Cards top \'Riders in Home Opener
Published on April 16, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Frisco RoughRiders News Release
The RoughRiders and Cardinals battled in a 3:43, nine-inning marathon with Springfield coming out on top 11-9. Both teams combined for 16 walks, four hit-by-pitches, and three wild pitches in the longest nine-inning game for Frisco since June 10, 2008 (3:51). Jose Vallejo had a game-best four hits and a team-high three RBI for the RoughRiders.
Springfield jumped on top early with three runs in the first frame, but Frisco answered with a pair of runs in the second inning on an RBI double by Steve Murphy who then scored on a Manny Pina RBI single. The âRiders took the lead in the fourth frame with three runs to give Frisco the 5-3 advantage.
However, the Cardinals would score eight runs over the next four innings as they retook the lead over the âRiders. Frisco battled back with a pair of runs in the sixth and eighth to make the score 11-9 and the bases loaded with no outs, but Chad Tracy fouled out and Dustin Majewski and Adam Fox both struck out to seal the win for Springfield.
Kasey Kiker had a rocky second start for the âRiders, giving up five runs on six hits over five innings of work, including four walks and five strikeouts. Beau Jones (0-1) took the loss for Frisco, allowing three runs and four walks over 1.1 innings. Elvis Hernandez (3-0) earned the victory for Springfield with a scoreless 0.2 innings of work and Francisco Samuel notched his second save of the season.
The Frisco offense collected a season-best 15 hits in the loss, including the RoughRiders' first triple of the season by Marcus Lemon. Vallejo, Murphy, Pina, Lemon, and Craig Gentry each had multi-hit performances and Murphy had a game-best three runs scored. Lemon extended his early season hitting streak to six games and pushed his batting average to a Texas League-best .550.
Frisco will look to even the series Friday night against Springfield as Tommy Hunter (1-0, 7.94) will take the hill against Brandon Dickson (1-0, 1.50) of the Cardinals. First pitch is set for 7:00 from Dr Pepper Ballpark.
Texas League Stories from April 16, 2009
- Drillers Fall In Home Opener - Tulsa Drillers
- Cards top âRiders in Home Opener - Frisco RoughRiders
- Sutton's Sliding Catch Starves Hounds - Arkansas Travelers
- Naturals walk off with a 5-4 win in home opener - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers' timely hits are Missions' downfall - San Antonio Missions
- Keoni Ruth Promoted from Lake Elsinore - San Antonio Missions
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
