Game 76: Frisco RoughRiders (Joe Wieland) @ Corpus Christi Hooks (Xavier Cedeno)

Time: 7:05 PM CT
Location: Whataburger Field (Corpus Christi,TX)
Team Records: Frisco RoughRiders (1-4 3 games back in the Texas League South; 41-34 overall)... Corpus Christi Hooks (3-2 1 game back in the Texas League South; 25-45 overall)
Streak: Lost 3 in a row
Last 10: 5-5
Road Trip: 0-3
Series Record: 10-8-2
2011 Record against Corpus Christi: 9-10
All-Time Record against Corpus Christi: 104-99
Record on June 27th since 2004: 4-1
Starting Pitchers: Joe Wieland (0-0 0.00 ERA) is making his first career start against the Corpus Christi Hooks... Xavier Cedeno (4-5 3.81 ERA) is 2-0 with a 2.33 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 6 appearances, including 4 starts against the Frisco RoughRiders.

What to Watch for on the Mound: Frisco sends Joe Wieland to the mound for the first time this season, while Corpus Christi sends Xavier Cedeno to the mound for the 16th time this season as Frisco tries to avoid a sweep... Joe Wieland is making his AA debut on Monday as the rising prospect had a spectacular first half of the season for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. The Carolina League all-star went 6-3 with a 2.10 ERA over 14 appearances (13 starts), while posting a mind boggling 96 strikeout to 4 walk ratio in 85 2/3 innings. At one point, Wieland had faced 227 batters in a row without issuing a walk. The streak lasted from the end of his April 18th start to the 7th inning of his June 7th start. In his two starts since then he's struck out 15 batters to 0 walks in 13 2/3 innings pitched. Wieland's shining moment came on May 4th when he gave up just 2 hits over 6 shutout innings and struck out 13 batters. The strikeout total was the most by a Texas Ranger's minor league pitcher this season until Sunday night. Over four minor league seasons, the 21 year old right hander is 26-17 with a 3.57 ERA. He carries a career 343 K-61 BB (5.62 K/BB) ratio into AA action. Joe Wieland was drafted by Texas in the 4th round of the 2008 draft. He was rated by Baseball America as the Ranger's 22nd best prospect entering the 2011 season... Xavier Cedeno makes his 5th start this season against the Frisco RoughRiders as the Corpus Christi Hooks try to sweep the RoughRiders at home. In his last start, Cedeno gave up 4 hits, 5 walks, and 5 runs (all earned) over 5 innings with 6 strikeouts against the San Antonio Missions last Wednesday. In his last start against Frisco, Cedeno gave up 5 hits, 1 walk, and 4 unearned runs over 6 innings with 7 strikeouts in Frisco's 5-4 win over Corpus Christi. On the season, the southpaw has given up 80 hits and 36 walks over 87 1/3 innings with 79 strikeouts. In Texas League play over parts of three seasons, Xavier Cedeno is 14-14 with a 4.14 ERA. The 24 year old from Puerto Rico missed all of the 2010 season.

Robbie Erlin Dominant, Frisco Blows Lead in Ninth: Despite a dominating performance from 20 year old starter Robbie Erlin, Frisco lost their third straight to the Corpus Christi Hooks as they blew a 3-0 lead after 6 innings and a 3-2 lead going into the 9th inning. Corpus Christi got a walkoff 2-run homerun from T.J. Steele off of Fabio Castillo to end the hopes of a 5th win for Erlin.


A Strikeout Machine: In case anyone missed it, Robbie Erlin had a pretty good night on Sunday. The southpaw, who was making his 6th AA start, went 6 2/3 innings, gave up 5 hits, 2 runs (both on solo homeruns), walked 1 batter, and struck out a career high 14 batters. He made 105 pitches, 77 of which went for strikes. His 77 strikes were the most by a Frisco RoughRider pitcher this season and most at either of the upper levels of the Texas Ranger's minor league system, which are the only two that show pitch counts on the box scores. In six starts for Frisco, Erlin is now 4-0 with a 4.79 ERA and has struck out 38 batters to 6 walks in 35 2/3 innings.

Where Does the Performance Rank?: With the 14 strikeouts being such a great number, it got the Statistical Research department of Frisco to go research where his performance ranks. The 14 strikeouts was the most by a Frisco RoughRider in their 9 year history. The previous high was 12, which was done by John Danks (5/15/06) and Thomas Diamond (6/28/2006). It also is tied for the most strikeouts by a Texas League pitcher since Frisco entered the Texas League. Robbie Erlin became the 18th Texas League pitcher to have 12 or more strikeouts since 2003.

Frisco RoughRiders Pitchers with 11 or more strikeouts
Robbie Erlin on 6/26/2011- 14
Thomas Diamond on 6/28/2006- 12
John Danks on 5/15/2006- 12
Guillermo Moscoso on 5/25/2006- 11
Ken Chenard on 8/29/2006- 11
Thomas Diamond on 5/12/2006- 11
John Hudgins on 7/1/2004- 11
Kameron Loe on 5/2/2004- 11

Top Five Strikeout Totals in Texas League Since 2003
1. Robbie Erlin 14 (6/26/2011)
1. Jeff Francis 14 (7/7/2004)
1. Jeff Francis 14 (6/1/2004)
1. Clint Nageotte 14 (7/5/2003)
5. Tim Kiely 13 (6/15/2009)
5. Trey Hearne 13 (5/8/2009)
5. Ezequiel Astacio 13 (7/22/2004)


Top of the Order: Frisco took an early 2-0 lead in the 1st inning after Stoneburner and Mendonca both doubled in the inning and then Ruiz doubled a batter after Mendonca. Overall, the top 3 hitters in the lineup each contributed an extra base hit in the game as Renny Osuna, who hit 2nd, also homered for the 7th time this season.

Osuna's Tear: As mentioned, Renny Osuna hit a homerun on Sunday, which marked his 5th of the month of June. He has never had more than 4 in one season before this year, let alone 5 in one month. Ironically, though, his batting average for the month of June (.250) is also the worst of the season for a month. Still, the power that Osuna has displayed for the month has been incredible.

Stoneburner Continues Streak: Davis Stoneburner only went 1 for 5 in Frisco's loss, but the hit was again an extra base hit. Stoneburner led off with a double and scored on Mendonca's RBI double. Stoneburner's last 9 hits have been for extra base hits.

Justin Miller Extends Scoreless Outing Streak: For the 9th consecutive appearance, Frisco reliever Justin Miller did not allow a run. His innings streak spans 15 1/3 innings as the recently turned 24 year old right hander has given Frisco stability in the setup role as of late.

Tracking Texas League Homeruns: 570 in 594 games (0.960 HR/G)

Term of the Day: Designated for Assignment- Said of a player whose team opens a roster spot while waiting for the player to clear waivers. The team must trade or release him within ten days or reassign him (if he accepts) to a minor-league team within seven days. Since there are certain situations in which a team needs a player's permission either to trade him or send him to the minors, the designation allows the player some time to make a decision. Occasionally, a club will designate a player for assignment while it is trying to trade him.

Last Year on This Date: Frisco scored 5 runs in the top of the 8th inning to defeat the Corpus Christi Hooks 6-3 on the road. Blake Beavan started for Frisco and picked up his 10th victory after giving up 7 hits and 2 runs over 7 inning swith 3 strikeouts and 0 walks. Beau Jones gave up 1 run in 1 inning of relief and Cody Eppley picked up his 6th save with a scoreless 9th inning. Elio Sarmiento went 2 for 3 with a double, triple, and 3 RBI in the game. Marcus Lemon went 2 for 4 with a walk, while Andy Jenkins had a 2 for 4 day with a double. Mitch Hilligoss doubled for his lone hit in 4 at bats and drove in 2 runs. Jacob Kaase, Joey Butler, and Guilder Rodriguez each singled as well.

Around the Ranger's System

Yesterday's Record: 2-3

Round Rock (AAA) crushed the Oklahoma City Redhawks by a score of 14-2 at home. Eric Hurley made the start for Round Rock and gave up 3 hits, 2 walks, and 1 unearned run over 5 innings with 3 strikeouts. Ryan Tucker gave up 1 run over 1 inning of work while Manny Delcarmen threw 2 scoreless innings of relief. Pedro Strop pitched a scoreless 9th inning. Julio Borbon went 3 for 4 with 2 doubles, 3 RBI, scored 3 runs, and stole a base for Round Rock. Chris Davis went 2 for 5 with 2 homeruns, 4 RBI, and scored 2 runs. He now has 17 homeruns in 31 games for the Express. Joey Butler went 2 for 5 at the plate. Omar Quintanilla added 3 hits in 5 at bats, including a double, triple, 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored. Esteban German and Brian Barden added 2 hits, while Kevin Cash added a hit as well.

Myrtle Beach (High-A) scored 3 runs in the first 4 innings and beat the Salem Red Sox 4-1 on the road. Robbie Ross started for Myrtle Beach and gave up 2 hits and 0 walks over 6 shutout innings with 4 strikeouts. Chad Bell picked up his first save after giving up 1 run over 3 innings with 3 strikeouts. Mitch Hilligoss went 2 for 4 with 2 doubles and 1 RBI at the plate. Jared Hoying added a 2 for 4 day as well for the Pelicans. Andres James was 2 for 4 with a double and a RBI out of the leadoff spot, while Jared Bolden went 1 for 4 with a double out of the 9 hole. Chris McGuiness, Zach Zaneski, David Paisano, and Santiago Chirino each had a hit as well.

Hickory (Low-A) lost to the West Virginia Power 3-1 at home. Cody Buckel started for Hickory and gave up 4 hits, 3 walks, and 3 runs over 5 innings with 6 strikeouts and 1 homerun allowed. Ben Rowen, Nicholas McBride, and Ryan Rodebaugh combined for 4 scoreless innings of relief. Christian Villanueva went 1 for 3 with a double at the plate. Tomas Telis added a 2 for 4 day including a double for the Crawdads. Josh Richmond and Alejandro Selen added a hit a piece as well.

Spokane (Short Season A-Ball) lost for the third time in four games as they fell 3-2 to the Boise Hawks on the road. John Kukuruda started for Spokane and gave up 4 hits, 3 walks, and 3 runs (2 earned) over 5 innings with 2 strikeouts. He induced 11 groundouts to 2 flyouts in the game. Juan Grullon and Matt West combined for 3 shutout innings of relief. Trever Adams led Spokane with a 2 for 4 day including a triple. Guillermo Pimentel added 2 hits in 3 at bats with a RBI and a walk. Rougned Odor went 1 for 4 at the plate with a walk. Brett Nicholas and Carson Vitale each added a hit of their own as well. Vitale's was a double as he also drove in a run. Zach Cone went 0 for 2 with a walk and a stolen base.

Minor League Performance of the Day

Robbie Erlin's performance on Sunday could only be described as dominant. To strikeout 14 batters in 6 2/3 innings means you have gotten 67% of your outs via a strikeout. In Frisco's 4-3 loss, Erlin's line was again: 6 IP 5 H 2 R 1 BB 14 K. In 90 1/3 innings on the year now, the 20 year old southpaw has given up just 11 walks and has struck out 100 batters. That's nearly a 10-1 K/BB ratio, which can only be rivaled by his former and present teammate Joe Wieland, who goes for Frisco tonight. His struggles with the longball have continued, as Erlin has now given up 15 homeruns in 15 appearances/14 starts this season. But Robbie Erlin has been dominant in three starts for Frisco this year, good in one (his debut), and struggled in two. I would say overall, his time in Frisco has been good, if not great, given he's still so young and facing a league that is playing as more of a hitters league than even in past years. A flyball pitcher, who can get in trouble when he's up in the zone in a league that is averaging the most homeruns per game in the history of the league is not exactly a great scenario, but Erlin is holding his own so far.

As always...

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