The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, dropped a 9-2 decision against the Arkansas Travelers Tuesday night. The series opener loss comes at the hand of an explosive Travelers offense, who recorded an impressive 16 hits in the matchup. Frisco was limited to just five hits, as the Arkansas pitching staff tossed an outstanding matchup.
Travelers starting pitcher Lindsey Caughel earned the win, pitching eight innings and allowing just two runs. He walked two and struck out seven RoughRiders batters. Frisco had their moments, highlighted by Michael O’Neill. Behind 3-0 in the third, O’Neill launched a solo homer to put Frisco on the board. In the fourth inning, Scott Heineman narrowed the gap to 3-2 with a single that sent a runner home.
The RoughRiders pitching staff was practically eaten alive. Starter Tyler Davis lasted just 4.2 innings, giving up 10 hits and six runs (all earned). He walked two and punched out three. From the bullpen, Ryne Slack pitched two innings. He was taken for two runs (both earned) on three hits. Cody Palmquist followed, pitching 1.1 innings and allowing three hits. He gave up one run (earned) while walking none and striking out none. Reed Garrett was the star of the pitching show, as he closed out duties on the mound. In one inning pitched, he punched out two and allowed no hits or runs.
News and notes from RidersBaseball.com:
- Michael O’Neill blasted his 14th home run of the season (seven with Advanced-A Down East and seven with Frisco), putting him in a tie with teammate Eric Aguilera for the second-most home runs in the Rangers organization.
- Riders starter Tyler Davis lasted just 4 2/3 innings, posting his shortest outing with the Riders. Prior to Tuesday, Davis had lasted at least six innings in all eight of his Double-A starts.
- With a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday, reliever Reed Garrett has not allowed an earned run in 16 2/3 innings.
- The Frisco offense has mustered just 29 runs in its past 14 games, averaging 2.1 runs per contest.
The Frisco RoughRiders will continue their three-game set against the Arkansas Travelers on Wednesday night. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:15 PM, from Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas.
Frisco will send right-handed pitcher Collin Wiles (9-9, 3.95 ERA) to the hill. He will take on Chase De Jong (0-1, 2.25 ERA). You can watch the action via MiLB.com, 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.