Three-Run Midland Ninth Ties up Series 1-1
September 4, 2014 - Texas League (TL1)
Frisco RoughRiders News Release
FRISCO, TEXAS (September 4, 2014) - The 'Hounds scored three runs in the ninth and escaped Frisco with a 6-3 win to even up the South Division Championship Series on Thursday at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Frisco committed four errors in the game and the bullpen couldn't hold Midland pat in the final inning.
Kenny Wilson and Max Muncy reached base via a hit and walk, respectively, and Kent Matthes sacrificed his runners over to third. A wild pitch by Erik Hamren allowed Wilson to score and give Midland a 4-3 advantage. Jeremy Barfield walked and Dusty Coleman hit an RBI single to plate an insurance run. Hamren awarded the 'Hounds an additional insurance run when he balked while facing Chad Oberacker.
Frisco skipper Jason Wood came out to argue and was ejected from the ballgame, but Odubel Herrera got a few words in as well and was also tossed from the contest.
The RoughRiders had an opportunity to make it a new contest when Patrick Cantwell batted with the bases loaded, but the potential ninth inning rally was snubbed.
Midland appeared to be in control of the contest after securing a 1-0 lead off of starter Jerad Eickhoff in the second and starting pitcher Tim Sexton carried it as far as he could into the fourth inning.
D'Arby Myers struck out swinging, but reached first on a dropped third strike with a throwing error by catcher Jorge Alfaro. Consecutive singles by Matt Chapman and Blake Forsythe moved Myers to third, and Conner Crumbliss brought him home on a sacrifice fly to right.
Frisco was only able to load the bases in the first with two singles and a walk by J.T. Wise but they left them loaded without being able to get any runs on the board. Alfaro had an opportunity to get the scoring started for Frisco in the fourth with the bases loaded once more, but a double play made the chances of the 'Riders scoring seem slim.
Nick Williams had other ideas, however, when he knocked a two-RBI single to left scoring Wise and Nomar Mazara and giving the RoughRiders a 2-1 lead. Trever Adams got in on the action on inning later when he laced a sacrifice fly to left deep enough to score Hanser Alberto and make the score 3-1 'Riders.
The RockHounds responded with a two-run sixth and tied the contest at 3-3 with consecutive RBI singles by Crumbliss and Wilson. Chapman led the frame off with a walk and wound up on third when Alfaro committed his third throwing error of the game while attempting to catch the runner stealing. Forsythe drew a walk and eventually scored the tying run on Wilson's blooper to center.
Sexton (no decision) pitched 3+ innings and allowed two runs on four hits while walking two and striking out one. The right-hander threw one wild pitch, committed one balk, and threw 33 of his 56 pitches for strikes.
Eickhoff (no decision) pitched 5 2/3 innings and gave up two runs (one earned) on five hits with four walks and six strikeouts. The righty threw 57 of his 98 pitches for strikes.
The series now shifts to Midland as game three of the South Division Championship Series takes place Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Security Bank Ballpark. The righty-heavy series continues with Alec Asher pitching opposite Shawn Haviland (7-7, 3.87 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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