Lockdown Pitching, Longball Guide Cards to 1-0 Series Lead
Published on September 11, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Frisco RoughRiders News Release
SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI-Yet to win a Texas League title, Springfield came one step closer on Tuesday night thanks to three longballs and outstanding pitching, as the Cardinals shutout the RoughRiders 5-0 at Hammons Field. A four-run seventh proved especially costly for Frisco, and was capped off by a 3-run homer from Mike O'Neil. With the loss Frisco trails 1-0 in the TLCS.
Springfield added its first run in the bottom of the second against Cody Buckel (0-1). With two out, Greg Garcia hit a solo homer that just cleared the wall in rightfield. Initially first base umpire Alex Ortiz ruled the ball had been caught by Jared Hoying, but Ortiz changed his call after seeing Hoying didn't have the ball.
The RoughRiders had a chance to even the score or take the lead in the third and fourth, but Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez (1-0) used a pair of strikeouts (runners on first and third in the third) and a double play (bases loaded in the fourth) to keep it 1-0 Springfield.
In the sixth and seventh, Martinez got a pair of double play balls to keep the 'Riders off the board, while Jamie Romak helped trigger some seperation in the home seventh. Ahead in the count, Romak drove Buckel's 3-1 offering into the leftfield bullpen, ending the right-hander's night.
On in relief, Tim Murphy would strike out Adam Melker, but hit Greg Garcia prompting Steve Buechele to turn to Ryan Rodebaugh. He issued a walk to Xavier Scruggs, then struck out Travis Tartamella to send up Mike O'Neil. Homerless on the season, O'Neil punched a 3-run shot over the rightfield wall. It was only the second longball of O'Neil's professional career.
Ahead 5-0, the Cardinals got scoreless innings from Eric Fornatoro and Michael Blazek to complete the shutout, and give Springfield a 1-0 series lead.
Carlos Martinez earned the win for the Cards, tossing seven shutout innings while scattering four hits and striking out seven. Cody Buckel drew the loss, going six innings and allowing two runs on a pair of longballs. Buckel gave up four hits and struck out five.
Frisco and Springfield will play game two of the TLCS on Wednesday night. Nick Tepesch (1-0, 0.00) makes his second postseason start for the RoughRiders, and will be opposed by Texas League Postseason All-Star Seth Maness (0-1, 4.50). First pitch is slated for 7:08 from Hammons Field, and can be heard on 1630 KKGM or on ridersbaseball.com. Pre-game coverage gets underway at 6:30.
The TLCS shifts to Frisco for games three, four and five (if necessary) beginning on Friday. All games at Dr Pepper Ballpark this weekend start at 7 p.m. and tickets may still be purchased at the team box office, by calling (972) 334-1993 by visiting www.ridersbaseball.com .
Texas League Stories from September 11, 2012
- Lockdown Pitching, Longball Guide Cards to 1-0 Series Lead - Frisco RoughRiders
- Cardinals Win Game 1 over Frisco, 5-0 - Springfield Cardinals
- Mike Napoli to Rehab with Frisco - Frisco RoughRiders
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