Chatter from the Press Box: Game 87: Frisco RoughRiders (Ben Snyder) @ Arkansas Travelers (Trevor Reckling)

Time: 7:10 PM CT
Location: Dickey-Stephens Park (Little Rock, AR)
Team Records: Frisco RoughRiders (9-7 2 games back in the Texas League South; 49-37 overall)... Arkansas Travelers (11-5 1st place in the Texas League North: 47-36 overall)
Streak: Won 3 in a row
Last 10: 7-3
Roadtrip: 3-1
Series Record: 13-9-2
2011 Record against Arkansas: 5-5
All-Time Record against Arkansas: 86-45
Record on July 11th since 2004: 3-4
Starting Pitchers: Ben Snyder (6-2 4.08 ERA) is 1-1 with a 3.74 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 7 career appearances, including 2 starts against the Arkansas Travelers ... Trevor Reckling (4-6 3.65 ERA) is 2-1 with a 1.88 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in 4 career starts against the Frisco RoughRiders

What to Watch for on the Mound: Frisco sends Ben Snyder to the mound for the 30th time, including his 4th start this season, while Arkansas sends Trevor Reckling to the mound for the 17th time this season in a rematch of the July 5th matchup between Frisco and Arkansas in Frisco... Ben Snyder looks to rebound from his worst outing of the season as he looks to keep Frisco's winning streak going. Last Tuesday against the Travelers, Snyder gave up 9 hits, 2 walks, and 6 runs over 4 2/3 innings with 5 strikeouts as Frisco couldn't pull off the sweep against the Travelers. Since moving into a starting role full time, Snyder is 1-1 with a 6.14 ERA over 3 starts. Over his last 10 appearances, however, Ben is 2-2 with a 3.67 ERA over 27 innings pitched. On the season, the 25 year old southpaw has given up 54 hits and 16 walks with 37 strikeouts over 53 innings pitched. Left handed batters are hitting just .194 against Snyder for the season. He is also 4-0 with a 2.05 ERA on the road in 14 appearances... Trevor Reckling hopes to continue his solid pitching as he looks to repeat last Tuesday's effort against Frisco. Reckling gave up 5 hits and 3 runs (2 earned) over 5 innings with 3 strikeouts and 0 walks. Over his last 5 starts, Reckling is 3-0 with a 3.10 ERA. On the season, Reckling has given up 96 hits and 34 walks over 91 1/3 innings with 62 strikeouts. He is 1-3 with a 3.68 ERA over 8 home starts this season.

Frisco Wins Third In a Row: In case you hadn't noticed, and judging by my blogs you may have not, the Frisco RoughRiders have won 3 in a row now as they defeated the Arkansas Travelers 3-2 in 13 innings on Sunday. The game finished with the 3rd most scoreless innings between Frisco and their opponent this season as they combined for 21 on Sunday. The other two most were June 9th against San Antonio (25) and April 18th against Arkansas (24). All three games went at least 13 innings. Frisco still stands 2 games back of the first place San Antonio Missions, but hold a 15 game lead on the Midland Rockhounds for 2nd place in the Texas League South overall, which would be a factor if things stayed the way they are.

Erlin Dominant Again: Things really aren't supposed to be as easy as Robbie Erlin seems to be making them be. This is AA baseball in a year when homeruns are flying out of the ballpark at a record pace, and Robbie Erlin is only 20 years old and a flyball pitcher prone to homeruns. The setup was supposed to smell of disaster and instead is smelling of success. The southpaw put together 7 innings of work against a now Mike Trout-less Arkansas Travelers lineup where Erlin allowed 4 hits, 1 run, struck out 4, and did not issue a walk. Usually considered the toughest jump in minor league baseball, Robbie has made the jump with ease. He has made a "quality" start in 5 of his 8 starts and one of the non-"quality starts" he took a no-hitter into the 7th inning. Outside of a couple rough outings against Midland, one of which was a relief outing, Erlin has been terrific. As a starting pitcher, he is 4-0 with a 3.27 ERA and has given up 39 hits and 5 walks in 44 innings pitched with 45 strikeouts.

Osuna Strokes 4 Hits: Sometimes the first inning can be an omen for the rest of the game and other times it isn't. On Sunday, the latter took place as Renny Osuna grounded out to the pitcher in the first and proceeded to get 4 hits over his next 5 at bats. The AA veteran, who is now in sole possession of second place on the Frisco RoughRider's All-Time hits list with 283 career hits, hit the ball all over the field. He doubled in the 3rd to left field to score Davis Stoneburner, he doubled to left field again to leadoff the 8th inning. He had an infield single to second base in the 9th inning, and Osuna finished his game with a single centerfield in the 12th inning.

Bianucci's 19th Is Difference: Mike Bianucci increased his team lead in homeruns with his 19th homerun of the season in the 13th inning. It was his only hit of the game, but the hit was a decisive one. He is now 2 away from having the 5th most homeruns in a single season by a Frisco RoughRider. Jason Hart's 21 homeruns in 2005 is currently the 5th most in a single season by a Frisco RoughRider. Nate Gold's 34 homeruns in 2006 is still the most by a Frisco RoughRider in a single season. It remains to be seen if Mike Bianucci can get to that level.

Engel Beltre Heating Up: Beltre only had one hit, but the one hit extended his hitting streak to 12 games. In the month of July, Beltre is batting .333 with a .692 OPS and since the All-Star game he is batting .341 with a .707 OPS. His 12 game hitting streak is

Engel Beltre's Longest Hitting Streaks:
1. 18 games for Bakersfield Blaze (High-A) from April 30th-May 22nd (2009)
2. 15 games for Bakersfield Blaze (High-A) from May 29th-June 24th (2010)
3. 13 games for Bakersfield Blaze (High-A) and Frisco RoughRiders (AA) from June 26th-July 10th (2010)
4. 12 games for Frisco RoughRiders (AA) from June 26th-present (2011)

Greene Gets #12: For the third time this season, Jonathan Greene was hit by a pitch thrown by an Arkansas Traveler's pitcher. It also marked the 12th hit by pitch this season for Jonathan Greene, who is closing in on Craig Gentry's Frisco RoughRider's season record of 16. It was also the second time this season that Jonathan Greene and Davis Stoneburner were hit by a pitch in the same game against the Arkansas Travelers. Stoneburner has now been hit by 5 pitches this season. Frisco as a team is at 48 for the season, which means they have almost as many hit by pitches as grounded into double plays (57).

Texas League Hitting More Bombs, Striking Out More:

Top 5 Homerun Jumps/Declines:

1. 1952 (0.44 HR/G) to 1953 (0.69 HR/G)- difference of + 0.25 HR/G
2. 2010 (0.71 HR/G) to 2011 (0.95 HR/G)- difference of + 0.24 HR/G
3. 1956 (0.83 HR/G) to 1957 (0.60 HR/G)- difference of - 0.23 HR/G
4. 1967 (0.75 HR/G) to 1968 (0.56 HR/G)- difference of - 0.19 HR/G
5. 1987 (0.84 HR/G) to 1988 (0.65 HR/G)- difference of -0.19 HR/G

Top 5 League On Base Plus Slugging (OPS)

1. .785 (1998)
2. .774 (1997)
3. .763 (1999)
4. .762 (2011)
5. .762 (2000)

Top 5 Pitcher Strikeout Per 9 Totals Since 1992:

1. 7.4 K/9 (2011)
2. 7.2 K/9 (2010)
3. 7.2 K/9 (2004)
4. 7.1 K/9 (2001)
5. Five Tied at 7 (2008, 2006, 2000, 1994, and 1992)

Top 5 Pitcher K/BB Ratios Since 1992:

1. 2.25 (1992)
2. 2.15 (2005)
3. 2.15 (2001)
4. 2.14 (1993)
5. 2.13 (2011)

Texas League Shines in Futures Game: Major League Baseball held their annual Futures Game on Sunday which displays the top talent in minor league baseball for one game before the MLB All-star break begins. The Texas League had seven players participate in the actual game, including three position players which started. The US defeated the World 6-4 thanks in part to a Texas League player.

US
Starting 3B James Darnell, San Antonio: 0 for 3 with a walk and a strikeout
Starting RF Wil Myers, Northwest Arkansas: 0 for 3 with a RBI
Backup SS Grant Green, Midland: 2 for 2 with 2 doubles, RBI, and a run scored. Named Futures Game MVP
Pitcher Shelby Miller, Springfield: 1 IP 1 H 0 R 1 BB 1 K

World
Starting 2B Jose Altuve, Corpus Christi: 2 for 3 with a double
Starting C Wilin Rosario, Tulsa: 0 for 2
Pitcher Martin Perez: 1 IP 2 H 1 R 1 BB 1 K

Also of Note: Texas Ranger's shortstop prospect Jurickson Profar (Low-A Hickory) went 1 for 2 with a RBI and a triple in the game for the World team.

Tracking Texas League Homeruns: 650 in 682 games (0.953 HR/G)

Term of the Day: Kangaroo Court- A clubhouse session during which a senior player assesses guilt and small fines for errors and omissions on the field or other minor infractions, such as missing a sign, a bunt, or the cutoff man, failing to run out a pop-up or to move a runner up, commenting to the press while the game was in progress, or wearing an ugly suit. Brian McCann and Jeff Francoeur each ran afoul of the Atlanta Braves kangaroo court for living at his parents' home while playing in the majors (they were fined $20 each). Broadcasters have been assessed fines for announcing players' birthdays. Frank Robinson was the first great clubhouse jurist when he appointed himself judge of the Baltimore Orioles kangaroo court of the late 1960s.

Around the Ranger's System

Yesterday's Record: 2-3

Round Rock (AAA) gave up 4 runs in the top of the 8th inning and fell 10-9 to the Memphis Redbirds at home on the last game before the All-Star break. Scott Feldman started for Round Rock and gave up 10 hits, 1 walk, and 6 runs (3 earned) over 5 innings with 3 strikeouts. Beau Jones pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief with 4 strikeouts. Mark Hamburger took the loss after giving up 4 runs over 1 inning of relief. Cody Eppley pitched a scoreless 9th inning. Leonys Martin went 2 for 4 in his AAA debut at the top of the order for Round Rock. Joey Butler went 1 for 3 with 1 RBI and 2 walks for the express. Chad Tracy also went 1 for 3 with a RBI and 2 walks for Round Rock. Matt Kata added a double and triple as part of a 2 for 4 day with 2 RBI. Esteban German and Brad Nelson each homered in the game, while Guilder Rodriguez added a hit in four at bats.

Myrtle Beach (High-A) gave up 3 runs in the first 3 innings and was shutout 3-0 by the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Barret Loux started for Myrtle Beach and gave up 4 hits, 2 walks, and 3 runs over 6 innings with 11 strikeouts. It was Loux's second double digit strikeout performance in his last three starts. Zach Osborne pitched 2 perfect innings of relief. Andres James led Myrtle Beach with a 2 for 4 game. Ryan Strausborger went 1 for 3 with a double and a walk for the Pelicans. Jared Bolden went 0 for 2 with a walk and a stolen base. Zach Zaneski and Jared Hoying each added a hit, while former Rider Travis Adair also added a hit.

Hickory (Low-A) gave up 2 runs in the top of the 9th and lost 8-7 to the Lexington Legends at home. Luke Jackson started for Hickory and gave up 7 hits, 3 walks, and 5 runs over 4 innings with 5 strikeouts. Ben Rowen gave up 1 run in 2 innings of relief, while Jorge Marban pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief. Colby Killian took the loss after giving up 2 runs in one inning of relief. Teodoro Martinez led off for Hickory and went 2 for 5 with a homerun and a RBI. Tomas Telis went 2 for 5, while Odubel Herrera went 1 for 4 with a walk. Andrew Clark led the Crawdads with a 3 for 4 game including a walk and 2 runs scored. Jake Skole also added 2 hits in 4 at bats with his 3rd homerun of the season, a walk, 3 RBI, and a run scored. Alejandro Selen also homered for his lone hit in 5 at bats. Christian Villanueva added a hit as well for Hickory.

Spokane (Short Season A-Ball) scored a monster 11 runs in the 1st inning and defeated the Vancouver Canadians 12-8 at home. Will Lamb started for Spokane and gave up 1 hit and 1 run over 3 innings with 4 strikeouts and 0 walks. Richard Alvarez gave up 6 hits, 2 walks, and 6 runs (5 earned) over 2 2/3 innings with 3 strikeouts. Andres Perez-Lobo pitched a scoreless 1 1/3 innings of relief, while Kyle Hendricks gave up 1 run over 2 innings of relief. Spokane's offense did not record their first out until 6 batters in the game, and did not record their 2nd out until 14 batters in the game. Rougned Odor went 2 for 5 with a double, 2 RBI, and a walk at the plate. The 17 year old is batting .304 this season for Spokane. Zach Cone went 2 for 4 with a double, 2 RBI, and a walk as well. Trever Adams added a 2 for 5 day with 2 doubles and 3 RBI for the Indians. Edwin Garcia went 2 for 4 with a double, 2 RBI, and a walk, while Drew Robinson went 2 for 4 with a walk, stolen base, and 2 runs scored. Ruben Sierra Jr. and Jorge Alfaro each added a hit as well at the plate.

Minor League Performance of the Day

Caleb Gindl continued his assault on AAA pitching on the road this season as the Nashville Sound's batter hit for the cycle in Nashville's 9-5 win over the Albuquerque Isotopes on Sunday. Gindl is now batting .326 with a .982 OPS on the road this season for Nashville. He tripled to centerfield in his first at bat in the 2nd inning, then homered to left field in the 3rd inning. Gindl added a double to left field in the 8th inning and singled to centerfield in the 9th inning. On the season, he is batting .281 with 10 doubles, 3 triples, 12 homeruns, and an .827 OPS in 270 at bats this season in AAA. The 22 year old outfielder batted .272 with 33 doubles and 9 homeruns last season in AA, including a .758 OPS. Gindl is a 3 time post-season All-Star (Florida State League in 2009, South Atlantic League in 2008, and Pioneer League in 2007). Gindl, a Pensacola, Florida native, was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 5th round of the 2007 draft out of Pace High School in Florida. He was rated by Baseball America as the 15th best prospect in the Brewer's organization entering the 2011 season.

As always...

A special thanks to any blog followers from Turkey Scratch, Arkansas!