The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate to the Texas Rangers, are set to the play the Arkansas Travelers in the final game of a three-game series. The RoughRiders came on top of the Seattle Mariners affiliate in the first two games. This final matchup will determine who stays in, or moves to, last place in the Texas League.
The first game was slated to take place Friday, June 2. However, heavy rain soaked the field and caused the game to be postponed. The two teams played a double-header the next day. Per MiLB rules, the double-header was to be two seven inning games.
In the first game of the day, the Frisco RoughRiders easily took the victory. Texas Rangers top-prospect Yohander Mendez was superb in his outing. The left-handed pitcher tossed a complete game shutout. He accomplished the feat below 100 pitches. The offense backed Mendez’s performance with solid run support. The RoughRiders won 7-0.
The final game of the day featured yet another amazing start from a RoughRiders starting pitcher. Collin Wiles threw ANOTHER complete game shutout. He also did it in less than 100 pitches. There was a bit more pressure on Wiles than there was for Mendez. The RoughRiders offense wasn’t as active as they were in game one. However, they sealed the deal. With a score of 2-0, Frisco swept the Travelers for the day.
Both clubs are ready for game three. Should the Frisco RoughRiders win, and get the sweep, they will stay out of last place in the Texas League. Their record of 25-30 currently sits them just ahead of the Arkansas Travelers. With a record of 24-30, the Travelers are looking to get even count with the RoughRiders.
Arkansas is starting two top-prospects for the Seattle Mariners. Kyle Waldrop (No. 26 prospect) will play first base tonight, batting fourth in the lineup. Tyler Marte (No. 22 prospect), is hitting right behind him at fifth in lineup. He will be catching in the matchup. Chuck Taylor, the Travelers center fielder and lead-off hitter, has the best batting average in the Texas League (.369). He also has the fourth-best slugging percentage (.530).
The Frisco RoughRiders are starting three top-prospects for the Texas Rangers. Jose Trevino (No. 6 prospect) is batting seventh, and starting at catcher. Juremi Profar (No. 26 prospect) will start at first base. Michael De Leon (No. 19 prospect) is starting at shortstop, batting ninth in the lineup. Finally, we have right-handed pitcher Connor Sadzeck (No. 10 prospect) taking the hill. Wiles is rated the ninth-best pitcher in the Texas League. He enters today’s matchup at 3-3, with a 4.81 ERA. Wiles has the most strikeouts in the league (69).
You can watch tonight’s series finale via MiLB.tv, or listen to the broadcast at RidersBaseball.com.