The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, shut out the Missions Friday night 1-0. Top prospect Yohander Mendez struck out nine San Antonio batters, tying his season-high mark. At one point between the third and fifth inning, Mendez had six punch outs in a row. The RoughRiders improved to 43-55 on the season, but still, sit in the last place in the Texas league.
Mendez earned the win and is now 7-6 for the year. He tossed 7.0 innings, allowing just four hits and no runs. On his way to striking out nine, he only walked two. Reed Garret relieved Mendez, pitching one inning for the RoughRiders. Garret went K, BB, K, K to end the eighth inning. Ricardo Rodriguez closed out the matchup. He tossed one inning of perfect baseball, striking out one along the way.
Cal Quantrill was the starting pitcher for San Antonio, the affiliate of the San Diego Padres. According to MLB Pipeline, he’s the Padres No. 2 prospect. Though Quantrill earned the loss, he tossed a solid game. Over 6.2 innings, he gave up six hits and allowed just one run (earned). He walked one and struck out five.
RoughRiders infielder Eric Aguilera accounted for the only offensive production for either team. His solo home run in the seventh put Frisco ahead, and ahead for good.
News and notes from RidersBaseball.com:
- Yohander Mendez lasted seven innings for the sixth time this season. Prior to this season, the southpaw had never lasted seven innings (77 career outings).
- Mendez has struck out at least seven hitters in five of his last six starts after doing it just twice in his first 13 outings.
- With another home run Friday, Eric Aguilera took over the team lead in homers (11). Aguilera has drilled six of his 11 long balls in July (16 games).
- Frisco recorded its seventh shutout win of the season Friday and the second 1-0 win.
The RoughRiders will continue their series against the San Antonio Missions Saturday night. Frisco will start top prospect Ariel Jurado (7-7, 4.82 ERA) against Missions lefty Joey Lucchesi (2-1, 3.24 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05 PM from Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas.
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, and other MiLB Texas League Double-A teams and players.
*Featured image courtesy of the Frisco RoughRiders.