J.T. Wise Slams 'Riders to 12-9 Win
August 31, 2014 - Texas League (TL1)
Frisco RoughRiders News Release
FRISCO, TEXAS (August 31, 2014) - J.T. Wise hit a grand slam to cap off a six-run first inning and homered once more in the fourth to tie the series with Midland and help Frisco earn a 12-9 victory over the RockHounds on Sunday night at Dr Pepper Ballpark.
The win for the 'Riders means tomorrow's contest between Frisco and Midland will decide who wins the second-half standings and be awarded a potential game five in the upcoming South Division Championship Series between the two clubs which kicks off this week.
The RockHounds made the game interesting in the ninth by scoring six runs and Frisco manager Jason Wood was ejected after a lengthy delay. Kent Matthes hit a grounder to third and the throw to first appeared to pull Trever Adams off the bag. Matthes was ruled out and the 'Riders appeared to have clinched the win, but the Midland coaching staff argued the call and the teams returned to the field after Wood was ejected during a lengthy discussion with the umpiring crew.
The 'Hounds then scored four more runs in the inning with a trio of singles, but Francisco Mendoza was able to put a cap on the win.
Midland (39-30, 77-62) got out to the start they were looking for by loading the bases early without starter Jake Thompson being able to record an out. Conner Crumbliss and Kenny Wilson hit consecutive singles to right and Max Muncy walked to load the bags.
Matthes put his team on the board 1-0 in the following at-bat with a single to left moving everyone up a station. Dusty Coleman struck out swinging but Jeremy Barfield hit a deep fly ball Nomar Mazara in right, which allowed Wilson to score and put Midland up 2-0.
Frisco (39-30, 79-59) answered in the bottom of the first and also managed to load the bases without recording an out, and the 'Riders found the run column when Adams hit a ground ball to the third. Jefry Marte fired the ball home but the heater popped out of the mit of Blake Forsythe and Guilder Rodriguez scored on the error easily.
Joey Gallo walked to load the bases for a second time in the frame and J.T. Wise proceeded to clear them by hitting a grand slam to left, which turned the tables and the score to 6-2 Frisco. RockHounds' starter Murphy Smith threw 36 pitches before striking out Nick Williams for the first out of the inning, and Drew Granier replaced him after he struck out Jake Skole for the second out.
The RoughRiders would load the bases once more in the 49-minute first inning and sent 12 men to the plate in the six-run frame.
Frisco added to their advantage in the second when Williams grounded out to first, scoring Adams from third, and Wise hit his second homer of the game in the fourth to give the 'Riders an 8-2 lead.
Midland's top of the order loaded the bags for the second time of the game in the fifth and Matthes grounded into a double play to score Crumbliss, making it 8-3 'Riders, and Thompson got out of the inning when Coleman was called out on strikes.
Patrick Cantwell led off the home half of the sixth with a triple to left-center and Adams notched his 61st RBI of the year with a sacrifice fly knocked to deep center, putting Frisco up by six runs and Jake Skole hit his sixth homer of the year in the seventh to put the RoughRiders up by a touchdown. Cantwell struck again in the eighth with the bases loaded by dropping a single into right-center for a two-RBI base knock.
Forsythe grounded into a 5-4 fielder's choice in the ninth to score D'Arby Myers from third and a single by Crumbliss kick-started the unraveling for Frisco. Keone Kela struggled to find consistency in the inning, and the long delay in the ninth didn't help the hurler establish a smooth rhythm.
Sure enough, however, Frisco won the high scoring affair and returned to the clubhouse.
Thompson (3-1) pitched five innings and gave up three runs on seven hits with three walks and six strikeouts, and threw 54 of his 93 pitches for strikes.
Smith (2-5) pitched 2/3 of an inning and allowed six runs (five earned) on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts. The righty tossed 25 of his 44 pitches for strikes.
The RoughRiders conclude the 2014 regular season against Midland on Monday at 6:05 p.m. at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Righty Alec Asher (11-11, 3.82 ERA) will pitch for Frisco and opposes fellow righty Nate Long (13-8, 3.18 ERA). For tickets to see the 'Riders in 2014, call 972-731-9200, e-mail Info@RidersBaseball.com or visit www.ridersbaseball.com.
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