Pimentel Leads Frisco Past Midland
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MIDLAND, TEXAS – The Frisco RoughRiders got a fantastic pitching performance from Carlos Pimentel in a 5-2 victory on Saturday night at Citibank Ballpark against the Midland RockHounds. Teodoro Martinez launched his seventh long ball of the year, a three-run blast, in the second inning that put Frisco in control.
For the second time this season, Pimentel allowed just one hit over seven innings. With two outs in the first, Anthony Aliotti singled on a blooper to left field. Over the next 21 batters to face Pimentel, only two reached, and both came on walks.
Frisco (25-26) took the lead early on Muphy Smith, who allowed just one earned run against the RoughRiders his first time against them. The RoughRiders were able to hit him much harder this time around. With one out in the second, the ‘Riders tallied three straight singles off the right-hander. With the bases loaded, Hanser Alberto brought home Tomas Telis with a sacrifice fly to open the scoring.
The next batter was Teodoro Martinez. He launched his seventh home run of the season, a three-run shot to left field. His seven long balls set a career high for the Venezuelan outfielder, who hit six with Advaced-A Myrtle Beach last season. The blast put the ‘Riders ahead 4-0 and extended Martinez’ season-high hitting streak to ten games.
Although Pimentel didn’t need more run support, Frisco got another in the sixth, Smith’s final
inning. Again it was Martinez driving home the run. With one out, he knocked home Odubel Herrera on a sacrifice fly.
Pimentel wrapped up his seven innings against Midland (29-32) with six strikeouts to go along with his two walks. Not only did he allow just one hit but also did not allow a man into scoring position. Jimmy Reyes surrendered a couple runs in the eighth and put two on in the ninth, but Ben Rowen came on to record the final out for his eighth save.
Carlos Pimentel (7-2) picked up the win, his 22nd as a member of the RoughRiders, the most career wins for any RoughRiders hurler. He passed former ‘Rider Thomas Diamond, who won 21 games for Frisco. Smith (5-7) took the loss.
On Sunday afternoon the RoughRiders continue their series in Midland against the RockHounds at 4:00 p.m. at Citibank Ballpark. Tyler Tufts (1-1, 4.08 ERA) makes his eighth start of the season, going up against right-hander pitcher Zach Neal (5-3, 4.13 ERA). Fans can tune in to the play-by-play broadcast on www.RidersBaseball.com beginning at 3:40.
The RoughRiders return to Dr Pepper Ballpark Wednesday, June 12 at 7:05 pm, beginning their longest home stand of the season with a four-series against the Corpus Christi Hooks. For information on tickets to see the RoughRiders in 2013, please call (972) 731-9200, email info@ridersbaseball.com or visit www.ridersbaseball.com.
