Game 98: Corpus Christi Hooks (Ross Seaton) @ Frisco RoughRiders (Carlos Pimentel)--- TV GAME

Time: 7:05 PM CT
Location: Dr. Pepper Ballpark (Frisco, TX)
Team Records: Frisco RoughRiders (15-12 2 games back in the Texas League South; 55-42 overall)... Corpus Christi Hooks (13-14 4 games back in the Texas League South; 38-59 overall)
Streak: Won 1 in a row
Last 10: 5-5
Homestand: 1-0
Series Record: 14-10-3
2011 Record against Corpus Christi: 13-12
All-Time Record against Corpus Christi: 108-101
Record on July 23rd since 2004: 4-3

Starting Pitchers: Carlos Pimentel (3-6 5.07 ERA) vs. Ross Seaton (4-6 5.71 ERA)

Frisco Offense Sets Records in Rout: If people, fans, and families in attendance on Friday came for the fireworks, well the fireworks after the game must have been quite a let down after the fireworks that took place during the game. The Rider's offense let go an explosion that has never been seen by a Frisco RoughRider's offense on any other day. They tied or broke franchise records for runs (19- tied), hits (24), and homeruns (8) in a game en route to a 19-4 victory over the Corpus Christi Hooks, while moving another game closer to San Antonio.


Snyder Takes Team Lead: Ben Snyder gave up a season high 4 homeruns in Frisco's win on Friday, but still picked up his team best 8th win of the season in the blowout victory for Frisco. Snyder gave up 5 hits over 5 innings and 4 of the 5 hits were put into the stands. He did not issue a walk and struck out 4.


Mendonca Channels His Inner Nate Gold: The last time the Frisco RoughRiders offense scored 19 runs in a game came on July 13, 2006 against the Tulsa Drillers at Dr. Pepper Ballpark. That day Nate Gold, who was in the middle of a franchise record setting 34 homerun season, went 4 for 6 with 3 homeruns, 6 RBI, and 4 runs scored for Frisco. Just a little over five years later, against the Hooks in a 19-4 win, Tommy Mendonca went 4 for 6 with 3 homeruns, 6 RBI, and 3 runs scored for the Riders. The only difference between the two games for those two players was the one run scored. With 20 homeruns, Mendonca and Bianucci have become the first Frisco duo to have 20 or more homeruns in a season since Nate Gold (34) and Kevin Mahar (20) did so in 2006 and only the 2nd pair to hit 20 or more in the same season in Frisco's 9 year history.

5+ RBI Performances:

7 RBI

Jason Botts (7/21/04)- 3 for 6 with 2B, 2 HR 2 R
Nate Gold (8/3/06)- 3 for 5 with 2 HR 3 R
Steve Murphy (5/2/08)- 3 for 6 with 2 HR 3 R
Tim Smith (7/4/09)- 2 for 5 with 2 HR 2 R 1 BB

6 RBI

Brandon Larson (5/20/05)- 3 for 4 with 2B, 2 HR 2 R
Nate Gold (7/13/06)- 4 for 6 with 3 HR 4 R
Brandon Boggs (6/10/07)- 2 for 4 with 2 HR 2 R
Salomon Manriquez (6/12/07)- 4 for 5 with 2 HR 3 R
Johnny Whittleman (7/4/09)- 2 for 2 with 2 HR 3 R 3 BB
Mike Bianucci (6/3/11)- 3 for 6 with 2 2B
Tommy Mendonca (7/22/11)- 4 for 6 with 3 HR 3 R

5 RBI

Laynce Nix (5/12/03)- 4 for 5 with 2B, HR, 3 R
Pat Boyd (5/23/04)- 2 for 3 with 3B, HR, 2 R
Will Smith (6/10/04)- 2 for 3 with 2 HR 2 R
Ian Kinsler (6/19/04)- 2 for 4 with 2 HR 2 R 1 BB
Julio Mosquera (8/5/04)- 2 for 4 with HR, R
Nate Gold (5/19/06)- 2 for 3 with 2 HR, 3 R, 2 BB
Casey Benjamin (8/8/06)- 3 for 4 with 2B, HR, R
Adam Fox (6/23/08)- 3 for 5 with HR, 3 R
Renny Osuna (8/15/10)- 3 for 5 with HR, R
Andy Jenkins (8/29/10)- 2 for 4 with 2B, HR, R
Jonathan Greene (6/19/11)- 2 for 5 with 2 HR 2 R  BB
Elio Sarmiento (6/21/11)- 2 for 3 with 2B, HR, R, BB

Renny Eclipses 300: Renny Osuna's leadoff triple in the 1st inning to right field was his 300th hit for his career for the Frisco RoughRiders. He became the second RoughRider to reach the plateau in the 9 year history of the franchise. The first to do so was Steve Murphy, who accumulated a franchise record 319 hits over parts of four seasons. Renny finished 4 for 6 in the game with a triple, RBI, and 3 runs scored. He was one of three Frisco hitters with 4 hits in the game, joining Mendonca and Robbie Diaz. With 303 hits now for his career, Osuna stands 16 away from Murphy's total. With four more games like Friday, Osuna would tie the record this homestand!

Hilligoss Acclimating to AA Pitching Again: Mitch Hilligoss has found himself in AA each of the past two seasons for the second half and each of the two seasons he has been a productive hitter. After batting .294 with a .718 OPS in Myrtle Beach last season, Hilligoss got a 79 at bat audition in AA at the end of the year where he batted .304 with a .771 OPS and drove in 10 runs over 24 games. After hitting .253 with a .637 OPS this season for Myrtle Beach, Hilligoss again got the call to AA, and again he has hit well. With a 3 for 5 game on Friday, Hilligoss is now batting .333 (13 for 39) with a double, triple, 2 homeruns, and a .973 OPS.

First Pitch Thunder: Frisco hitters didn't take many pitches on Friday, but that was mainly because they were too busy depositing the first pitch they would see beyond the infield. Frisco hitters went 8 for 10 with 2 singles, 2 doubles, and 4 homeruns when they put the first pitch into play. The first four homeruns were all hit on the first pitch of the at bat.


Beltre Goes Deep: Engel Beltre had what seemed like a break through season last year when the toolsy, but raw outfielder had 15 doubles, 8 triples, and 6 homeruns between high-A and AA. Of his 8 triples, 4 of them came for Frisco. But Beltre suffered a homerun drought to finish last season and began this year with an even longer one. His homerun on Friday, which was crushed to right field, was Beltre's 1st homerun of the season and ended a 505 plate appearance homerun drought. He finished the game 2 for 5 with the homerun, 2 RBI, and a run scored. Beltre also stole a base and was caught stealing going from second to third. The enigmatic outfielder seems to be hitting the ball better lately and taking much better at bats. His strikeout in the 3rd inning on Friday was probably one of his better at bats this year as he fouled off 5 pitches and saw 10 total pitches in the at bat.


Kody Hinze Continues to Kill Frisco Pitching: Over his last 5 games against Frisco, Kody Hinze is batting 9 for 20 with 4 doubles and a homerun. He has 7 consecutive 2 hit games and 8 of his last 9 games have been 2 hits or more. He is batting .450 with a 1.250 OPS in 5 games against Frisco. Overall since being promoted to Corpus Christi, Hinze is batting .365 with 4 doubles, 3 homeruns, and 8 RBI in 14 games with a 1.019 OPS. For the Lancaster Jethawks of the California League, Hinze batted .323 with 20 doubles, 22 homeruns, and 70 RBI in 80 games with a 1.083 OPS.

Tracking Texas League Homeruns: 753 homeruns in 770 games (0.978 HR/G)

Term of the Day: Pebble Hit- A base hit made when a rock, pebble, stone, or other field irregularity causes the ball to bounce away from the fielder.

Last Year on This Date: Frisco lost 6-5 at home to the Corpus Christi Hooks. Michael Schlact started for Frisco and gave up 10 hits and 6 runs over 5 1/3 innings with 3 strikeouts and 0 walks. Adalberto Flores pitched 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, while Brennan Garr pitched the 9th inning scoreless. James Tomlin led Frisco's offense with a 4 for 5 game including a double, homerun, 2 RBI, and a run scored. Andy Jenkins added a 3 for 4 game with a double and run scored. Marcus Lemon had a 2 for 5 game with 2 runs scored for the Riders as well. Emerson Frostad and Taylor Teagarden each added a hit, while Renny Osuna had 2 in 4 at bats, including a double and a RBI.

Around the Ranger's System

Yesterday's Record: 1-4

Round Rock (AAA) gave up 5 runs in the 5th inning and lost 10-4 to the Omaha Storm Chasers on the road. Zach Jackson started for Round Rock and gave up 12 10 hits, 2 walks, and 7 runs over 5 innings with 2 strikeouts. Michael Kirkman gave up 3 runs (1 earned) in 2 innings of relief, while Derek Hankins pitched a scoreless 8th inning. Leonys Martin led Round Rock's offense with a 4 for 6 game including a double, RBI, and 2 runs scored. Chris Davis went 2 for 3 with a double and RBI before being pulled during the game for Esteban German, who finished 2 for 2 with a double and a RBI. Chad Tracy went 1 for 3 with a RBI and 2 walks for the Express. Nick Green went 2 for 3 with a walk, while Kevin Cash added 2 hits in 4 at bats. Joey Butler had a hit in the game in 5 at bats and Guilder Rodriguez and Brad Nelson each added a hit as well.

Myrtle Beach (High-A) was shutout 2-0 by the Frederick Keys on the road. Barret Loux started for Myrtle Beach and gave up 5 hits, 2 walks, and 2 runs over 6 1/3 innings with 10 strikeouts. Joe Ortiz pitched a scoreless inning of relief, while Zach Osborned did not give up a run in the final 2/3 of an inning of relief. Jared Bolden went 2 for 4 at the plate with a double for Myrtle Beach. Zach Zaneski and Andres James each went 1 for 3 with a double for the Pelicans as well. Santiago Chirino added a 1 for 3 day, too.

Hickory (Low-A) gave up 8 runs in the 4th inning and lost 12-9 to the Greensboro Grasshoppers at home. Luke Jackson started for Hickory and gave up 4 hits, 2 walks, and 6 runs (5 earned) over 3 innings with 7 strikeouts. Ben Rowen gave up 5 unearned runs in 1 inning of relief. Andrew Doyle pitched 3 innings of shutout relief, while Colby Killian gave up a run in 1 inning and Francisco Mendoza pitched a last inning of scoreless relief. Josh Richmond led Hickory's offense with a 2 for 4 game including a double, homerun, RBI, walk, and 3 runs scored. Jurickson Profar added a 1 for 4 game with a double, RBI, walk, run, and stole home for the Crawdads. Kellin Deglan and Jhonny Gomez each went 2 for 4 with a run scored. Andrew Clark went 1 for 5 with a RBI, while Christian Villanueva and Tomas Telis each went 1 for 5 with a run scored. Jake Skole went 1 for 3 with a triple, 2 RBI, walk, and run. Odubel Herrera added a hit as well.

Spokane (Short Season A-Ball) gave up 3 runs in the 5th inning and lost 4-2 to the Tri-City Dust Devils at home. Nicholas McBride started for Spokane and gave up 11 hits and 4 runs over 4 2/3 innings with 4 strikeouts and 0 walks. Juan Grullon pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief, while Jose Monegro finished the final 2 innings as well. Rougned Odor went 1 for 3 at the plate with a walk, while Trever Adams also went 1 for 3 with a walk. Drew Robinson added the only power for Spokane with a 1 for 4 game including a solo homerun. Brett Nicholas and Yefry Castillo each went 1 for 4 for the Indians. Hanser Alberto went 1 for 3 with a walk, while Hirotoshi Onaka went 0 for 2 with 2 walks.

Minor League Performance of the Day

In a day when hitting owned in Frisco, it was Tommy Mendonca's day that came out on top. Mendonca went 4 for 6 with 3 homeruns, 6 RBI, and 3 runs scored in Frisco's 19-4 victory over the Corpus Christi Hooks. The two teams combined for 12 homeruns hit in the game, finishing 9 homeruns short of the record for most homeruns hit in a single Texas League game, which was set way back in 1902. Tommy Mendonca deposited pitches in the 1st, 2nd, and 7th innings over the wall for homeruns. His first homerun went into the pool making it the 4th splash ball in Frisco this season alone. Before this season there had been just 1 hit into the pool in right field. On the season, Mendonca is batting .305 with 20 homeruns, 71 RBI, and a .923 OPS.

A special thanks to any blog followers from Stiffknee Knob, NC!

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- By Michael Damman