Gonzalez turns in stellar debut with RoughRiders

For the second straight day, a highly regarded Rangers prospect made his debut with Double-A Frisco. And for the second straight day, they delivered a victory for the RoughRiders.

On Monday, it was third baseman Joey Gallo who moved up from Class A Myrtle Beach. The Rangers' No. 4 prospect and reigning Minor League home run king won his debut with a walk-off homer.

On Tuesday, it was No. 6 prospect Alex Gonzalez's turn. He too had begun the season with Myrtle Beach and earned a promotion by going 5-2 with a 2.62 ERA in 11 starts.

In his first start for the RoughRiders, Gonzalez shined. He threw five scoreless innings and Frisco defeated Midland, 7-2.

Working efficiently, Gonzalez threw just 61 pitches and faced one batter over the minimum. He held Midland to one hit in five innings and struck out six batters.

Gonzalez began the game by retiring 12 consecutive hitters before Josh Whitaker hit a leadoff double in the fifth inning. The right-hander responded by setting the next three batters down in order to end his night.

The Rangers selected Gonzalez 23rd overall in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft. In his first full professional season, he is 6-2 with a 2.43 ERA. He has struck out 55 batters and walked 16 in 70 1/3 innings.

Led by Gallo, Frisco provided plenty of offense for Gonzalez on Tuesday. Gallo went 2-forr-2 with a home run, a double, two walks, two runs and two RBIs. After homering in his first two games for the RoughRiders, he leads the Minor Leagues with 23 home runs.