TEXAS RANGERS MINOR LEAGUE REPORT TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2021
Organizational Record: 28-18 (.609)
Transactions: LHP James Jones transferred from Arizona to Round Rock…RHP Hans Crouse transferred from Arizona to Frisco…RHP Tim Brennan placed on 7-day IL (Frisco).
ROUND ROCK EXPRESS – W, 6-4 | W, 5-4 VS. SUG
Triple-A West, East Division (8-3, T1st, – GB)
Today’s Probable Starter: LHP Joe Palumbo Round Rock swept Monday’s doubleheader against visiting Sugar Land to improve to 8-3 on the season, winning the first matchup 6-4 before capturing a 5-4 walk-off victory in the nightcap. Game one saw LHP Brock Burke (2.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R-ER, 3 BB, 1 SO) start against rehabbing HOU LHP Framber Valdez, who was ambushed by the E-Train for 5 runs (one earned) on 6 hits in the 1st inning. 1B Elier Hernandez finished with a pair of singles and drove in 3, overtaking the club lead in RBI (11). RHP Demarcus Evans earned his 1st win of ‘21 after firing 2.0 SHO IP in relief (0 H, 2 BB, 5 SO). The 24-yearold has struck out 12 batters while walking just 3 in 4 G (5.2 IP) this season. In the latter game, Round Rock was lifted by a trio of home runs, including a walk-off blast by C Yohel Pozo in the bottom of the 7th. DH Delino DeShields connected for a leadoff homer in the opening frame for his 2nd long ball of the campaign, and LF Jason Martin added a 2-run home run (3) in the 3rd. RHP Collin Wiles did not factor into the decision after tossing 5.0 scoreless innings in the start for the Express (5 H, 0 BB, 3 SO), and has allowed just 1 R-ER through 2 GS (10.0 IP) this season. RHP Luis Ortiz fanned all 3 batters he faced in the top of the 7th and was awarded the win after Pozo’s 2-run walk-off homer flipped a 3-4 deficit to a 5-4 victory.
FRISCO ROUGHRIDERS – DID NOT PLAY
Double-A Central, South Division (7-4, 1st, – GB)
Today’s Probable Starter: LHP Jake Latz The ‘Riders were not in action Monday due to a scheduled off day, but will resume play tonight with the opener of a 13-day, 12-game road trip featuring stops in San Antonio (6 G) and Midland (6 G). Tonight’s game will be the club’s first away contest of the campaign after playing 11 straight at home.
HICKORY CRAWDADS – DID NOT PLAY
High-A East, South Division (4-8, 7th, 5.0 GB)
Today’s Probable Starter: RHP Justin Slaten Hickory is slated to begin a 6-game home set with the Greensboro Grasshoppers tonight following Monday’s scheduled off day. The ‘Dads will enter the contest riding a 4-game losing streak after dropping 5 of 6 games vs. Winston-Salem in their previous series.
DOWN EAST WOOD DUCKS – DID NOT PLAY
Low-A East, Central Division (9-3, 1st, – GB)
Today’s Probable Starter: RHP Abdiel Mendoza The Low-A East, Central division-leading Wood Ducks were off on Monday while traveling to Charleston for a 6-game series with the RiverDogs slated to begin tonight. Down East opened the 2021 season 8-0, but has since lost 3 of its last 4 games. The club’s 9 wins this year are still tied with Delmarva, Lynchburg and Tampa for the most in all of Low-A.