MIDLAND Jonah Heim and Chase Calabuig combined to drive in five runs and Kyle Friedrichs pitched seven strong innings Thursday as the Midland RockHounds beat the Frisco RoughRiders 5-2 in the opener of their Texas League series at Security Bank Ballpark.
The RockHounds have won three in a row to close to within 3½ games of South Division leader Frisco.
Heim, who was 2 for 4, had a two-run double in the first inning and drove in a run in the seventh when he reached on an error. Calabuig, who was 1 for 4, singled in a run in the third to give Midland a 3-0 lead and had a run-scoring fielder’s choice in the fifth.
Kevin Merrell went 3 for 4 and Dairon Blanco was 2 for 5 with a double as Midland totaled 12 hits.
Friedrichs (1-2) gave up a run on five hits to get his first win of the season with Midland. John Gorman pitched the ninth, giving up a hit while striking out two, for his fourth save.
Frisco starter Jonathan Hernandez (2-4) allowed four runs in nine hits over five innings to take the loss.
The RoughRiders got on the board in the fifth on Brendon Davis’ sacrifice fly. Juremi Profar added an RBI double in the eighth.
Preston Beck was 2 for 3 with a double for Frisco.
The teams continue the series at 7 p.m. Friday.
