Riders Lose To Midland
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FRISCO, TEXAS – The Midland RockHounds traveled to Dr Pepper Ballpark to take on the Frisco RoughRiders in their first of a four game set. Alec Asher and Nate Long were both dealing as they combined for 14 strikeouts, but the RockHounds prevailed with a 3-0 win on Monday night.
Asher retired three of the first four batters he faced to start the game while also getting a little help from the defense in the third inning. Renato Nunez hit a line drive off the left field wall when Joey Gallo, starting his first career game in the outfield, threw a strike to Guilder Rodriguez in time to retire Nunez trying to reach second. The putout ended the frame.
It was a scoreless game until the top of the fourth when Chad Pinder led off with a single to right field. He moved to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on a fly out and would later score on yet another wild pitch. The Riders pitching staff allowed five wild pitches on Monday.
The Riders offense threatened in the bottom of the fourth when Gallo walked to lead off the inning and Trever Adams singled, putting runners at the corners. With two outs, J.T. Wise hit a screaming line drive up the middle that Long made an unbelievable play on, catching the ball behind his back to end the inning. Long pitched six innings giving up
three hits and striking out eight in the winning effort. The Riders have struck out 55 times as a team in the last five games.
Asher worked six innings, striking out six but the wild pitch allowing Pinder to score turned out to be enough for the RockHounds.
The RockHounds added a pair of runs on two hits in the seventh inning off Victor Payano. The fifth wild pitch of the night scored Chad Oberacker and Matt Olsen hit a sacrifice fly to deep center that Nick Williams caught as he leaped into the wall.
RockHounds reliever Bobby Wahl worked two perfect innings striking out four of the six hitters he faced. Ryan Dull worked around a pair of hits in the ninth to earn his first save of the season.
The Riders lost their twelfth straight game and turn to Andrew Faulkner (2-2) against Tim Atherton (1-1). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday night. Josh Hamilton is expected to return to the lineup tomorrow night as he continues his rehab assignment with Frisco. It’s another Taco Tuesday where fans can enjoy $2 tacos all game long as well as select $3 beers and half-price margaritas from 6-8 p.m. For tickets to see the Riders in 2015, call 972-731-9200, email Info@RidersBaseball.com or visit www.ridersbaseball.com
