Mendez shuts down Cards, but Riders fall 1-0
SPRINGFIELD, MO. (May 27, 2016) - Led by five strong innings from Rangers prospect Yohander Mendez, the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, allowed just two hits to the Springfield Cardinals in Friday night's series opener but were shut out, 1-0.
Harrison Bader broke the scoreless tie with a solo home run off reliever Ryne Slack (2-1) in the eighth inning. It was his 10th home run of the season and second in as many nights. Springfield's only other hit came on an infield single from Carson Kelly in the second inning.
Before Bader's go-ahead home run, Mendez-the 13th-ranked Rangers prospect, according to MLBPipeline.com-had the Cardinals (26-22) on lockdown, pitching five scoreless innings, allowing just the one hit while walking three and striking out three in a no-decision. David Perez followed with two more scoreless frames of relief and did not allow a hit, but Slack couldn't maintain the scoreless stalemate.
Springfield starter Daniel Poncedeleon kept the Riders (30-17) off the board for 7 2/3 innings, allowing five hits with six strikeouts. He exited the game after hitting Luis Mendez and walking Lewis Brinson with two outs in the eighth. Isiah Kiner-Falefa drew a walk against the reliever Ronnie Shaban (2-0) to load the bases, but Ryan Cordell struck out swinging to end the threat.
Friday's loss marked the fourth straight defeat for the Riders, who have lost all four games on the current road trip by two runs or fewer. Frisco continues its three-game series Saturday night at 6:10 p.m. against the Springfield Cardinals. Righty Reed Garrett (1-0) is scheduled to make the start for the RoughRiders, working against Springfield's right-hander Trey Nielsen (5-3). Live coverage can be heard on the Frisco RoughRiders Radio Network, on the TuneIn Radio App, and the MiLB First Pitch App. Dr Pepper Pregame Show coverage begins at 5:35 p.m.
The RoughRiders return home Tuesday, May 31 to begin a six-game homestand against the Tulsa Drillers and the Springfield Cardinals. The homestand includes Superhero Night on Saturday, June 4th. Tickets for that game and the other games on the homestand are available now online at RidersBaseball.com, via email at [email protected], over the phone at (972) 731-9200, or in-person at the RoughRiders box office.
About the RoughRiders
The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play their games at beautiful Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. The team was founded in 2003 and has finished first among all Double-A franchises in attendance in each of the last 11 seasons (2005-2015). In August 2014, the RoughRiders were purchased by an ownership group led by Chuck Greenberg and Scott Sonju. The new ownership group, together with the city of Frisco, has spearheaded numerous major franchise improvements over the past two seasons, investing over $7 million in wide array of facility upgrades and improvements, including the new state-of-the-art HD video board, sound system, Bull Moose Saloon, InTouch Grille, Riders Outpost Team Store, and the newest and biggest creation, the 174-foot Choctaw Lazy River. The improvements made prior to the 2015 season earned the Riders and the City of Frisco "Best Ballpark Renovation" of 2015 by Ballpark Digest. More than 130 former RoughRiders players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including All-Stars Chris Davis, Elvis Andrus, Adrian Gonzalez, Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz, and C.J. Wilson as well as current Rangers stars Derek Holland, Rougned Odor, and Mitch Moreland. For more information on the Frisco RoughRiders and Dr Pepper Ballpark, please visit RidersBaseball.com or contact Nathan Barnett at (972) 334-1976 or via e-mail at [email protected].
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