Frisco, TX | The Frisco RoughRiders faced off against the San Antonio Missions in the first playoff game since 2014. It was a great game to watch, and with the 5,023 fans, the atmosphere was electric.
Texas Rangers top pitching prospect Jack Leiter was tabbed for the start. Much like the regular season, we saw some good and some bad.
His fastball topped out at 97 from what I saw but command was an issue. I’d argue that home plate umpire Alex Nash missed a few from my vantage point.
The Missions (Padres Double-A affiliate) got off to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st.
The Missions kept the pressure on with two more runs in the top of the fourth. Jack Leiter got a pop out on a 1-2 count but then walked the bases-loaded. He was replaced by Seth Nordlin who gave up a two-run single to Connor Hollis. Both runs were charged to Leiter. Nordlin was able to escape the inning without any further damage.
Jack Leiter’s final line: 3.1ip, 3r, 2h, 6bb, 4so. 79/43 strikes.
Hopefully the RoughRiders can win another game in San Antinio and extend their season to give Jack another start. I know he is a competitor and probably doesn’t want to end the season that way before heading off to Vanderbilt.
The RoughRiders waited until the 5th to score some runs to make it a tie game at 3-3.
The trying run came from a two-out Evan Carter RBI-single.
Aaron Zavala put the RoughRiders ahead for good in the bottom of the 8th when he hit a go-ahead home run.
Kellen Strahm added an RBI-double and Jonathan Ornelas hit a two-run single for some insurance runs just in case they were needed.
out of the pen
The RoughRiders used five relievers including Joe Barlow who is on a Major League rehab assignment. He pitched and scoreless 7th frame, striking out one.
Nick Starr, who has been absolutely nails on the mound this season, was brought in to put the finishing touches on this one. He did just that, striking out the last two batters he faced to secure the RoughRiders 7-3 victory over the Missions and take game one of the series.
Up next
Don’t miss a moment of the action as LHP Cody Bradford takes the mound for the RoughRiders in game two of the Division Series against the Missions. The game is free to watch on milbtv. First pitch is set for 7:05.
