. Northwest Arkansas.
  • Michael O’Neill became the sixth Riders hitter to hit a home run in consecutive games this season.
  • Isiah Kiner-Falefa extended his on-base streak to 15 games with a double and a single.
  • David Ledbetter struck out a season-high seven hitters in five innings of extended relief.
  • Riders starter Collin Wiles’ one-plus-inning outing Thursday marked the shortest start of his career since July 8, 2014, against the AZL Reds.
  • With three home runs Thursday, Corpus Christi has collected 24 dingers in 15 games against the Riders this season.

The Frisco RoughRiders will take on the Hooks again tonight. This is the final game, of a four-game series, against the Houston Astros affiliate. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM CT, from Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, Texas. The Hooks will send the left-handed Framber Valdez to the hill. This is his Double-A debut. The RoughRiders are slated to have top-prospect Yohander Mendez (3-3, 3.52 ERA) make the start.

You can watch the game via MiLB.tv, or listen to the broadcast at RidersBaseball.com.

Be sure to follow Blake Cole, The Inscriber’s exclusive reporter to the Frisco RoughRiders, on Twitter (@blakeacole) for live game-day coverage, and other team news.

 


 

*Feateured image courtesy of ballparkreviews.com.

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