The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, drop the series opener against the Arkansas Travelers Monday night, 11-2. Two big innings helped drive the Travelers, affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, to a landslide victory. Bryan Evans, the starting pitcher for Arkansas, kept the RoughRiders bats silent. Combined, Frisco managed just seven hits in the matchup.
The game seemed to start in favor of the RoughRiders. Eric Aguilera launched a solo home run in the second inning, giving Frisco a 1-0 lead. However, the Travelers answered quickly in the bottom of the same frame. They scored four total runs off RoughRiders starter Ariel Jurado. Down 11-1 heading into the ninth inning, the RoughRiders were in desperate need of a rally. Juremi Profar hit a single that scored one, and hopes were sparked. However, the RoughRiders were unable to capitalize on the momentum.
Aguilera finished his night 2-4, with his home run being his only highlight. Profar ended his night at 2-4, including his RBI from the single in the ninth. Jose Cardona went 2-3, while Jose Trevino managed just one hit, a double, and drew a walk. The RoughRiders hit a disappointing 1-11 with runners in scoring position. This is an area the club has suffered in several times throughout the season.
While run support was clearly not there for the RoughRiders pitching staff, they didn’t leave much opportunity for any go-ahead opportunities. Jurado, who started on the hill for Frisco, was completely run over by the end of the second inning. In total, he pitched 5.1 innings. Across that timeframe, he allowed 13 hits and seven earned runs. He walked one and struck out one.
News and notes from RidersBaseball.com:
- Eric Aguilera crushed his team-leading 14th home run, driving in his team-best 46th run.
- Juremi Profar tallied his 27th multiple-hit contest with two singles. Jose Cardona and Eric Aguilera each collected their 19th multi-hit performances.
- Riders starter Ariel Jurado surrendered career-highs in hits (13) and runs (8) allowed.
The Frisco RoughRiders will take on the Arkansas Travelers for game two of the three-game set on Wednesday night. The action is set to begin at 7:10 PM. Frisco will send right-handed pitcher Tyler Davis (2-1, 2.54 ERA) to the mound. Davis has been solid this year, a relief in a year of rough starting pitching. Arkansas will send Lindsey Caughel (8-9, 4.09 ERA) to the hill.
You can watch the action via MiLB.tv, or listen to the broadcast at RidersBaseball.com.
Follow Blake Cole on Twitter (@blakeacole) for more on the Frisco RoughRiders, Texas Rangers, and more.
*Featured image courtesy of the Frisco RoughRiders.