Ramirez Fans Nine to Topple the Hooks, 6-4
Published on May 9, 2013 under Texas League (TL1)
Frisco RoughRiders News Release
COPRUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (MAY 9, 2013) - The Frisco RoughRiders hung on for a victory against the first place Corpus Christi Hooks 6-4 at Whataburger Field on Thursday night. Frisco allowed three runs on an error in the seventh inning but survived to pull within one game of Corpus Christi for the top spot in the Texas League.
The first half of the game flew by on the right arms of Thursday night's starting pitchers. Corpus Christi's Jake Buchanan faced the minimum through five. Frisco (18-15) mustered just two singles off the starter and both runners were erased on double plays. Neil Ramirez allowed only two baserunners through the first five frames as well, one on a double and another when he hit a batter. Neither allowed a run in the first five innings.
Both teams struck for runs in the sixth. The Hooks (19-14) went to Buchanan's tandem partner in Carlos Quevedo, and things did not go well for him. Chih-Hsien Chiang knocked his first long ball of the year to lead off the sixth and give Frisco a 1-0 advantage. Guilder Rodriguez, who went three-for-four on the night, then singled and stole second. Hanser Alberto singled him home to make it 2-0 RoughRiders.
The Hooks led off the home half of the sixth inning with a solo shot of their own. Erik Castro hit his second home run of the season to score the first run off Ramirez on the night and cut the lead to 2-1.
The 'Riders responded with three more runs in the seventh inning. Brett Nicholas launched his team-leading seventh home run to start the frame, and Rodriguez brought in two with a double later in the inning. When Ramirez returned for the seventh inning, the first time he has done so this season, he did it with a 5-1 advantage.
Ramirez didn't make it through the seventh, however. After a double and walk around the first two outs of the frame, he was lifted for reliever Phil Klein. Klein walked his first man to load the bases but got a fly ball off the bat of Castro that should have kept the 5-1 lead in-tact. Chiang lost the ball in left field, as it went off his glove and behind him. The two-bag error plated three runs and made it a one-run game at 5-4.
Ramirez finished with a season-high 6.2 innings, with four runs to his ledger but only one earned, struck out a season-high nine and walked one. He allowed five hits. Klein escaped after the three-run error as well, keeping Ramirez in-line for the win.
Frisco added an insurance run in the ninth, but Wilmer Font didn't need it. Font tossed two scoreless innings for his fifth save, helping Ramirez (3-0) nail down the win. He struck out three, walked one and gave up one hit. Quevedo (1-3), who allowed five runs, all earned, took the loss.
Frisco continues its four-game series in Corpus Christi on Saturday at 7:05 pm. Kevin Pucetas makes the start for the RoughRiders (4-2, 3.38 ERA), opposing Nick Tropeano (0-2, 1.91 ERA) who makes his first start against Frisco this season. Fans can tune in to the play-by-play broadcast on www.RidersBaseball.com beginning at 6:40.
Frisco will return to Dr Pepper Ballpark Monday, May 13 at 7 p.m. when they host Midland. For information on tickets to see the RoughRiders in 2013, please call (972) 731-9200, email info@ridersbaseball.com or visit www.ridersbaseball.com .
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