Hickory got a strong start from Moises Morales and a smooth first outing from Jake Barbee in its latest minor league action on 8/21/26.
Morales was sharp from the jump, striking out four across six shutout innings. Barbee, the 2025 12th-round pick, made his full season debut and handled three scoreless frames of his own, finishing with two strikeouts.
The offense did enough behind them. Sebastian Baquera collected two hits, while Pablo Guerrero and Dewar Tovar each doubled.
Marco Argudin added a hit, and Kaden Carpenter chipped in with a hit, two walks and a stolen base. Jeremy Owens also had a hit.
Hub City had a tougher night on the mound, with Caden Scarborough going through another rough outing. He was tagged for five runs and issued one walk over four innings. Casey Cook supplied the offense with a hit and a stolen base.
Frisco also ran into trouble, as Brock Porter lasted 3.2 innings and gave up a grand slam while walking four and striking out four. Thomas Ireland worked 1.1 shutout innings, striking out two and walking one.
Rafe Perich turned in one of the better offensive lines, going 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. Dylan Dreiling added a hit and a walk.
Round Rock saw a mixed night from its pitchers. Adam Macko struck out four over three shutout innings, Joe Ross allowed one run in two innings with one strikeout, and Josh Sborz tossed a shutout inning with one strikeout. Marc Church was hit hard for five runs in one inning, while Emiliano Teodo worked two innings, hitting a batter, walking a batter, striking out one and allowing a run.
At the plate, Cam Cauley and Aaron Zavala each went 2 for 5 with a walk and a homer off Jose Leclerc. Logan O’Hoppe finished 2 for 5 with a double, a walk and a homer off someone other than Jose Leclerc. John Taylor added a hit and three walks.
In Other News...
Rangers Suddenly Face A Jake Burger Lineup Problem
A tense night at the ballpark brought an immediate concern for Texas when Jake Burger left the game against the Angels after a pitch caught his left wrist. X-rays came back clean, which is obviously better than the alternative, but the diagnosis still left him with a left wrist contusion and the Rangers looking at how to fill the void at first base.
Burger has been one of the more important bats in the lineup, supplying 21 home runs and 73 RBIs before the injury stopped his night in the fifth inning. Even without a fracture, a wrist issue can linger for a hitter, and Texas now has to weigh lineup adjustments while waiting to learn how quickly he can get back to being himself. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Fans Got A Powerful Reminder Of Where It All Started
Before the Rangers took on the Angels at Globe Life Field, the organization made room to celebrate one of the most important teams in franchise history. The 1996 AL West champions were honored with autograph sessions, a luncheon and a ceremonial first pitch from Ken Hill, with Ivan Rodriguez behind the plate, giving fans a chance to reconnect with the group that helped push Texas into a new era.
The gathering carried extra weight because that 1996 club was the first in Rangers history to win a division title and a playoff game, a breakthrough that still resonates nearly three decades later. Several players and staff members from that team were on hand for the celebration, a reminder of where the franchise's winning tradition really started and how much those milestones still mean in Arlington. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Just Made An Offensive Gamble Fans Need To Watch
The Rangers added some needed pop by calling up catcher Logan OHoppe from Triple-A Round Rock, a move aimed squarely at giving the lineup a boost. It also came with a roster shakeup, as outfielder Jarred Kelenic was designated for assignment, a clear sign the club is willing to make a fairly sharp turn in search of more offense.
The timing matters, too, because Jake Burger took a pitch off his wrist and dealt with swelling, even though he remains available to play. Texas is trying to keep its bats moving while managing a few moving parts at once, and OHoppes arrival gives the club another option to lean on if the offense needs a lift in the days ahead. [Read more 🡒]