Rangers Top Prospect and their third baseman shine in different ways
Hub City Spartanburgers
The Spartanburgers were out 4-0 against the Rome Emperors (Atlanta Braves). They got a good start out of Leandro Lopez as he threw five shutout innings allowing two hits, two walks and striking out two.
Dalton Pence would cough up the lead on a sacrifice fly from third baseman Will Verdung that made it 1-0.
The Emperors would expand their lead in the next inning against Joey Danielson allowed a lead off home run to second baseman Ambioris Tavarez and a pair of doubles to designated hitter Keshawn Ogans and catcher Mac Guscette putting the Spartanburgers in a 3-0 hole.
The final run against the Spartanburgers came on a fielding error from left fielder Quincy Scott that scored Mason Guerra.
The Spartanburgers collected five hits on the day. Second baseman Casey Cook and Quincy Scott both led the team as much of them collected a pair of hits.
Rangers no.2 prospect Malcom Moore went 0 for 3, but he reached on a hit by pitch. He is hitting .209 on the year, hopefully he can get hot at the plate in the next coming games.
Hickory Crawdads
The Hickory Crawdads pulled out an extra inning 6-4 win over the Lynchburg Hillcats (Cleveland Guardians).
Designated hitter Marco Torres brought in the sixth and final run for the Crawdads with a RBI single that brought in center fielder Yeremy Cabera who had a fielder's choice earlier in the inning to give Hickory the lead.
Torres, shortstop Esteban Mejia and catcher Ben Hartl led the team with two hits and two RBIs. Starter Ismael Agreda gave them a solid start with four innings allowing a run on two hits, two walks, and three strikeouts.
Grant Cherry went 2.2 scoreless innings allowing one hit, two walks and four strikeouts. Michael Trausch didn't have as smooth of a time with a pair of runs in 1.2 innings.
Jesus Gamez went 1.2 hitless innings allowing one run with four walks and three strikeouts. He had trouble with command blowing the save and picked the win.
Frisco Roughriders
Rangers' top prospect Sebastian Walcott would go 0 for 5 on the day, but would come through for his team when they needed him. The Roughriders were up 7-6 in 10th and were looking to tag on an insurance run with the bases loaded and two outs.
It would be easy for him try to make the highlight play that he often does and go for the grand slam. However, he would be patient and take a four pitch walk to add an important run. That run would be the difference in the game as they won 8-7 over the Armarillo Sod Poodles (Arizona Diamondbacks).
This shows the growth of Walcott and how he is becoming a more mature hitter and a better all around player. This is what the Rangers and fans are looking for from him and why they are so excited about him in the future.
Designated hitter Luis Mieses led the way with three hits with a RBI. Cam Cauley, Ian Moller and Aaron Zavala followed up with two hits each. Zavala and Moller each a RBI, Moller with his third home run of the year and Zavala with a single.
Starter Ben Anderson struggled as he allowed five runs in six innings on nine hits, no walks, and four strikeouts. Larson Kindreich allowed one run on three hits in two innings and allowed one walk with four strikeouts.
Gavin Collyer got the job done with the one inning save while allowing one run (unearned) on two hits and one strikeouts.
Round Rock Express
The Round Rock Express suffered a close 6-5 loss against the Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado Rockies).
Josh Jung is trying to make his case to join the big league team as he went 2 for 5 with a single and a double. He has recently been sent down from the team and this was his first game in Round Rock. If Jung can keep this up then he will be back with the major league team soon.
Blake Crim and Rowdy Tellez both hit two-run homers to try to back up Jung's efforts. Both of them present interesting options for the Rangers as they look for more production from first base and the designated hitter positions.
Corey Abbott got the start for the Express giving them a solid start allowing a pair of runs over four innings. He limited the damage as he worked out a bases loaded situation in the first inning as he struck out a pair of batters to end it.
Peyton Gray and Dane Acker each threw a scoreless inning in relief. Skyler Hales didn't have as much luck and got hit hard as he allowed three runs in one inning. Robby Ahlstrom got tagged for the loss as he allowed one run in his appearance.
Recently sent down Cole Winn got the last inning of work and pitched a scoreless inning with a hit, a walk, and a strikeout. He should be back with the Rangers as he boasts a 0 ERA in triple A while have a 1.59 ERA with the Rangers.
This is a good development for Jung and the Rangers are hoping that this trip in the minors could be good for the young third baseman and they could see him back with the team soon.
