Series Preview: RoughRiders Come Back Still in First
Published on August 9, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
The Naturals took two of three from the Midland RockHounds to start this six-game, homestand, and every bit of it was necessary. Because the second-place Springfield Cardinals were able to get two of three from the slumping San Antonio Missions, and very nearly got all three games -save for the four runs that the Missions scored in the bottom of the ninth last night to beat Springfield 4-3. Thus, the Naturals three-game lead in the Texas League North is intact. The Naturals would like nothing more than to take two of three from the RoughRiders just as they did in Frisco's first visitation to Northwest Arkansas in May. Frisco won the first half for the Texas League South and could be a potential playoff opponent should the Naturals earn a spot and make it past the Arkansas Travelers, who will face the winner of the second half of the TL North.
The RoughRiders roster has dramatically changed from the first time they came to Arvest Ballpark; indeed, there are 11 new players that have joined the team. First baseman Chris Davis, pitchers Tommy Hunter, Matt Harrison, and Michael Ballard, and catcher Max Ramirez have all appeared in the majors since Frisco was last here, and Davis, Hunter, and Harrison are currently still with the Rangers. Nevertheless, though the names and faces on the Frisco squad have changed, the winning hasn't. The RoughRiders enter the series in first place with a 29-18 record in the second half-the same second half record as the Naturals have. Frisco still does have a powerful offense - they're hitting .274 as a squad, third in the loop, and their 116 homers are two off the pace in the Texas League. While a lot of that slugging damage was done by departed mashers Davis, Ramirez, and OF Ben Harrison, the pitching has stabilized (4.40 ERA, fifth in the league), and Frisco has added plentiful speed-their 153 stolen bases are six more than the Naturals have, and the combination of pitching and speed has allowed them to continue to win ballgames.
There are still a six of the Rangers' top 30 prospects on the Frisco roster, led by spectacular SS Elvis Andrus, who Baseball America regards as the Rangers' number one prospect, generally serves as Frisco's leadoff hitter, and has 44 steals and a .289 average to go along with four homers and 53 RBI. The 19-year old was one of the prize prospects the Rangers got from the Atlanta Braves in the Mark Teixeira trade last July. The roster also includes RHP Neftali Feliz (#5), another piece acquired from the Braves in the Teixiera deal, OF Julio Borbon (#9), RHP Thomas Diamond (#19), the former member of the famed 'DVD' trio of prospects (along with John Danks, traded to the White Sox, and Edison Volquez, traded to the Reds), speedy 2B Jose Vallejo (#28), and right-handed reliever Brennan Garr (#29). They also have one of their sluggers remaining: OF Steven Murphy, who leads the league in doubles and has 18 homers and 77 RBI. Newcomer Chad Tracy had 13 homers and 67 RBI with Bakersfield, the Rangers' Advanced-A California League affiliate. Former Diamond Hog Craig Gentry, a staple of the Frisco lineup for much of the season, will miss this series as he was promoted Friday to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Rangers' starter Kevin Millwood, on a rehab assignment, is scheduled to pitch the first game of the series against Naturals righty Blake Wood. Game two will send Frisco righty Jared Hyatt to the mound against Naturals' southpaw Rowdy Hardy, and the series wraps Monday with Naturals right-hander Julio Pimentel facing Frisco right-hander Thomas Diamond.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale. The Naturals have a toll-free ticket hotline (1-877-444-2637) for fans to purchase Naturals tickets. Our website also offers fans the opportunity to purchase tickets online and avoid lines at the ticket windows by printing their tickets at home or at the office.
Texas League Stories from August 9, 2008
- Stavisky And Trumbo Lead Travs To Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Midland's Bats Beat Tulsa - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Take Rain-Shortened Game vs. Frisco - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Bud and Friends Deal for Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Cards Drop Series-Opener in Corpus Christi - Springfield Cardinals
- Watch Hooks Baseball Live Sunday - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Series Preview: RoughRiders Come Back Still in First - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Travs Win Second Straight At C.C. - Arkansas Travelers
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.
