Riders Game Notes - DH at 4:30 p.m. vs. Midland
September 4, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Frisco RoughRiders News Release
RIDERS GAME NOTES - September 4, 2016
First Pitch from Dr Pepper Ballpark in
Frisco, Texas is set for 4:30 p.m.
G1 Riders: RHP Ariel Jurado (1-3, 2.84 ERA) / G2 Riders: LHP Frank Lopez (5-6, 5.48 ERA)
G1 RockHounds: James Naile (0-1, 5.25 ERA) / G2 RockHounds: RHP Andres Avila (6-3, 3.62 ERA)
Full game notes are available online through this link.
Today's games can be heard on the RoughRiders Radio Network at Ridersbaseball.com/media, online and on mobile devices via TuneIn Radio, or on the MiLB First Pitch App. The Dr Pepper Pregame Show with Ryan Rouillard begins at 3:55 p.m. prior to the first pitch at 4:30 p.m. with game coverage from Nathan Barnett and Steve Goldberg. Today's Dr Pepper Pregame Show guest is reliever Ryne Slack.
You may access the 2016 Riders Media Guide online here.
LAST TIME OUT:
The RoughRiders had their two-game winning streak snapped in a 10-3 loss to Midland last night...After falling behind early, Frisco scored a run in the third on an RBI single by LUIS MARTE and another in the fourth on an ALEXEIS BELL sacrifice fly...However, the RockHounds tallied five runs in the fifth inning to pull away...Midland's Richie Martin tallied a career-high-tying five RBI in his second games at the Double-A level...Ben Bracewell tied a career-high by logging six innings of work...JOE JACKSON extended his hit streak to a season-long 10 games, going 1-for-4.
RIDING TO POST-SEASON STARDOM:
Wednesday, the Texas League announced that outfielder RYAN CORDELL and first baseman RONALD GUZMAN were selected to the Texas League Post-Season All-Star team. Cordell is hitting .264 in 107 games this season with 19 homers and 70 RBI. He was the Texas League and Rangers Minor League Player of the Month for April. Cordell has been on the DL since August 3. Guzman was a .288 hitter with 15 homers and 56 RBI in 102 games with the Riders. He participated in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in July and was promoted to Triple-A Round Rock on August 3. Additionally, Riders hitting coach JASON HART was named this year's recipient of the Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Coach of the Year Award.
JACKSON JAMMIN'
Despite a shaky end to the month of August, Joe Jackson has been a bright spot for the Riders lately. Jackson is currently on a season-long 10-game hit streak, and he has reached base in each of his last 16 games. During the hit streak, Jackson is batting .359 (14-for-39) with a home run and six RBI.
SO LONG TO THE STREAK:
The RoughRiders closed out an eight-game losing streak with a win Thursday and followed with another one Friday. The losing skid was tied for the longest of the season (May 24-June 1) and the third-longest in franchise history. During the eight games, the Riders averaged 2.1 runs per game while allowing 4.6.
ADIOS, AUGUST:
The RoughRiders are off to a 2-1 start in September after a rough month of August. The Riders went 7-20 (.259) last month, posting the lowest winning percentage in a month (excluding September) in team history. The previous low winning percentage was .318, set in April 2004 (7-14-1) and April 2005 (7-15). During August, Frisco hit .231 and had a staff ERA of 4.64.
MANHANDLED BY MIDLAND:
After a competitive first half of the season-series between Frisco and Midland, the RockHounds have dominated in the second half. Not only do the Hounds have a much better overall record than the RoughRiders now, but they have won nine of the 11 second-half meetings. The Riders' two second-half wins over Midland have come on June 21 and August 3.The RoughRiders have scored one run or fewer in seven of the 11 games.
THE PEN IS MIGHTIER:
The Riders bullpen has been very reliable the last few weeks, including only allowing one earned run in the last two games (9.0 IP). In the last 12 contests, the bullpen has covered a lot of innings and has performed admirably with a 1.91 ERA (10 ER / 47.0 IP). The relievers have struck out 50 and walked 22, with six of the walks coming Wednesday. For the year, the bullpen has a 3.92 ERA with 506 strikeouts and 246 walks in 509.2 IP.
CHASING THE WRONG HISTORY:
The 2016 RoughRiders got off to one of the best starts in team history. The club had the best record through all but one of the first 45 games of the season, beginning the year an impressive 5-0, 9-1, 17-4, 21-6, and 30-13. Since then, the Riders have struggled in the win column. In fact, at 24-42, the Riders are guaranteed to finish with the worst single-half record in team history. The previous low mark was 29-41 (both halves of 2005 and the first half of last year).
ANOTHER POWER OUTAGE:
For the second time this season, the Riders are in a extended home run drought. Frisco has gone a season-long nine consecutive games without a long ball since JOE JACKSON's solo homer in San Antonio last Wednesday. The previous longest drought was seven games, set June 24-July 3. Additionally, Nick Tanielu's home run against the Riders in the third inning Friday was the first home run hit in a RoughRiders game since Beau Taylor hit one for Midland last Saturday.
MENDEZ MAKES THE MAJORS:
The Texas Rangers recalled former Riders left-handed pitcher YOHANDER MENDEZ prior to Friday's game against the Astros. The 21-year-old will be seeking his Major League debut. He began the season with Class A-Advanced High Desert before vaulting up the ranks. He joined the Riders May 20 and, after a spot start with Triple-A Round Rock on July 5, was promoted back to the Express on August 3. He has a combined 12-3 record with a 2.19 ERA this season, leading the Rangers farm system in wins and ERA, while ranking fourth in strikeouts (113). He became the 10th former Riders player to make the big leagues this year and the third from this year's squad, joining MATT BUSH and JOSE LECLERC.
OPPOSING STARTERS:
Right-handed pitcher James Naile makes the start for Midland in the first game of today's doubleheader...Naile faced the RoughRiders on June 21 and turned in a quality start, allowing three runs on seven hits in six innings pitched...The Cape Girardeau, Missouri native has spent time at all four full-season affiliates in the Athletics farm system this season...Naile was selected in the 20th round of last year's MLB Draft out of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Andres Avila is scheduled to make his first start of the season for the RockHounds in the second game today...Avila's most recent start came last year on April 15 for Class A-Advanced Stockton...The righty has faced Frisco four times this season and has only allowed one run on six hits in 7 2/3 innings pitched...Avila was signed by the Athletics as a non-drafted free agent on April 5, 2010.
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