The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate to the Texas Rangers, have defeated the Midland RockHounds, 7-4. Frisco locks up game three of four against the Oakland Athletics affiliate. Thanks to stellar performances from Jose Cardona, Scott Heineman, and Michael De Leon, the RoughRiders were able to bounce back from last night’s tough loss.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
| MID | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 2 |
| FRI | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | X | 7 | 14 | 0 |
Yohander Mendez, No. 3 on the Rangers Top 30 prospects list, started on the hill for the RoughRiders. He tossed 6.0 innings, punching out six and walking two. Mendez allowed four runs, all earned, on five hits, ending his outing with a 3.47 ERA. No decision was awarded to the 22-year-old Venezuelan.
The RoughRiders relievers finished the last three innings strong. Adam Loewen, Sam Wolff, and Reed Garrett each pitched one innings, allowing no runs. This was an improvement over last night’s performance by the RoughRiders relievers, who ended up costing Frisco the game.
courtesy of Frisco RoughRiders
Jose Cardona broke up a tied game in the eighth inning. He launched a three-run homer that put the RoughRiders ahead, 7-4. He finished the game 2-4, with one HR, three RBIs, and a run. Michael De Leon also had a multi-RBI game, with two. He went 3-4, which included a triple. Scott Heineman had a three-bagger as well, going 2-4 and getting two RBIs.
Key takeaways from the game:
- Jose Cardona’s eighth inning home run is his second of the season, the first coming in last night’s game. He is the third RoughRiders player to have a home run in consecutive games. Juremi Profar and Drew Vettleson are the other two.
- Scott Heineman finished the game just shy of hitting for a cycle. He needed a double to complete it. No RoughRiders player has ever accomplished this feat.
- Yohander Mendez gave up three home runs in the matchup. He now leads the Texas League in home runs allowed, at 11. It also put the RoughRiders pitching staff as the No. 1 team in the league in home runs allowed, at 44 combined.
The final game of the four-game series is tomorrow night. Frisco will host the Midland RockHounds at Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. First pitch is at 7:05 PM CT. The RoughRiders will send Collin Wiles to the hill. He is the recent winner of the Texas Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Month, for April. He will enter with a 3-1 record, and a 2.62 ERA. Midland has Corey Walter (2-0, 1.09 ERA) slated to make the start.
You can catch the game via MiLB.tv, or listen to the broadcast at RidersBaseball.com.