The Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate to the Texas Rangers, pulled off a second half rally to beat the Midland RockHounds, 6-5. The Oakland Athletics affiliate got off to an early lead, but the RoughRiders offense came through in the end, to improve the team to 18-22 on the season.
The pre-game hype was centered around RoughRiders 22-year-old starting pitcher, Collin Wiles. This young right-handed pitcher made his first start since winning the Texas Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Month award, for the month of April.
Wiles came into the contest at 3-1, carrying an ERA of 2.62. The first inning was rough for Wiles, as he gave up a three-run homer. He was able to find a groove through the next three innings, allowing no more runs. In the top of the fifth, the RockHounds got one more over on Wiles, as a sacrifice fly scored one more. This set the RoughRiders back 4-0. Despite allowing the early runs, Wiles displayed his usual high level of talent.
The bottom of the fifth was phenomenal for Frisco. The RoughRiders put together the start of their rally, with three runs in that half of the inning. Juremi Profar was able to score from third, on a wild pitch. Isiah Kiner-Falefa came through with a RBI single, cutting the RoughRiders defecit in half. Eric Aguilera slammed a double that allowed one more run to score. The RoughRiders ended the fifth down by one, at 4-3.
The bottom of the sixth leveled the RoughRiders and the RockHounds. Profar took a hard swing, good for two bases and allowing the tying run to score. Michael De Leon hit a hard ball in the infield, and a fielding error allowed him to make it to first base. The error also sent Profar across the plate, and gave the RoughRiders their first lead of the game, at 5-4. Another run was added in the bottom of the seventh, off another Midland error.
The bullpen had a hiccup in the ninth. Reliever Clayton Cook gave up a run, which inched Midland closer to tying the game. With the score at 6-5, Frisco risked another bullpen-blown game in this series. Shane McCain was able to seal the deal for the RoughRiders, putting Midland away for good.
Tonight’s play of the game came from Luke Tendler, who made an impressive catch in the fourth.
Woah! Check out this great diving grab by Luke Tendler to end the fourth. #LetsRide pic.twitter.com/Oma6XFmMoN
— Frisco RoughRiders (@RidersBaseball) May 19, 2017
Up next for Frisco, another four-game series against the Corpus Christi Hooks. The action begins tomorrow night, with the first pitch set for 7:05 PM CT. Connor Sadzeck (2-2, 4.99 ERA) is slated to take the hill for Frisco. The Hooks will have Rogelio Armenteros (2-1, 1.45 ERA) take the hill.
You can watch the game at MiLB.tv, or listen via RidersBaseball.com.