The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, lost the series opener to the Corpus Christi, 5-1. While Jurado managed to strikeout eight Hooks players, he didn’t go the distance. The RoughRiders were unable to answer a big second inning surge from the Houston Astros affiliate.
Ariel Jurado took the hill for the Frisco RoughRiders. He entered as the No. 3 prospect within the Texas Rangers organization. Jurado pitched just 4.1 innings, giving up five hits and five runs (three earned). The 21-year-old Panamanian walked just two batters. Though the top-prospect had eight punch outs, he was tormented in the second inning.
The Hooks scored four runs in the second. Ramon Laureano hit a two-run double, and a double from Jason Martin plated another. A fielding error committed by the RoughRiders allowed the final run of the inning. Garrett Stubs had a sacrifice fly in the fifth, earning the Hooks their final run of the game. The only run from the RoughRiders came in the first inning. A fielding error put the club ahead 1-0.
There were chances for the RoughRiders to make up the deficit. In total, the club left seven men stranded on base. They were hitless with runners in scoring position, going 0-10. They are 1-17 in their last two outings. Hits with RISP has been a weak area for the club this season. Additionally, so has their batting average. In last night’s performance, the RoughRiders hit a team average of .252. They have been stuck at this rut just about all season.
RoughRiders relievers played as expected. Cody Palmquist pitched 1.2 innings of no-hit baseball. He struck out two, and walked just one. Reed Garrett pitched a no-hit inning as well. Brady Feigl allowed just one hit in his one inning of relief. He also struck out two Hooks. In fact, the lefty reliever has been terrorizing hitters so far in 2017. Feigl, who came up from Advanced-A Down East last Wednesday, has worked a pair of scoreless outings for the Riders, recording six of his eight outs with strikeouts. Dating back to his time in Kinston, the 26-year-old has worked 12 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings.
The RoughRiders will play game two against the Hooks at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, Texas. The matchup is set to start at 7:05 PM CT. Frisco will send Pedro Payano to the hill. He will be making his second start at the Double-A level. The Hooks have Josh James making the start.
You can watch the action at MiLB.tv, or listen to the broadcast via RidersBaseball.com.
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