The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, have lost the first game in the series to the Corpus Christi Hooks. In ten innings, the final was 2-1. RoughRiders starting pitcher, Connor Sadzeck, had one of his best performances so far this season. The game was a true battle between the pitching staff of both teams.
Sadzeck tossed 8.0 innings, giving up just three hits and one run (earned). He walked one, and had nine strikeouts. After giving up a leadoff single in the first, Sadzeck threw a first-pitch home run to the leadoff batter in the second. That solo shot put the Hooks ahead of the RoughRiders, 1-0. That score would hold until the seventh inning.
Corpus Christi starting pitcher, Rogelio Armenteros, was just as solid in his outing. He threw 5.0 innings, allowing no hits, one walk, and punching out five.
Sam Wolff came in to relieve Sadzeck for the ninth inning. He gave up a hit to the first batter he faced, who then stole second base. After a popup and a flyout, the RoughRiders moved to intentionally walk the Hooks first baseman, Jon Singleton. With runners at first and second, things were looking rough. Wolff was able to pitch into another popup to end the inning.
Joe Filomeno pitched the tenth. He was the same bullpen arm that gave up a lead for the RoughRiders three days prior, to Midland. In what was almost a flashback, Filomeno gave up a solo home run. This shot put the Hooks ahead 2-1.
The real concern was from the lack of RoughRiders offensive production. The team finished with five hits, but they all came after the fifth inning. The failed early production put a lot of pressure on Sadzeck, as well as the bullpen. Unfortunately for RoughRiders fans, quiet bats are becoming more common than not. Nine of 16 RoughRiders batters are hitting below .250. The team as a whole is batting .246/.310/.359. This is an area that the coaching staff is working to improve on a daily basis.
Game two of four against the Hooks is happening tonight. The RoughRiders are slated to start Ariel Jurado (3-3, 4.11 ERA). He is the No. 3 prospect within the Texas Rangers organization. Corpus Christi will send Cy Sneed (2-3, 4.73 ERA). First pitch is at 7:05 PM CT.
You can watch the game at MiLB.tv, or listen to the broadcast via RidersBaseball.com.