Thomas Saggese Hits Grand Slam in Frisco Victory

Round Rock (14-6, 58-36, 1st, +2.0 GB) defeated Reno, 4-3, after an RBI single from 3B Justin Foscue (1-for-4, RBI) gave the Express their 2nd one-run victory in as many days. CF Bubba Thompson (2-for-3, BB, 2B, RBI) led off the 8th frame with a double and was subsequently brought around on Foscue’s go-ahead knock. RHP Marc Church (W, 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R-ER, 2 BB) tossed a scoreless 8th and 9th inning to earn his 2nd win of the season. 1B Blaine Crim (1-for-3, 3B, RBI) tallied his team-leading 5th triple of the season, also tied for the most in the Pacific Coast League. LHP Jake Latz (3.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R-ER, 3 SO) threw a trio of shutout innings in the start, and has a 0.75 ERA (1 ER/12.0 IP) through 6 games/2 starts in July. 

Frisco (10-10, 41-47, T3rd, 4.0 GB) defeated San Antonio, 8-6, after 2B Thomas Saggese’s (2-for-5, HR, 4 RBI) first-career grand slam pushed the ‘Riders to a victory The 21-year-old ranks within the top 10 in the Texas League in AVG (4th, .310), H (1st, 107), R (61, T3rd), 2B (20, T4th), and RBI (70, T2nd). LF Kellen Strahm (1-for-4, 2B, RBI), DH Liam Hicks (1-for-3, BB, 2B, RBI) and SS Luisangel Acuña (2-for-4, BB, 2B) all recorded doubles for Frisco. CF Evan Carter (1-for-3, 2 BB, RBI) reached in 3 of 5 PA and leads the RoughRiders with 48 walks this season. RHP Nick Starr (W, 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R-ER, 2 SO) earned the win, while RHP Matt Bush (S, 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R-ER) recorded the final two outs for the save. 

Hickory (16-6, 43-40, 1st, +3.5 GA) Hickory split a twin bill with Rome (W, 3-2, L, 9-3) on Saturday night after having washouts on consecutive days. 1B Abimelec Ortiz (2-for-5, BB, HR, RBI) and LF Geisel Cepeda (2-for-4, BB, RBI) were the only two ‘Dads to record hits in both contests, each driving in a run apiece. DH Max Acosta (1-for-5, HR, 2 RBI) belted a 2-R homer in the opening contest, his 6th long ball of the season to put Hickory in front, 4-2. RHP Emiliano Teodo (4.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R-ER, 2 BB, 6 SO) allowed a lone run across 4.1 innings of work in the Crawdads victory. RHP Leury Tejada (L, 0.1 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 4 ER) recorded just one out in the second game, shouldering the loss. 

Down East (11-12, 48-36, 5th, 2.5 GB) was limited to just 4 hits as they fell, 5-1, to Salem. The Woodies fell behind in the 2nd inning as the Red Sox tagged RHP Brock Porter (4.0 IP, 1H, 1 R-ER, 3 BB, 1 SO) for a run. However after LF Zion Bannister (0-for-2, R) reached on a HBP and stole second, he was brought home by 1B Yenci Pena (1-for-4, RBI) on an RBI single to even the game at one. Salem eventually broke through for a quartet of runs off LHP Kohl Drake (L, 4.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R-ER, 4 SO) who suffered his 2nd loss with Down East after being promoted on 7/4. 2B Miguel Villarroel (1-for-4), 3B Gleider Figuereo (1- for-4, 2B) and RF JoJo Blackmon (1-for-3) rounded out the Woodies’ offensive efforts. 

The ACL Rangers (14-19, 5th, 8.0 GB) lost the ACL Reds, 6-3, despite a trio of hits from DH Christian Gonzalez (3-for-4). LF Marcos Torres (1-for-3, BB, RBI) tallied the Rangers’ lone RBI of the contest. 2B Echedry Vargas (2-for-3, BB) added a pair of hits and reached in 3 of 4 PA. DH Sebastain Walcott (0-for-5) had his 15-G hit streak snapped after going hitless, as the 17-year-old went 27-for-71 (.380) with 12 XBH and 14 RBI over that span. RHP Michael Alfonso (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R-ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) struck out 2 of 4 BF.