Welcome to "Chatter from the Pressbox", the website dedicated to the Pressbox of the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers.

Today's Matchups Around the Ranger's System

Today's (5/20) Match-Ups Around the Ranger's System

Round Rock: Martin Perez (3-3 5.27) vs. Fresno Grizzlies: Andrew Kown (3-1 2.61) @ 1:00 PM CT

Myrtle Beach: Kyle Hendricks (1-4 2.91) @ Wilmington Blue Rocks: Sugar Ray Marimon (3-0 2.65) @ 12:30 PM CT

Hickory : Santo Perez (2-2 6.19) @ Asheville Tourists: Daniel Winkler (4-2 6.06) @ 1:05 PM CT



Friday, April 15, 2011

Game 8: Frisco RoughRiders (Jacob Brigham) @ Springfield Cardinals (Deryk Hooker)

Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Hammons Field (Springfield, MO)
Team Records: Frisco RoughRiders (3-4 3 games back in the Texas League South)... Springfield Cardinals (3-4 2 games back in the Texas League North)
Streak: Lost 3 in a row
Starting Pitchers: Jacob Brigham (0-0 5.40 ERA) vs. Deryk Hooker (0-0 4.15 ERA)


What to Watch for on the Mound: Both pitchers will be making their 2nd starts of the year... Jacob Brigham pitched against Springfield last Saturday and pitched well despite not getting a decision. In 5 innings of work, he gave up 5 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 1 walk, and struck out 7. His fastball reached mid 90s in the start. Brigham, who missed the 2008 season with Tommy John Surgery, looks to stop the Rider's 3 game losing streak... Deryk Hooker made his first start on April 10th on the road against the Midland Rockhounds. He allowed 2 runs on 7 hits in 4 1/3 innings, while striking out 1 and allowing 1 walk. In 3 of the 4 minor league seasons he has played, Hooker has had a sub 3 ERA and he has a cumulative K/9 ratio of 9.9. He was suspended for 50 games in 2009 for violating the minor league baseball drug policy, but came back with an 8-7 record and a 2.93 ERA with 127 strikeouts in 111 1/3 innings in 2010 between low-A and high-A.

Dealing with an Ace: After struggling in his first start, Martin Perez put his struggles behind him with a stellar start on Thursday. The Ranger's best prospect went 5 shutout innings, gave up 4 hits, 2 walks, struck out a career high 9 batters, and left with a 4-0 lead after throwing 81 pitches, 51 of which went for strikes.

Minor League Leader: Michael Bianucci hit another homerun during the 4th inning on Thursday night. The homerun was his 5th of the year, which tied him for the minor league lead in homeruns with Paul Goldschmidt (Diamondbacks) and Jorge Vazquez (Yankees). He also walked, scored 2 runs, and drove in 2 runs in the game.

Bullpen Woes: When Perez left after 5 with a 4-0 lead, he may have thought that was safe given the bullpen came in with a 3.34 ERA on the early parts of the season. However, the bullpen had an off night as Corey Young gave up 3 runs on 6 hits in 1 1/3 innings, and then Fabio Castillo, who was just activated from the DL, gave up 6 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks in just 1/3 of an inning in his 2011 debut. The Riders went from leading 4-0 to down 9-4 in a matter of 2 innings.

Finding His Stroke: Jonathan Greene went 2 for 4 on Thursday with a double and a RBI. It represented his 3rd straight game with a double as he's 5 for 11 so far in the 2011 season. Consider that in 234 at bats in 2010 he had 9 doubles and 20 total extra base hits, so 3 through 11 looks pretty good. 

And the List Gets Shorter: At the beginning of Thursday, the Riders were one of 9 teams in minor league baseball to not have given up an unearned run this season. After another game without an unearned run, the Riders are now one of just 5 teams in minor league baseball and one of just 2 teams at AA or higher, with the Jacksonville Suns (AA affiliate of the Florida Marlins) being the other. It goes to show the kind of defense that Frisco has been playing as they have committed just 2 errors through 7 games in 2011.


Butler's Debut: Joey Butler, who was promoted to AAA in the absence of Hamilton (Davis promoted to replace Hamilton), helped Round Rock to a 7-5 win over Omaha. He went 1 for 2 at the plate with a single, and walked 2 times as well. He was part of an 8th inning rally as the Express scored 3 runs to win 7-5. Butler's run was the go ahead run as he scored on a bases clearing triple by Kevin Cash with the bases loaded and 1 out.

Around the Ranger's System:
As stated Round Rock (AAA) won 7-5 over the Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City). Former Rider Chad Tracy went 2 for 4 at the plate with his 1st homerun of the 2011 season. Another former Rider, Zach Phillips, picked up the save (his 2nd on the season) with a perfect 9th inning....

Myrtle Beach (high-A) lost 6-5 to the Frederick Keys (Baltimore). Michael Olt went 1 for 4 with a double and a walk at the plate. Travis Adair reached base 5 times going 2 for 2, including a double with 3 walks. Former Rider Kasey Kiker continues to struggle with command as he took the loss after giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 1 hit and 4 walks in 1 1/3 innings. Since having a 3.86 ERA and a below average, but moderate 4.7 BB/9 for Frisco in 2009, Kiker has walked 53 batters in his last 42 innings and has a 7.93 ERA during that time...

Hickory (low-A) lost 6-1 to the Savannah Sand Gnats (New York Mets). Nick Tepesch gave up 2 unearned runs in 4 innings of work. He struck out 2, walked none, and gave up 4 singles. 2010 1st round pick Jake Skole went 1 for 4 at the plate and struck out 3 times. Top prospect Jurickson Profar went 1 for 4 with a triple, scored a run, and struck out twice. He also committed 2 errors in the field, one of which was a throwing error. Tomas Tellis went 2 for 4 with a double and a RBI in the game. He has 5 RBI in his last 4 games...

Station to Listen to the Game on: 1630 AM (KKGM)

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