'Riders Survive Ninth Inning Scare to Win Series
August 9, 2012 - Texas League (TL1)
Frisco RoughRiders News Release
TULSA, OK-Ross Wolf and Frisco (22-24, 63-53) walked the tightrope in the bottom of the ninth inning, but the team found a way to hang on against Tulsa (19-27, 59-57), defeating the first-half TL North champs 6-5 Thursday night at ONEOK Field. Trailing 6-2 going into the bottom of the ninth, the Drillers scored three times, and put the tying run in scoring position before Wolf struck out Nolan Arenado to end the game.
Engel Beltre got the 'Riders started quickly, with a double off Josh Outman (1-4) to open the ballgame. Two batters later, Beltre would give Frisco its first run following a wild pitch by Outman, and a sacrifice fly by Jurickson Profar.
In the second, the 'Riders would tack on three more runs. After a pair of leadoff singles by Tommy Mendonca and Jared Prince, Zach Zaneski drove in his 28th run via an infield base hit. Jared Hoying plated the other two runs on a double to centerfield to give the visitors a 4-0 lead.
Tulsa reduced the deficit to three runs in the home third. Drillers shortstop Warren Schaeffer singled off Wilfredo Boscan (5-5) to begin the inning, and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Nolan Arenado.
The home club would add its second run on an RBI single by Michael Mitchell in the sixth, but the 'Riders would rebuild their three run lead in the seventh, after Tulsa reliever Brett Jacobson issued a pair of walks to start the inning. Struggling with his command, Jacobsen allowed Zach Zaneski to reach third following a pair of wild pitches, before Profar brought home his catcher on a fielder's choice.
Ahead 5-2, the 'Riders tacked on a valuable insurance run in the top of the ninth. On the first pitch of his at-bat, Engel Beltre connected on a solo home run that just cleared the rightfield wall. Initially, it appeared that rightfielder Chris Petit had made the catch, but after some hesitation, first base umpire Ian Fazio ruled the ball had gone over the fence.
Down by four, Tulsa put together a last-inning comeback against Ross Wolf. Hitless since the sixth inning, the Drillers recorded three straight singles off Wolf, before a sacrifice fly by Warren Schaeffer gave Frisco its first out. Corey Dickerson also added a sacrifice fly, as the 'Riders exchanged a second out for a second run, but Jimmy Cesario doubled to make it a one-run game. With the tying run at second, Wolf battled against Nolan Arenado, jumping ahead 1-2 in the count, before the right-hander got the strikeout he needed to end the game.
Wilfredo Boscan picked up his first win as a starting pitcher this season, tossing 5.2 innings, while allowing two runs on seven hits. Josh Outman suffered the loss going the first six innings. The veteran southpaw allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits, walked three and struck out six.
Frisco and Tulsa will play the third and final game of their series Friday night. Barret Loux (13-1, 3.45) makes his 21st start of the season, and tries to become the first Double-A pitcher to reach 14 victories this season. Loux will be opposed by right-hander Joe Gardner (5-7, 4.64) who will be making his second career start against the RoughRiders (he made his first against Frisco last August). First pitch is slated for 7:05 from ONEOK Field, and can be heard on KKGM 1630 AM or on ridersbaseball.com. Pre-game coverage gets underway at 6:30.
The RoughRiders return to Dr Pepper Ballpark on August 15, when the team begins a six-game homestand against the Tulsa Drillers and Northwest Arkansas Naturals. For ticket information, please call (972) 731-9200 or visit ridersbaseball.com.
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Texas League Stories from August 9, 2012
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