The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, defeat the Naturals in a landslide, 13-2. Andy Ibanez led the charge, launching two three-run home runs in the matchup. Also backed by a quality performance from starting pitcher Ariel Jurado, Frisco was able to tie the three-game series at one game each.
The bats picked up for the RoughRiders, which was opposite of their game one showing. In total, the RoughRiders had 18 hits. That’s a season high for the team. Eight of the starting nine players had hits, catcher Jose Trevino being the only Rider without one. Ibanez’s two three-run blasts, in the second and third innings, were the highlight of the offensive output. He tied his career-high home run count at two, and set a new career-high with his six RBIs.
Jose Cardona extended his hitting streak to eight games with his second four-hit performance of the season. Isiah Kiner-Falefa extended his hitting streak to nine games with a double in the eighth. Eric Aguilera also had a longball, a solo shot in the third inning. Jose Cardona was also good for a homer, launching his two-run shot in the third as well. The RoughRiders set season-highs in: runs (13), hits (18), home runs (4), and extra-base hits (8) in yesterday’s win. The six runs in the third inning were also the most scored in a single inning this season.
Ariel Jurado dominated the Northwest Arkansas Naturals hitters. He threw seven complete innings, giving up five hits and two runs (both earned). Jurado had four strikeouts and walked none. He has finished the month of May with a 5-0 record, and a 1.86 ERA. This was a huge bounce back from a 1-3 record and 6.41 ERA in April. Jurado currently ranks as the No. 3 prospect within the Texas Rangers organization.
The RoughRiders bullpen was efficient, pitching two innings of just one hit baseball. Nick Gardewine and Cody Palmquist pitched in the eighth and ninth, respectively. No runs were allowed, and no walks were given. Gardewine allowed the hit, a leadoff double to open the eighth. After that, the Naturals went down in order. In the ninth, Palmquist threw into three-straight popups to end the game.
The RoughRiders will take on the Naturals, the Kansas City Royals affiliate, again tonight. It’s the final game in this series. First pitch is at 7:05 PM CT, from Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Frisco will start David Ledbetter (1-2, 4.30 ERA). The Naturals will send Zach Lovvorn (2-3, 4.89 ERA) to the mound.
You can watch the games via MiLB.tv, or listen to the broadcast at RidersBaseball.com.