Justin Foscue, Round Rock Start Second Half With Victory

Round Rock (9-4, 53-34, 2nd, 1.0 GB) defeated Tacoma, 5-4, behind 1B Blaine Crim (4-for-4, BB, 1B, HR, RBI) and 3B Justin Foscue (2-for-4, BB, HR,2 RBI). DH Sandro Fabian (2-for-4, 3B) notched a multi-hit effort and C Sam Huff (1-for-4, BB, HR, 2 RBI) continued his hot July with a 2-R shot, and is 15-for-33 (.455) with 3 HR and 14 RBI this month. RHP Seth Nordlin (4.0 IP 3 H, 2 R-ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) made his first start back from the developmental list and struck out a trio of batters across 4.0 innings. In relief, LHP Taylor Hearn (W, 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) earned the win and has a 0.77 ERA (1 ER/11.2 IP) in his last 6 app.

The Frisco RoughRiders (7-6, 38-43, 3rd, 2.0 GB) defeated Amarillo, 8-3, as 1B Josh Hatcher (2-for-4, BB, HR, 4 RBI) homered and drove in 4 runs. Hatcher is 16-for-47 (.340) with 16 RBI in 13 G with the ’Riders. SS Luisangel Acuña (1-for-4, BB, 2B, 2 SB) extended his hit streak to 14 games with a single and stole a pair of bases (36, 1st in TL). 2B Thomas Saggese (2-for-5, 3 RBI) tallied a pair of RBI singles to give him 64 RBI this season (3 rd most RBI in Texas League). RF Kellen Strahm (2-for-3, 2 BB, 2B, RBI) reached in 4 of 5 PA while CF Evan Carter (1-for-4, BB) got on base twice. RHP Grant Wolfram (W, 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R-ER, 4 SO) remained perfect on the season (5-0) after striking out 4 of 7 BF (57.1%) to earn the win.

Hickory (13-2, 40-36, 1st, +2.5 GA) defeated Greenville, 9-2, and has won 16 of 18 and 19 of its last 23 games. 1B Abimelec Ortiz (2-for-4), fresh off being named Texas ML POTM in June, finished with a pair of hits while SS Keyber Rodriguez (2-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI) drove in 3 runs. CF Daniel Mateo (2-for-4, HR, RBI) launched his 6th homer of ’23 in the win while RF Yosy Galan (2-for-3, BB, RBI) reached 3 times. After a short outing from starting LHP Mitch Bratt (L, 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R-ER, 3 BB, 2 SO), the bullpen combined to retire 25 of the next 33 BF. RHP Florencio Serrano (W, 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R-ER,2 BB, 2 SO) earned his 1st win this year.

Down East (9-7, 46-31, 1st, +0.5 GA) lost to Charleston, 2-0. DH Zion Bannister (2-for-3, 2B), SS Cam Cauley (1-for-4, 2B), and 2B Danyer Cueva (1- for-4) combined for the Woodies’ 4 hits in the contest. RHP Joseph Montalvo (L, 3.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R-ER, 1 BB,6 SO) shouldered the loss despite punching out 6 batters in 3.0 IP. His 1.91 ERA this season paces Down East (min. 25 IP). In relief, RHP Aidan Curry (3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R-ER, 1 BB, 4 SO) twirled a trio scoreless frames and hasn’t surrendered a run in his last 3 app./1 start (0 ER/10.0 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 10 SO).

The ACL Rangers (12-15, 5th, 5.5 GB) lost, 4-3, to the ACL Dodgers. SS Sebastian Walcott (1-for-3, HR, RBI) swatted his team-leading 6th homer this year as the 17-year-old is now 19-for-51 (.373) with 10 XBH and 11 RBI this season. LF Edgar Basabe (2-for-4, RBI) and 1B Esteban Mejia (1-for-4, RBI) accounted for 2 of the 3 Rangers runs. RHP William Bormie (3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R-ER, 6 SO) struck out 6 of 12 BF (50%) while RHP John Matthews (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R-ER, 3 SO) tossed a pair of perfect frames and hasn’t allowed a R across 2 app. in the ACL (3.0 IP).