Results tagged ‘ Mike Adams ’
Game 4 Preview – San Antonio at Frisco
Texas League South Division Series
San Antonio Missions at Frisco RoughRiders
Saturday, September 10 – 7:05 p.m.
Game 4 – San Antonio leads 2-1
GAME 4 BACKGROUND:
The RoughRiders face elimination tonight in Game 4 of this South Division Series after San Antonio’s 5-3 win Friday at Dr Pepper Ballpark. The ‘Riders battled back from three separate deficits in Game 3, but Cody Decker’s eighth-inning solo shot, his second homer of the game, proved to be the difference. Frisco used five pitchers in the loss, four of whom allowed at least one run. With a win tonight, the Missions would return to the Texas League Championship Series for the first time since winning the title in 2007. The RoughRiders are 1-4 all-time when facing elimination in the postseason.
STARTING PITCHERS:
Frisco – RHP Adalberto Flores (5-4, 3.32 ERA): Flores joined the rotation late in the regular season after Derek Hankins’ promotion to Triple-A Round Rock. Tonight will be Flores’ fourth career minor league start. In his two starts thus far this season, Flores has allowed eight runs (seven earned) in seven and two-thirds innings. Against the Missions, Flores is 1-1 with a 4.96 earned run average in eight appearances spanning 16 and a third frames. Flores was a midseason All-Star in the Texas League after going 2-1 with a 2.41 ERA in the first half.
San Antonio – LHP Robbie Erlin (1-0, 1.38 ERA): For the second time this series, the RoughRiders must square off with a former Frisco hurler. Erlin has shined in six starts with the Missions since the Rangers traded Erlin and Joe Wieland, who earned the Game 1 win for San Antonio, for San Diego reliever Mike Adams. The Padres’ front office has been cautious with Erlin’s pitch and inning count, which explains why he is averaging barely more than four innings per start with the Missions. This figures to change tonight, as it did with Wieland Wednesday. Overall this year, Erlin is 9-4 with a 2.99 ERA.
FRISCO FACTS:
- San Antonio’s offense has forced Frisco’s pitching staff to work in this series. Through the first three games, the ‘Riders have had to throw 445 pitches, or 17.1 per inning. Compare that to San Antonio, a unit that has needed only 353 pitches. This calculates to 13.1 per frame.
- In particular, Frisco’s starters have labored through their outings. The trio of Robbie Ross (6IP, 1R, 107 pitches), Ben Snyder (6IP, 0R, 100 pitches) and Carlos Pimentel (4IP, 2R, 80 pitches) have ultimately been successful. They have a combined earned run average of 1.69. However, the bullpen has been taxed because the Missions have elevated the pitch counts quickly.
- Mitch Hilligoss has been the best hitter not only on the RoughRiders, but in the Texas League this postseason. Hilligoss paces all Texas Leaguers with a .385 batting average (5-for-13). The next highest batting average on the ‘Riders is Renny Osuna’s .250 mark.
- Offense has been tough to come by in both divisional series here in 2011. Hilligoss is one of only three men to hover above .300. San Antonio’s Cody Decker (.364) and Blake Tekotte (.333) are the others.
- The Arkansas-Northwest Arkansas series, which is now 2-1 in favor of the Travs after the Naturals stayed alive with a 3-1 win last night, has only featured eight runs. Through three games, Roberto Lopez’s .273 average is the best in that set.
- Low-A Hickory’s season is done after a 2-0 loss at home to Greensboro last night. The Grasshoppers swept the ‘Dads 2-0. High-A Myrtle Beach will face elimination tonight after losing at Kinston 7-0 Friday. Triple-A Round Rock barely avoided a sweep in a 9-8, 11-inning win over Omaha. The Storm Chasers still lead the set 2-1.
BROADCAST INFORMATION:
You can catch tonight’s game, along with every 2011 playoff game, on 1630 KKGM or online here. You will hear from Frisco skipper Steve Buechele in addition to former RoughRider Robbie Erlin on the pre-game show, which begins at 6:35.
Playoff Pitching Matchups
The RoughRiders and Missions will begin their divisional round series Wednesday night in San Antonio. At this point, we know the probable pitchers for both Game 1 and Game 2. Let’s go inside the matchups.
Game 1 – Wednesday
Frisco at San Antonio
LHP Robbie Ross (1-1, 2.61 ERA) v. RHP Joe Wieland (3-1, 2.77 ERA)
These two hurlers led the Rangers’ High-A affiliate–the Myrtle Beach Pelicans–to a first-half division title earlier this season. Wieland earned a promotion to Frisco in late June. All the righty did with the RoughRiders was post a 1.23 ERA in seven starts. Two days after tossing a no-hitter in San Antonio, Wieland joined the Missions after the Rangers’ shipped him and Robbie Erlin to San Diego’s system for Mike Adams.
Robbie Ross gets the call for Game 1 Wednesday (Alex Yocum-Beeman).
With the Missions, Wieland still has great numbers. However, his final outing of the regular season was his shakiest at the Double-A level. Wieland surrendered four runs on ten hits in five innings Wednesday night against Midland. He needed more than 100 pitches to get through those five frames.
Ross remained with the Pelicans through July and earned the Carolina League Pitcher of the Year honor. Despite the tougher competition, Ross has had similar success with the RoughRiders. In 38 innings of work, Ross has struck out 36 and given up only 11 earned runs.
The southpaw faced San Antonio August 26 and lasted seven innings. He gave up three runs, two of which were earned, on seven hits. While Ross did not get the win, Frisco earned the victory that night.
Game 2 – Thursday
Frisco at San Antonio
LHP Ben Snyder (11-5, 3.87 ERA) v. RHP Simon Castro (5-6, 4.33 ERA)
After 26 relief appearances, Snyder joined the RoughRiders’ starting rotation at the outset of the second half. Snyder has been steady for Frisco, posting a 4.15 ERA in his 14 starts. Entering the playoffs, Snyder has notched a quality start in five straight efforts, and he has worked through six frames in his last seven starts. He leads the club in wins with 11.
Ben Snyder hopes to continue his success against lefties Thursday night (Alex Yocum-Beeman).
Snyder is dominant against fellow left-handers, who have just a .202 average against the Bellevue, Ohio native. This could be a huge asset against San Antonio. The Missions carry six lefties, including the likes of Jaff Decker, Sawyer Carroll and Blake Tekotte.
The Padres’ number three prospect according to Baseball America, Castro has made 16 starts with the Missions this season. Castro is a specimen at 6’5″, 210 pounds, and he has strong strikeout numbers (73 in 89 1/3 innings). Since August 1, the righty is 2-1 with a 2.37 ERA.
Against the RoughRiders, Castro has been pretty solid. He is only 1-2, but his ERA sits at 2.67. He has whiffed 25 in 27 innings of work over the course of four starts.
Beyond these two games, the RoughRiders’ starters have yet to be announced. For San Antonio, right-hander Casey Kelly will start Game 3. Game 4 and Game 5′s hurlers have not been set yet. Stay tuned for continuing playoff coverage, including an interview with Frisco’s Game 1 starter–Robbie Ross.
- Brian
PlayBall! Preview
We have been working on a special version of the PlayBall! game program for the playoffs, and you can get a sneak peak at the feature story here. It is a summary of the 2011 season, and it brings back some memories from a tremendous five-month.
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The RoughRiders’ Run to the Playoffs
For the sixth time in franchise history, the RoughRiders are in the Texas League playoffs. Find out how the ‘Riders reached this point in our season rewind.
A Texas League season is a grind, with long trips, steamy temperatures, and few breaks. It is a long journey with peaks and valleys. Here in the RoughRiders’ ninth season, there were enough peaks for Frisco to enjoy playoff baseball for the sixth time.
April was a struggle for second-year skipper Steve Buechele’s club. The ‘Riders finished the month in the South Division’s basement at 8-14. The signature moment of the rough April was quite a notable one, though. Martin Perez, the Rangers’ top prospect, tossed a rain-shortened perfect game at Arkansas April 19.
By May 13, the ‘Riders worked their way back to the .500 mark. Later in the month, Frisco staked its claim to second place with a four-game sweep of Midland at Dr Pepper Ballpark. From this point on, the ‘Riders spent more time in second place than any other team in the Texas League.
The RoughRiders received some temporary help in May. Last year’s American League Most Valuable Player Josh Hamilton hit a home run during his two-day rehab stint in Frisco. Nelson Cruz also graced the middle of the ‘Riders’ order for three games while battling back from an injury. Big name pitchers like Neftali Feliz, Tommy Hunter and Brandon Webb rehabbed in Frisco, too.
Leonys Martin's stateside career began in Frisco, and he is now in Arlington. (James Garner)
Also, outfielder Leonys Martin made his stateside debut with the RoughRiders after the Rangers inked Martin to a $15.5 million dollar contract. Martin hit .348 in 29 games with the ‘Riders before heading to Triple-A Round Rock.
Frisco finished the first half strongly, but a 40-30 mark was not good enough to notch a division championship after San Antonio’s 49-win showing. Individually, Tommy Mendonca was the star of the show in June. Mendonca was the Texas League’s Player of the Month after boasting a .375 batting average and driving in 30 runs.
July was a month for the record books in Frisco. The ‘Riders matched a franchise-high in runs in their 19-4 thumping of Corpus Christi July 22. Mendonca hit three of the RoughRiders’ record-setting eight home runs.
One week later, Joe Wieland became the first RoughRider to single-handedly throw a nine-inning no-hitter at San Antonio. Less than 48 hours after the no-no, the Rangers dealt Wieland and Robbie Erlin to San Diego for big league reliever Mike Adams. As a result, the former Frisco duo joined San Antonio’s loaded rotation.
The 'Riders begin their 2011 playoff journey Wednesday in San Antonio (Alex Yocum-Beeman).
The RoughRiders spent the month of August holding off Midland for a playoff berth. They officially clinched a spot in the season’s final week, a few days after the ‘Riders took three of four from their first round opponent—San Antonio.
Over the course of 140 games, the ‘Riders played well enough to earn a chance to vie for the Texas League’s richest prize. The club has been among the best in the league in most categories this season, and Frisco is well positioned to have a September to remember for the first time since 2004—the franchise’s first and only championship season.
The RoughRiders have won regularly here in 2011, and now only six playoff wins separate the ‘Riders from a title.
- Brian
Wieland’s Return to Frisco
July 31 was a big day for both the RoughRiders and the San Antonio Missions. Two days after Joe Wieland pitched a no-hitter in San Antonio, Wieland and Robbie Erlin made the surreal walk from the visitor clubhouse to the home clubhouse at the Wolff. Wieland and Erlin were traded to San Diego for big league reliever Mike Adams.
Joe Wieland blanked the 'Riders over five innings Thursday night in Frisco (Alex Yocum-Beeman).
Erlin squared off against the ‘Riders August 8 and held them to one run on two hits in six innings. Last night at Dr Pepper Ballpark, Wieland was just as good.
Wieland blanked his former club over five quick innings. The right-hander struck out three and walked two. He only allowed one runner to reach third base. Before he threw pitch number one, the Missions led 3-0. After an inning and a half, San Antonio extended that lead to 8-0.
When you combine his stats during his time in Myrtle Beach, Frisco and San Antonio this season, Wieland is 13-3 with a 1.79 earned run average. In 150 2/3 innings, Wieland has struck out 144 and walked 18. In his first four starts with the Missions, Wieland is 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA.
Yesterday, Wieland was our pre-game guest. He discussed his comfort level in San Antonio, his excitement for the playoffs, and his scheduled start in game one of the first round of the playoffs, which will most likely come against the ‘Riders.
You can listen to Wieland’s interview below.
- Brian
Alumni Report
The RoughRiders have made 82 different transactions this season, and many players have come and gone. Let’s update you on a few of the guys who are no longer with the RoughRiders and, in some cases, no longer even in the Rangers’ system.
Miguel De Los Santos: A member of the 40-man roster, De Los Santos is the reigning Carolina League Pitcher of the Week after tossing seven no-hit innings for Myrtle Beach against Potomac Saturday. The P-Nationals broke up the no-no bid in the ninth inning after De Los Santos left. The southpaw is 3-3 with a 2.95 earned run average in eight High-A appearances this season with the Pelicans.
Robbie Erlin: After the Rangers sent him to the San Diego farm system in the Mike Adams deal, Erlin joined up with the best team in minor league baseball–the San Antonio Missions. So far, Erlin has made two starts and he has thrived. Erlin has surrendered only one run on seven hits in 12 innings of work. However, the southpaw is without a decision with San Antonio. Overall this season, Erlin is 8-4 with a 3.11 ERA.
Tommy Hunter: The Rangers sent Hunter and former RoughRider Chris Davis for reliever Koji Uehara. So far with the Orioles, Hunter is 0-1 with a 6.94 ERA in three appearances (two starts). In 11 and two-thirds innings, Hunter has allowed nine runs on 17 hits.
Leonys Martin: In his 58 minor league games since signing as an amateur free agent with the Rangers in early May, Martin is hitting .306. However, the outfielder has a .269 batting average with Triple-A Round Rock. In his 25 games with the Express, Martin has driven in 13 runs and stolen four bases. In a strange split, Martin is batting .394 against fellow lefties but only .213 against righties in Triple-A.
Martin Perez: The Rangers’ top prospect is 3-2 with a 5.28 ERA in six starts with Triple-A Round Rock. Perez has had two great outings in a row, including last night’s no decision against Tacoma (5.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 K). Opponents at Triple-A are hitting a pretty healthy .341 against Perez in his first six efforts for Round Rock.
Guilder Rodriguez: In Rodriguez’s second go-around at the Triple-A level, the infielder is batting .278 with nine RBIs in 22 games with the Express. For the most part, Rodriguez has batted ninth and played at shortstop. However, he is getting some time at second base with Nick Green now on the Round Rock roster.
Tanner Scheppers: Scheppers joined Triple-A Round Rock Saturday after a couple of months with the RoughRiders. The dynamic reliever has tossed five innings with the Express, and he has allowed nine hits but only one run. Last night against Tacoma, Scheppers tossed three shutout innings during extra frames.
Joe Wieland: Wieland accompanied Erlin to San Antonio in the deadline deal with the Padres, but not before the righty posted the fourth no-hitter in Frisco history. With the Missions, Wieland has made one start, during which he went six innings and gave up a run on three hits. Wieland will start for the Missions tonight at Springfield.
- Brian
