Notes on an Off Day: All-star Break

Next Game: Thursday against the Springfield Cardinals at 7:00 PM CT
Location: Dr. Pepper Ballpark (Frisco, TX)
Team Record: Frisco RoughRiders (2-4 2 games back in the Texas League South; 42-34 overall)
Streak: Won 1 in a row
Last 10: 5-5
Homestand Record: 0-0
Series Record: 10-9-2
Record on June 28th since 2004: 3-5

Frisco Ends Three Game Skid With Comeback Win: For the second night in a row a tremendous, record breaking starting pitching performance was for naught with a blown lead in the 9th inning. On Sunday it was Frisco who blew Robbie Erlin's 14 strikeout performance with a 4-3 loss on a walkoff 2-run homerun. On Monday it was Corpus Christi who blew Xavier Cedeno's performance with a 6-3 loss in the 9th inning to Frisco. The series loss to Corpus Christi was Frisco's first series loss to a team not named San Antonio since losing 3 out of 4 to Corpus on April 21-24.


Joe Wieland Effective in AA debut: His reputation as having great command around the plate preceeded him and in his AA debut, Joe Wieland lived up to it as he gave up 6 hits over 5 innings, allowed 1 run, struck out 5 batters, and did not issue a walk. He has now walked 1 batter in his last 305 faced and improved his strikeout to walk ratio to 101 to 4 for the season in 90 2/3 innings pitched. The 21 year old right hander also threw 72 pitches, 50 of which went for strikes and induced 4 groundouts to 2 flyouts.


Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better: Xavier Cedeno's performance on Monday reminded me of the old Michael Jordan commercials. The day after Robbie Erlin set a Frisco RoughRider's strikeout record with 14 strikeouts, Xavier Cedeno set the Corpus Christi Hook's strikeout record with 14 as well. Cedeno was on pace for 27 strikeouts after he struck out the side in the first three frames. Cedeno finished with 5 more over his next 3 2/3 innings to finish with 14 strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings pitched. He gave up just 1 hit, a single to Guilder Rodriguez, and did not issue a walk or allow a run. He threw 91 pitches, 68 of which went for strikes. The 14 strikeouts set a career high for the 24 year old southpaw and tied him with Erlin, Jeff Francis (2), and Clint Nageotte for the most by a Texas League pitcher since 2003. Overall, Frisco struck out 17 times in the game which was a season high.

Closing In On Career High: Guilder Rodriguez went 2 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI against Corpus Christi. His double drove in both runs, which tied the game in the top of the 8th at 2-2. The double was his 8th this season, which set a career high for doubles in a season and his 10 extra base hits ties a career high for extra base hits. He also now has 29 RBI this season, which is 2 shy of tying his career high at 31, which he got last season between Frisco and Oklahoma City (AAA).

Comeback Win: Frisco's comeback win in the 9th inning was also their 4th win this season when trailing after 8 innings. They are now tied with San Antonio for the 2nd most wins when trailing after 8 innings in the Texas League behind Tulsa's 6 wins.

Casey Kelly Named Starter: San Antonio Missions manager Doug Dascenzo announced yesterday that Missions starter Casey Kelly would be the starting pitcher for the Texas League South in the All-Star game, which takes place in San Antonio. Casey Kelly, 21 years old, is 6-3 with a 4.48 ERA this season in 16 starts. He has given up 99 hits and 27 walks with 65 strikeouts in 86 1/3 innings. At Nelson Wolff Stadium, the Mission's home ballpark, Kelly is 3-2 with a 3.89 ERA in 7 starts. Casey Kelly was rated by Baseball America as the #1 prospect in the San Diego Padre's system entering 2011 and was rated as the 31st best prospect in baseball. The Padres acquired Kelly as one of the prospects sent from Boston in exchange for all-star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who is a former Frisco RoughRider.


Personal Opinion: In light of the Texas League All-star game, it got me thinking about what my personal all-Texas League team is in the 7 seasons that I have worked for Frisco and seen Texas League play. My starting lineup would be:

C- Wilin Rosario (2010-present)
1B- Eric Hosmer (2010)
2B- Howie Kendrick (2005)
3B- Alex Gordon (2005)
SS- Troy Tulowitzki (2006)
OF- Mike Trout (2011)
OF- Colby Rasmus (2007)
OF- Billy Butler (2005-2006)
SP-  Mat Latos (2009)




What would your all Texas League team be?



Tracking Texas League Homeruns: 573 in 602 games (0.952 HR/G)

Term of the Day: Cunny thumb- 1. A pitcher who throws slow balls. 2. A curveball thrown by holding the thumb parallel to the first two fingers in contrast to placing the thumb on the opposite side of the ball; it is a sharp curve because the pitcher gets more spin on the ball when it has no resistance from the thumb. 3. An awkward player who is "all hands, in fielding ball".

Last Year on This Date: Frisco defeated the Corpus Christi Hooks 5-4 in 11 innings on the road before the all-star break. Martin Perez started for Frisco and gave up 4 hits and 2 walks over 5 shutout innings with 9 strikeouts. Adalberto Flores gave up 2 runs over 1 inning of relief. Ben Snyder pitched 2 shutout innings of relief. Josh Lueke blew the save after he gave up 2 runs in the 9th, but Brennan Garr picked up the win after pitching 2 scoreless innings of relief. Renny Osuna went 2 for 5 with a RBI at the plate. Guilder Rodriguez also added 2 hits in 5 at bats. Matt Lawson went 1 for 5 with a triple and a RBI for the Riders. Joey Butler added 1 hit and a RBI in 5 at bats, while Marcus Lemon added a double in 5 at bats as well. Andy Jenkins added a hit and 2 walks, while James Tomlin added a double and Mitch Hilligoss went 0 for 2 with 3 walks.


Around the Ranger's System

Yesterday's Record: 3-2

Round Rock (AAA) lost 4-1 to the Oklahoma City Redhawks at home. Seth McClung started for Round Rock and gave up 1 hit, 5 walks, and 2 runs over 4 innings without a strikeout. Beau Jones gave up 2 runs in 1 inning of relief. Mark Hamburger pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief, while Tommy Hunter and Zach Phillips each pitched a scoreless inning as well. Robinson Diaz led Round Rock with a 2 for 3 day. Joey Butler went 1 for 4 with a stolen base for the Express. Julio Borbon went 0 for 3 with a walk and was picked off-caught stealing. Omar Quintanilla, Brian Barden, and Matt Kata each added a hit at the plate as well.

Myrtle Beach (High-A) scored 4 runs in the 8th inning to defeat the Salem Red Sox 10-8 on the road. Kennil Gomez gave up 4 hits, 2 walks, and 2 runs (1 earned) over 5 innings with 3 strikeouts. Zach Osborne gave up 4 runs (2 earned) over 1 1/3 innings of relief. Joe Ortiz gave up 2 runs (1 earned) over 1 inning of relief. Johan Yan pitched a scoreless 9th for his 8th save. Leury Garcia went 3 for 4 with a walk, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored out of the leadoff spot. He also stole his 20th base for Myrtle Beach. Chris McGuiness went 2 for 4 with 4 RBI and a walk at the plate. Ryan Strausborger went 1 for 4 with a double, walk, and 2 steals to give him 23 on the season for the Pelicans. Mitch Hilligoss went 2 for 5 with a double and a RBI, while David Paisano went 2 for 4 with a triple and a RBI. Jared Prince, Jared Hoying, and Santiago Chirino each added a hit.

Hickory (Low-A) scored a run in the 9th and defeated the Kannapolis Intimidators 10-8 in 13 innings. Roman Mendez had his worst start of the season as he gave up 10 hits, 2 walks, and 8 runs over 2 1/3 innings with 2 strikeouts. Colby Killian, Jimmy Reyes, Joseph Van Meter, Ben Henry, and Ryan Rodebaugh combined for 10 2/3 innings of shutout relief. Ben Henry picked up his 2nd win, while Rodebaugh got his 12th save. Odubel Herrera led Hickroy in the game with 4 hits in 7 at bats. Jurickson Profar went 3 for 5 with a homerun, 4 RBI, walk, and 2 runs scored out of the leadoff spot. He also had a sac fly. Tomas Telis went 2 for 6 with a RBI and a walk for the Crawdads. Josh Richmond went 2 for 7 with a double. Alejandro Selen reached base 4 times with a 2 for 4 day including a double, homerun, RBI, 2 walks, and 3 runs scored. Andrew Clark and Yefry Castillo each added 2 hits, while Christian Villanueva had a hit as well.

Spokane (Short Season A-Ball) gave up 7 runs in the first 3 innings and lost 11-7 to the Boise Hawks on the road. David Perez made the start for Spokane and gave up 4 hits, 1 walk, and 4 runs over 2 innings with 2 strikeouts. Chris Hanna gave up 4 runs (3 earned) over 3 innings of relief. Will Lamb gave up 2 runs (1 earned) over 1 inning of relief, while Leonel De Los Santos gave up 1 run in 2 innings. Brett Nicholas went 2 for 5 with a double, homerun, and 3 RBI at the plate. Zach Cone went 2 for 5 with a double, 2 RBI, and run scored for Spokane. 17 year old Rougned Odor went 2 for 5 with a double for the Indians. Jorge Alfaro also added 2 hits in 4 at bats. Nick Vickerson reached base a team high 4 times with a 1 for 2 day including a double, 3 walks, RBI, and 2 runs scored. Guillermo Pimentel, Ruben Sierra Jr., Ryan Rua, and Braxton Lane each had a hit as well.

Minor League Performance of the Day

For the second day in a row the minor league performance of the day comes from Frisco's game. Southpaw Xavier Cedeno had a career day when he began by striking the first nine men that came to the plate. He took a perfect game into the 6th before giving up a 1 out single to Guilder Rodriguez, the only baserunner that reached on Cedeno. In total, Cedeno finished with a line of: 6 2/3 IP 1 H 0 R 0 BB 14 K 2 WP 91 P-68 S. The 14 strikeouts were a career best and set a new Corpus Christi Hooks record.  On the season, Xavier Cedeno is now 4-5 with a 3.54 ERA in 16 starts. He has given up 81 hits and 36 walks in 94 innings pitched with 93 strikeouts.

As always...

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- By Michael Damman