Evan Carter, Thomas Saggese and John Matthews were officially promoted to Double-A Frisco today. Each of them figure to play a big role this series to help the Riders get to the post-season. Evan Carter and John Matthews made their Double-A debuts tonight.
The RoughRiders magic number for a spot in the post-season is now three games as Midland lost to Wichita 3-1.
Jack Leiter, the top pitching prospect in the Texas Rangers organization, made the start for the RoughRiders. This was his 23rd outing this season- 22nd start.
This was likely Leiter’s last start of the regular season. The RoughRiders could use him on Sunday or save him until Tuesday to start their first post-season game, if they make it.
Leiter goes 4.2 innings
Leiter hit up to 95 MPH in the 1st and used a mixture of his fastball and curveball. He gave up a run on an RBI-triple that took an odd carom off the centerfield wall. He threw threw straight curveballs for his 1st strikeout.
Leiter cruised through the 2nd, giving up a hit and the 3rd, issuing only a walk.
In the 4th, Leiter gave up a solo home run to Luca Tresh who sent the ball 342 feet. It was 100 mph off the bat.
Slider for strike out number four.
The RoughRiders first run came in the top of the 2nd.
Trevor Hauver hit a sac-fly scoring Luisangel Acuña who led off with a single, stole 2nd base, then went 3rd on a wild pitch.
The big shot for the RoughRiders came in the top of the 5th when Scott Kapers hit a 3-run home run (425 feet/104 off the bat) to give the Riders a 4-3 lead. It was the 2nd straight game that he hit a 3-run homer.
Jack Leiter issued a bases-loaded walk in the 5th to tie the game at 4-4 and newly promoted John Matthews replaced him with the bases still loaded.
Leiter’s final line: 4.2ip, 5r, 5h, 6bb, 4so, 94/52 strikes.
Out of the pen
Matthews walked the first batter he faced to bring in another run to give the Naturals the lead. He struckout his next batter looking for his 1st AA strikeout.
Matthews (18.00) pitched one inning allowing two runs on on two hits, three walks and three strikeouts.
Kevin Gowdy (9.80) pitched 1.1 innings and allowed one run on two hits.
Triston Polley (4.13) had the only scoreless outing. In his inning of work, he gave up two hits and struckout one.
More from the plate
Justin Foscue (.286) was the only RoughRider to have a multi-hit game going 3-for-4 with a strikeout.
Evan Carter went 0-for-2 in his Double-A debut but got on base twice via a walk and HBP.
First pitch was at 7:07 and the gametime temperature was 80 degrees. The game took 2 hours and 52 minutes.
Up next
The RoughRiders will send Left-hander Cody Bradford to the mound in hopes of securing their 72nd win of the season.
