Beltre Explodes, 'Riders Win Series
April 11, 2012 - Texas League (TL1)
Frisco RoughRiders News Release
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR -Engel Beltre only hit one home run in 2011.
Six games into the 2012 season, he has three times that.
On Tuesday night, Beltre recorded his second and third long balls of the season, as the RoughRiders pummeled Arkansas 8-1 at Dickey-Stephens Park. Beltre hit a grand slam in the fifth, before hitting a two-run homer in the top of the ninth.
Off the bat, both teams were locked in a pitching duel, with neither side scoring over the first three innings. However in the fifth, Arkansas starter AJ Schugel (0-1) began to fight his command.
Following a single by "ËRiders first baseman Chris McGuiness, Schugel recorded back-to-back fly ball outs, before issuing walks to Guilder Rodriguez and Ryan Strausborger. With the bases loaded, Beltre sent a 2-1 offering over the right field wall to make it 4-0 Frisco.
The Travs pulled within three in the seventh. Staying hot against his former team, Renny Osuna tripled past Strausborger, and later scored on a fielder's choice by Arkansas DH Rian Kiniry.
But the Travelers wouldn't get any closer. Beltre walked to open the RoughRiders eighth, before a single by Hawpe, and a double by second baseman Alex Buchholz restored the visitors lead to four.
Proceeding to pile on in the ninth, Leury Garcia and Rodriguez each registered base hits, before a throwing error by Travs catcher Alberto Rodriguez brought home Garcia. Two batters later, Beltre cleared the bases for the second time, slugging a two-run home run off Arkansas reliever Mike Piazza.
"ËRiders starter Justin Grimm (1-0) picked up his first victory of the season, allowing only a run over 6.1 innings. It's the first Double-A win for the 23-year-old.
The RoughRiders travel home Tuesday night, before a scheduled off-day on Wednesday. Frisco begins their home schedule at Dr Pepper Ballpark on Thursday, April 12 against Springfield at 7:00. For ticket information, please call (972) 731-9200 or visit ridersbaseball.com.
Texas League Stories from April 11, 2012
- Naturals, Royals Extend Player Development Contract - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- "No Rain Guarantee" Issued for Opening Night - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Beltre Explodes, 'Riders Win Series - Frisco RoughRiders
- Travs Get Belted 8-1 by 'Riders - Arkansas Travelers
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