Promising pitching matchup in Frisco goes awry

The Frisco RoughRiders are hosting the LA Angels' AA affiliate Arkansas tonight, with lefty Michael Kirkman facing Mansfield's Jordan Walden. Kirkman has risen quickly over the past year after struggling with injuries and control problems his first few years in the minors. He started slow in Frisco but has been solid of late. Walden ranked #70 on Baseball America's top 100 prospect list coming into the season. Walden gave up a leadoff single to Craig Gentry, threw away a pickoff attempt, then walked second hitter Dustin Majewski. Ball four sailed over catching prospect Hank Conger's head, and Walden left the game with an injury. His fastball sat at a disappointing 88 mph. Kirkman stayed in the game a little longer but struggled as well. He lasted just three innings and gave up six runs on eight hits and two walks, striking out two. He struggled with his command early and was hit around pretty hard over the first two innings. His fastball sat around 90 mph and he t...