The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, drop the series opener Saturday night against the Springfield Cardinals, 11-4. Eric Aguilera had a superb night, going 2-4 with a double in the sixth inning and solo home run in the eighth inning.
Trailing 4-1 into the sixth, the RoughRiders cut the Springfield lead to 4-3, scoring on Aguilera’s RBI double and Andy Ibanez’s RBI single. The rally was cut short when Springfield outfielder Randy Arozarena robbed Michael De Leon of a two-run home run over the left field wall, ending the inning.
The RoughRiders hit just 2-6 with runners in scoring position, leaving eight men on base in the matchup.
Starting pitcher Collin Wiles was off his usual game, allowing eight hits and four runs (all earned) over just five innings of work. He walked four and struck out just one. Reliever Clayton Cook was rocked for three hits and two runs (all earned) over just 2/3 of an inning. Joe Filomeno allowed three hits and four runs (all earned) in his 1.1 innings. The RoughRiders caught a pitching break with Reed Garrett, as he tossed one inning of perfect baseball.
News and notes from RidersBaseball.com:
- Scott Heineman extended his on-base streak to 23 games with a single and a hit by pitch.
- With two hits Saturday, Eric Aguilera is 29-89 (.326) all-time at Hammons Field with five home runs and 16 RBIs.
- Riders starter Collin Wiles walked a career-high-tying four batters, doing so for the first time since July 27, 2016, against Stockton.
The RoughRiders and the Cardinals will face off in game two of the three-game set Sunday night, at Hammons Field in Springfield. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 PM. Pedro Payano (1-2, 4.50 ERA) will start for Frisco, taking on lefty Austin Gomber (3-6, 4.08 ERA).
You can watch the game via MiLB.tv, or listen to the broadcast at RidersBaseball.com.
Follow Blake Cole on Twitter (@blakeacole) for more on the Frisco RoughRiders, and other MiLB Texas League Double-A teams and players.
*Featured image courtesy of the Frisco RoughRiders.