Chatter from the Press Box: Game 102: Midland Rockhounds (Jason Bergmann) @ Frisco RoughRiders (Ben Snyder)

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Game 102: Midland Rockhounds (Jason Bergmann) @ Frisco RoughRiders (Ben Snyder)

Time: 7:05 PM CT
Location: Dr. Pepper Ballpark (Frisco, TX)
Team Records: Frisco RoughRiders (18-13 1 game back in the Texas League South; 58-43 overall)... Midland Rockhounds (13-18 6 games back in the Texas League South; 40-61 overall)
Streak: Won 1 in a row
Last 10: 6-4
Homestand: 4-1
Series Record: 15-10-3
2011 Record against Midland: 13-4
All-Time Record against Midland: 116-101
Record on July 27th since 2004: 3-4
Starting Pitchers: Ben Snyder (8-2 4.06 ERA) vs. Jason Bergmann (0-6 7.01 ERA)

Frisco Gives Up Lead, Wins 7-3: Frisco took a 3-2 lead into the 7th inning on Tuesday night, but gave up a homerun to Wes Timmons in the 7th inning. Frisco answered with 4 runs in the 8th inning to win the first game of a three game set with the Midland Rockhounds. The homerun, given up by Erlin, cost him his 6th win and first since July 4th, but the team got the win in the end.

Erlin Solid In Start: Robbie Erlin struggled early as he faced 7 batters in a 2 run Midland 1st inning. However, the 20 year old southpaw settled down to finish with a very good line. Erlin gave up 7 hits, 1 walk (his first since a June 26th start), and 3 runs over 7 innings with 4 strikeouts. He threw only 87 (59 strikes) pitches over the 7 innings despite throwing 19 pitches in the 1st inning alone. Of the 29 batters he faced, Erlin got ahead with a strike to 17 of them (59%). On the season he is at 65.1% for the season for first pitch strikes.

Mendonca Goes Deep: Tommy Mendonca had one of three Frisco homeruns on Tuesday and went 2 for 4 in the win over Midland. His homerun came in the 4th inning and gave Frisco a 3-2 lead at the time. On the season, Mendonca is now batting .456 with 12 extra base hits in 17 games against the Midland Rockhounds. His OPS during that time is 1.319 against Midland.

Greene Hits a Moon Shot: Perhaps no homerun was as impressive as Jonathan Greene's 2nd inning game tying 2-run shot off of A.J. Griffin. Greene pulled a pitch that may have actually gone out of the ballpark and into the street in left field. For Greene, the no doubter was his 14th of the season and 2nd in as many games. The blast was Greene's only hit of the game, but it was definitely a big hit.

The Other Big Homerun: Davis Stoneburner also went 1 for 4 in the game, but his homerun to leadoff the 8th inning was the start of a 4 run inning and the difference in the game. It was Stoneburner's 7th homerun of the season and gave him 32 extra base hits in 295 at bats this season.

Robbie Diaz's Game: Robbie Diaz batted 4th for Frisco as Mike Bianucci got a rare day off, and the RoughRiders didn't miss a beat in the 4 hole. Robbie Diaz went 3 for 3 with a walk in the game and scored 2 runs as well. The former major league catcher is 9 for 15 (.600 AVG) since being sent down from Round Rock in the absence of Elio Sarmiento, who's wife recently gave birth to their newest child. In 17 games for Frisco this season, Diaz is batting .357 (20 for 56) with a double and 3 homeruns.

Speaking of Sarmiento: Elio Sarmiento was back in the lineup on Tuesday and went 2 for 4 with a double and a RBI in his return. On the season for Frisco he is now batting .276 with an .816 OPS in split time at the catchers spot.

Brigham Racking Up Strikeouts: Jake Brigham extended his team lead in strikeouts on Tuesday as he struck out the side in the top of the 8th inning to give him 88 strikeouts on the season. Brigham now has 17 strikeouts over his last 5 relief appearances, which spans 9 1/3 innings pitched. Brigham has gone 6 consecutive relief outings without giving up a run as well. Right handed batters are hitting just .228 (49 for 215) against him this season with a .661 OPS against him.

Tracking Texas League Homeruns: 784 in 802 games (0.978 HR/G)

Term of the Day: Irrevocable Waivers- A form of waivers in which the club placing the player on waivers cannot withdraw the waiver request if another team claims the player. If the player is claimed by another club, the player's former team receives no compensation.

Last Year on This Date: Frisco lost 14-9 on the road to the Midland Rockhounds. Martin Perez started for Frisco and gave up 6 hits, 1 walk, and 7 runs (6 earned) over 1/3 of an inning without a strikeout. Ben Snyder pitched 3 2/3 innings of shutout relief. Brennan Garr gave up 4 runs over 1 1/3 innings of relief, while Beau Jones gave up 2 runs over 1 2/3 innings. Evan Reed gave up a run over 1 inning of relief as well. Marcus Lemon led Frisco's offense with a 4 for 6 game including a double, RBI, and run scored. Emerson Frostad went 3 for 6 with a double, triples, 2 RBI, and a run scored. Renny Osuna added a 2 for 5 day with a double, RBI, and a run for the Riders, while James Tomlin also went 2 for 6. Andy Jenkins and Joey Butler each went 1 for 3 with a double, and a RBI. Butler added 2 walks and Jenkins added a walk and a sac fly. Johnny Whittleman and Engel Beltre each added a hit as well in 4 at bats.

As always...

A special thanks to any blog followers from Turlock, CA!