Game 70: Midland Rockhounds (Polin Trinidad) @ Frisco RoughRiders (Richard Bleier

Time: 11:00 AM CT
Location: Dr. Pepper Ballpark (Frisco, TX)
Team Records: Frisco RoughRiders (40-29 8 games back in the Texas League South)... Midland Rockhounds (26-43 22 games back in the Texas League South)
Streak: Won 4 in a row
Last 10: 7-3
Homestand Record: 1-0
Series Record: 10-8-1
2011 Record against Midland: 11-2
All-Time Record against Midland: 114-99
Record on June 21 since 2004: 2-3
Starting Pitchers: Richard Bleier (1-3 5.56 ERA) is 0-3 with a 4.82 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 8 career starts against the Midland Rockhounds... Polin Trinidad (1-2 8.24 ERA) is 3-4 with a 2.88 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 9 career appearances, including 7 starts against the Frisco RoughRiders

What to Watch for on the Mound: Frisco sends Richard Bleier to the mound for the 10 time, including 7th start, while Midland sends Polin Trinidad to the mound for the 6th time this season in a battle of southpaws... Richard Bleier looks to get back on track after a couple rough outings recently. In his last start, Bleier gave up 10 hits and 5 runs over 6 innings with 4 strikeouts against the Corpus Christi Hooks on the road. It was the 4th time this season that Bleier had given up 9 or more hits in a start. In his last outing against the Midland Rockhounds, Bleier gave up 5 hits, 1 walk, and 2 runs over 5 innings with 5 strikeouts on May 9th at Midland. He received a no decision in the start for Frisco. On the season, Bleier has given up 60 hits and 4 walks over 45 1/3 innings with 25 strikeouts. He is 3-6 with a 5.74 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 19 career appearances and 16 starts at Dr. Pepper Ballpark... Polin Trinidad looks to build on his last start, when he gave up 3 hits, 1 walk, and 3 runs over 5 1/3 innings with 2 strikeouts. On the season, Trinidad has given up 24 hits and 7 walks with 10 strikeouts over 19 2/3 innings for Midland. Overall, between Midland and Iowa (AAA), Trinidad is 1-3 with a 6.81 ERA in 13 appearances (5 starts). He has given up 46 hits and 14 walks in 35 2/3 innings with 24 strikeouts. Opponents are batting .309 against him for the season. In his career in the Texas League, Polin Trinidad is 15-15 with a 3.81 ERA.

Frisco Cruises to Fourth Straight Win: Frisco scored 6 runs over the first 3 innings and took an 8-2 lead into the 5th inning. Two late runs gave Frisco a 10-5 victory over the Midland Rockhounds. The win was Frisco's 4th straight against Midland overall and 6th consecutive at home against the Rockhounds dating back to the postseason last year. It also marked Frisco's 4th straight game with at least 15 hits and at least 10 runs against Midland.


Darren O'Day Rehabs: Rangers reliever Darren O'Day began the game on Monday on rehab and pitched the first inning. He gave up a homerun to Grant Green, but got the other three hitters out, including Michael Spina on a strikeout looking. O'Day's final line was: 1 IP 1 H 1 R 0 BB 1 K 15 pitches-8 strikes. The Grant Green homerun was one of the longer homeruns hit at Dr. Pepper Ballpark this season, a no doubter.

Robbie Erlin Wins #4: Just 5 appearances, including 4 starts, into his stay in Frisco, and 20 year old southpaw Robbie Erlin is already tied with Martin Perez for the team lead in wins among starting pitchers. Erlin moved to 4-0 as he pitched in relief of O'Day. Erlin gave up 8 hits, 1 walk, and 4 runs over 4 2/3 innings with 3 strikeouts. He served up a homerun to Tyler Ladendorf in the 3rd inning. It bears mentioning that the strikezone seemed to be tight for most of the game. Erlin threw 75 pitches and 46 went for strikes. He was not quite as sharp as the last time he pitched in Dr. Pepper Ballpark, but he was also facing pretty heavy winds and he already isn't a groundball pitcher.

Burning up the Ballpark: Davis Stoneburner made hitting look easy on Monday night as he went 4 for 5 with 3 singles and a triple. He also drove in a run and scored 3 times. He was batting leadoff for the Riders and set the tone for the game early on. Stoneburner has had multi hit games in 4 of his last 5 starts and has reached base 4 times in all 4 of those games. He is 10 for 22 over the 5 games with 6 walks. On the season, Stoneburner is 9 for 20 (.450) when batting 1st. He is equally adept at batting when ahead in the count (.318 with a .917 OPS) and behind in the count (.328 with an .807 OPS). That was on display when he took a 4th inning 0-2 pitch to right field for a base hit.

Mendonca, Bianucci go deep: For the fourth game this season, Tommy Mendonca and Mike Bianucci homered in the same game. Frisco improved to 4-0 when both hit homeruns in the same game For the third time this season, they homered in the same game against Midland. Tommy Mendonca tied Mike Bianucci for the team lead with his 15th of the year in the 1st inning, which gave Frisco a 2-1 lead at the time. The homerun extended Mendonca's hitting streak to 12 games and RBI streak to 8 games. Mike Bianucci responded with his 16th homerun of the year in the 4th inning, also a 2-run shot. They now have 31 of Frisco's 68 homeruns this season (46% of the team's total). As said, Frisco now has 68 homeruns, which is the team total from the 2010. If they can hit a homerun on Tuesday morning they would have more homeruns in the first half of 2011 than they had all of last season.

Two is a Magic Number: The offense came to play on Monday and that's shown by the fact that they had 6 players with at least 2 hits in the game, including 5 with exactly 2 hits. Stoneburner had his 4 and Bianucci and Mendonca had 2 a piece. Jonathan Greene went 2 for 4 including a double. Engel Beltre added 2 hits in 4 at bats as well, and Guilder Rodriguez had another 2 for 4 day.

Beltre's Outburst: Don't look now, but Engel Beltre is starting to get more hits lately. Over the past three games, Engel Beltre is 7 for 15 with 1 double, 3 RBI, and 3 runs scored. He has 3 consecutive multi hit games for the first time since July 4th-July 6th of last season. His 3 RBI were his most in a game since he drove in 4 on July 4th of 2010.

The Triple Play: With an 8-5 lead in the bottom of the 6th inning, Frisco loaded the bases with 0 outs. Stoneburner singled, Osuna walked, and Mendonca singled to load the bases with 0 outs. They seemed prime for a big, big inning with homerun leader Mike Bianucci up and Jose Ruiz and Jonathan Greene to follow him. But Mike Bianucci lined to the second baseman, Adam Heether, who made a terrific catch and stepped on second and threw to first to turn what I believe is the first triple play turned at Frisco. It is certainly the first that I can remember seeing in person.

Miller Time: Justin Miller has become the go to reliever late in games and with each appearance he seems to be proving why. Flashing a low to mid 90s fastball, Justin Miller pitched 2 perfect innings of shutout relief. He struck out 2 batters in the appearance. Miller has gone 11 2/3 innings of relief without allowing a run and has struck out 14 batters to 2 walks over the 7 appearances. At home, Miller is 3-0 with a 0.96 ERA in 11 appearances with 20 strikeouts to 3 walks in 18 2/3 innings and 10 hits given up.

Day of Lasts: Tuesday marks the end of the first half and also marks the last morning game for Frisco this season. 

Tracking Texas League Homeruns: 514 homeruns in 546 games (0.941 HR/G)

Term of the Day: Dying Qual- A pop fly that drops suddenly and unexpectedly, like a bird that has been shot on the wing. It often falls between fielders for a base hit. A wind blowing in from the outfield may be an important factor.


Last Year on This Date: Frisco lost 11-7 on the road to the Midland Rockhounds. Ryan Tatusko started for Frisco and gave up 11 hits, 2 walks, and 8 runs over 3 1/3 innings with 1 strikeout. Ben Snyder gave up 3 hits, 2 walks, and 1 run over 3 2/3 innings with 4 strikeouts in relief. Andrew Laughter gave up 2 runs over 0+ innings, while Evan Reed pitched 1 shutout inning of relief. Marcus Lemon led Frisco with a 3 for 5 day including a RBI. Renny Osuna, Taylor Teagarden, Wes Bankston, James Tomlin, and Guilder Rodriguez all had 2 hits a piece in the game. Rodriguez led the Riders with 2 RBI in the game. Joey Butler and Mitch Hilligoss added a hit a piece.

Answer to Yesterday's Question of the Day: Randy Moore had 245 hits in 1929

Around the Ranger's System

Yesterday's Record: 3-0

Round Rock (AAA) scored 6 runs in the 5th inning and defeated the Omaha Storm Chasers 8-5 at home. Eric Hurley made his first start since his scary line drive incident and gave up 8 hits and 4 runs over 4 innings with 1 strikeout. Zach Jackson received the win after giving up 5 hits and 1 run over 4 innings with 3 strikeouts and 0 walks. Pedro Strop got his 2nd save with a scoreless 9th inning. Chris Davis went 2 for 3 with 2 homeruns, a walk, and 3 RBI for Round Rock. Robbie Diaz went 2 for 4 with a homerun and 4 RBI. Former Riders RBI and homerun leaders Joey Butler and Chad Tracy each went 1 for 4 for the Express. Julio Borbon, went 1 for 5 in the leadoff spot. Omar Quintanilla, Brad Nelson, and Esteban German each added a hit of their own for Round Rock.

Myrtle Beach (High-A) had the day off. Their next game is this Thursday at home vs. the Potomac Nationals

Hickory (Low-A) had the day off. Their next game is Thursday at home vs. the West Virginia Power.

Spokane (Short Season A-Ball) crushed the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 15-7 to move to 3-1 on the season. Richard Alvarez started for Spokane and gave up 8 hits, 1 walk, and 7 runs over 2 1/3 innings with 6 strikeouts. Jose Monegro earned the win after pitching 3 2/3 shutout innings of relief. Chance Sossamon and Christopher Hanna combined for 3 shutout innings of relief as well. Ruben Sierra Jr. finished the game 3 for 5 with a double and 5 RBI for Spokane. He doubled and scored 2 runs as well. Ryan Rua had Spokane's lone homerun as he went 1 for 4 with a homerun, 3 RBI, and a walk as well. Hirotoshi Onaka walked 5 times in the game and scored 4 runs hitting 2nd in the order. He also stole 2 bases. Hanser Alberto went 2 for 4 with a double at the plate for the Indians. Brett Nicholas, Guillermo Pimentel, Trever Adams, and Carson Vitale each had a hit as well for Spokane.

Minor League Performance of the Day

Julio Teheran has become a household name among avid (and even average) baseball fans over the last couple years. The 20 year old right hander is considered one of the best pitching prospects in the game and even made his major league debut for the Atlanta Braves against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 7th. On Monday, Teheran continued his dominance by giving up 5 hits and 2 runs over 8 innings with 8 strikeouts and 0 walks against the Syracuse Chiefs in Gwinnett's 8-2 win. On the season, the Columbia native is 7-1 with a 1.83 ERA in AAA. He has given up just 59 hits and 18 walks over 78 2/3 innings with 68 strikeouts. He has made 10 consecutive starts in AAA with at least 60 strikes thrown. Julio Teheran was signed by the Atlanta Braves as an international free agent in 2007. He was rated by Baseball America as the top prospect in the Atlanta Brave's organization entering 2011. He was also rated by Baseball America as the 5th best prospect in baseball entering 2011. 

As always...

Station to Listen to the Game on: 1630 AM (KKGM)
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- By Michael Damman