FRISCO, Texas (April 9, 2017) – The Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers) lose game one, of a three-game series, to the Tulsa Drillers (Dodgers). The Double-A teams both managed double-digit hits, but runs scored fell in the favor of Tulsa.
Reed Garrett started on the hill for the RoughRiders. In what seems to be a common occurrence for the team, he had a less-than-stellar performance. Garrett pitched just 4.1 innings, giving up 10 hits and seven earned runs. He punched out five, with two walks and gave up two home runs. Garrett ended the night with a 14.54 ERA.
Cody Palmquist entered the game in relief. He gave up one earned run, the first for the RoughRiders bullpen. In his 1.2 innings pitched, Palmquist allowed two hits, got two Ks, and walked none. Following Palmquist was lefty Shane McCain. He allowed two hits and two walks, but gave up no runs across his two innings. Clayton Cook came in to pitch the 9th for the RoughRiders. He had a perfect closing inning.
The RoughRiders offense started out strong. Down 2-0 in their hitting half of the first, Juremi Profar hit a solo home run. Andy Ibanez, who was without a hit on the season until this point, got on base with a line drive single. Luke Tendler came to the plate and hit a monstrous, deep liner to the right field corner. It was good for a double that scored Ibanez. The first inning ended with the RoughRiders and the Drillers all tied up. In the bottom of the 8th, first baseman Royce Bolinger slammed a two-run homer that got the RoughRiders to within four runs of Tulsa.
Of the RoughRiders starting nine, only one player finished the game without a hit. Offensive stars include:
Jerumi Profar (2-5, HR, RBI, R)
Luke Tendler (3-4, 2 2B, RBI, R)
Royce Bolinger (2-4, HR, 2 RBIs, R)
Hitting is not a concern for the RoughRiders. The team has amassed 30 hits in their last two outings. Relief pitching seems to also be a strong point for Frisco. The club’s bullpen has an ERA of just 0.40. They have allowed only one run in 22 1/3 innings pitched. The larger issue facing the RoughRiders is starting pitching.
Of the four starting pitchers the club has used this season, only one has handled himself well on the mound. Yohander Mendez, who pitched in last night’s game, looked in control. Starts from Connor Sadzeck, Ariel Jurado, and tonight’s Reed Garrett were not up to standard.
Frisco’s pitching coach Brian Shouse will need to ensure that the starters don’t make these last few performances a trend. Especially if they want to keep the bullpen well rested and successful.
You can listen to raw, unedited audio of player interviews here:
Jose Cardona, OF
Drew Vettleson, DH
Game two against the Tulsa Drillers will take place tomorrow night, at Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. The RoughRiders will send Collin Wiles to the hill, to face Tulsa’s Ivan Vieitez. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM CT.
You can watch the game via MiLB.tv, or listen at RidersBaseball.com.
Be sure to look at previous RoughRiders coverage, found below:
Frisco Soars Above Cardinals In Game 3
Starting Pitching Plagues RoughRiders in Game 2 Loss