Riders Game Notes - 7:05 at Corpus Christi Hooks - April 22, 2016
April 22, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Frisco RoughRiders News Release
Riders: RHP Sam Wolff (2-0, 1.64 ERA)
Hooks: RHP Francis Martes (1-0, 2.70 ERA)
Today's game 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 Steve Goldberg begins at 6:30 p.m. prior to the first pitch at 7:05 p.m. with game coverage from Nathan Barnett and Ryan Rouillard. Today's Dr Pepper Pregame Show guest is Riders reliever Ryne Slack.
LAST TIME OUT:
The RoughRiders wasted no time getting things started against the Hooks, scoring five runs in the first two innings. After ZACH CONE's RBI single in the first, RYAN CORDELL launched his second grand slam in the last five games an inning later. Meanwhile, right-hander CONNOR SADZECK carried a no-hitter through 5 1/3 innings, and allowed just two hits and two runs in 6 2/3 frames, before a trio of relievers helped finish off Frisco's sixth road win in seven games away from home, as the Riders won 5-2.
RIDING HIGH:
The RoughRiders won nine of their first 10 games this season, marking the best 10-game start in team history. At 10-3, the RoughRiders are tied with the 2008 squad for the best start in the 14-year history of the franchise. The 2008 RoughRiders finished with an 84-56 record and lost to Arkansas in the Texas League championship series.
EXTRA! EXTRA!:
RYAN CORDELL has been on a roll early in the season, leading the Texas League in doubles (7), extra-base hits (10) and RBI (16). He is also tied for the league lead in hits (17), runs (11) and total bases (33). In addition, Cordell has more extra-base hits (10) than singles (7). His .673 slugging percentage ranks fifth in the Texas League.
DOUBLE TROUBLE:
Through the first two weeks of the season, the Riders are tied for the Texas League lead with 25 doubles. 10 of Frisco's 13 hitters already have a double this year, and five of them have multiple two-baggers.
CONE IN THE ZONE:
After starting the season 4-for-26, ZACH CONE has 5 hits in his last 10 at-bats, including 3 extra-base hits and 6 RBI. Cone went 3-for-4 with 2 home runs and 3 RBI in Tuesday's loss to Arkansas.
STARTING SERIES STRONG:
With their win Thursday night, the RoughRiders have yet to lose a series-opening game in five tries this season. Frisco has won three of its first four series, including two sweeps.
SCORING SOONER:
Early on, the RoughRiders had trouble scoring early in games. 25 of the 34 runs they scored over their first seven games came in the sixth inning or later. But in their last six games, 25 of their 29 runs have come within the first five innings.
SEPARATION IN THE SIXTH:
The Riders have been strong late in games this season, especially in the sixth inning. Frisco has scored at least one run in the sixth in seven of the first 13 games and is outscoring opponents, 17-0, in the frame.
THE 'PEN IS MIGHTIER:
While almost every facet of the RoughRiders team has been clicking early on, the bullpen has been especially strong for the Riders. Over the past nine games, the 'pen has allowed just five runs in the last 39 2/3 innings (1.13 ERA). Over that stretch, relievers have allowed just 20 hits and 17 walks (0.93 WHIP), while striking out 32.
ONCE ISN'T ENOUGH:
Early on, multi-hit games have been a trend throughout the Riders lineup. Nine different players have registered a multi-hit game in 2016, led by four from LEWIS BRINSON, RONALD GUZMAN, and JOE JACKSON.
CRANKING UP CROOKED NUMBERS:
Early in the season, the RoughRiders have shown an ability to not only score in bunches but keep opponents from doing the same. The RoughRiders have tallied four four-run innings, two five-run frames and a six-spot (all vs NW Arkansas). Meanwhile, the Riders have only allowed one run of more than two innings (4, 4/19/16 vs Arkansas).
DOUBLE THE BROOMS:
Saturday, the RoughRiders broke out the brooms against Northwest Arkansas for the second time this year. It marked the first time the Riders have swept the same team twice in the same half since the second half of 2009, when the RoughRiders swept Arkansas in both series.
RANGER DANGER:
The RoughRiders aren't the only Rangers affiliate off to a hot start. Overall, the Rangers farm system is 40-16 (.714), good for the best winning percentage among all minor-league systems. Class-A Hickory and Class A-Advanced High Desert each enter today at 11-4, and Triple-A Round Rock is 8-5. Round Rock was recently ranked the fifth-best Minor League team (any level) by MLB.com's Jim Callis.
TOP OF THE CLASS:
The RoughRiders enter the season with six players ranked in either Baseball America or MLBPipeline.com's Rangers Top 30 Prospects. LEWIS BRINSON, the No. 2 prospect in Rangers' farm system according to MLBPipeline.com and Baseball America, returns to Frisco. He appeared in 28 games for the Riders last season, hitting .291 with six home runs and 23 RBI before being promoted to Round Rock. Brinson is joined by five other players named in the lists- RYAN CORDELL (No. 15 in MLB, No. 11 in BA), RONALD GUZMAN (23, 29), JOSE LECLERC (25, 21), SAM WOLFF (26, NR), and CONNOR SADZECK (27, 26).
OPPOSING STARTER:
Brought over during a trade-deadline deal between the Astros and Marlins in 2014 (headlined by Jarred Cosart), FRANCIS MARTES is quickly rising up the ranks in the Astros farm system. The 20-year-old right-hander joined the Hooks late last August and is off to a great start with Corpus Christi this season (1-0, 2.70 ERA in 10.0 IP)...A native of the Dominican Republic, Martes checks in as the second-best Astros prospect in the eyes of Baseball America, while MLB Pipeline tabbed him the third best Houston farmhand prior to the season. His fastball typically zips in between 93 and 95 miles per hour, occasionally topping out at 98. He also employs a curveball, and continues to develop a changeup.
Texas League Stories from April 22, 2016
- 3 Home Runs Not Enough for Drillers in Springdale - Tulsa Drillers
- Burg, Beck Bolster 'Riders - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Edge Cardinals in Narrow 3-1 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Missions' Bats Erupt to Even Series - San Antonio Missions
- Naturals Claim 5th Straight Victory at Home - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Balanced Offense Helps San Antonio Even Series - San Antonio Missions
- Riders Game Notes - 7:05 at Corpus Christi Hooks - April 22, 2016 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Riders Holding Fan Vote for Star Trek-Inspired Jerseys - Frisco RoughRiders
- RockHounds Are All Heart (Of the Order) - Midland RockHounds
- Travs Take Opener in Arkansas - Springfield Cardinals
- RockHounds Crush Missions 9-2 - San Antonio Missions
- Drillers Unable to Overcome Big Third Inning - Tulsa Drillers
- Travs Bats Stay Hot in 9-4 Series Opening Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Sadzeck, Cordell Lead RoughRiders - Corpus Christi Hooks
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