Roomates leading the way at Frisco

FRISCO, Texas -- The Texas League home run and RBI leader, along with the league's wins and ERA leaders, all live under one roof.

Double-A Frisco pitchers Barret Loux and Justin Grimm are roommates with fellow RoughRiders third baseman Mike Olt and first baseman Chris McGuiness. Loux, who has yet to lose this year, leads all professional pitchers with 11 wins. Grimm leads the Texas League with a 1.87 ERA, while Olt has hit 19 home runs and driven in 55 runs, both figures that lead the league.

"It's pretty crazy how that works out," Grimm said. "There's a lot of talent in there. We talk a lot. It makes it a lot better. It's loose around the house. It's not uptight or anything."

Together, they have Frisco looking to capture their second Texas League South division title in three years. The RoughRiders hold a 4 1/2-game lead over the Corpus Christi Hooks, who begin a four-game series against Frisco on Thursday. Frisco's lead over Midland was cut to five games after falling to the RockHounds, 5-2, on Wednesday afternoon. The RoughRiders have not trailed in the division standings this year.

"When you're winning in baseball, it makes it a lot more fun," Grimm said. "I've been on losing teams before, and it's a long and miserable season. You show up to the field with a lot more energy when you're winning. It's always fun to clinch, too."

Grimm has done his part this year, going 8-3 while striking out 67 batters and walking only 14. He has turned in quality starts in each of his last four outings, going 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA, 22 strikeouts and three walks during that stretch. In his most recent start last Sunday, Grimm had a consecutive scoreless-inning streak snapped at 25.

"To be honest with you, I kind of shied away from my changeup," Grimm said. "I wouldn't say I lost it, but it's not as consistent as my fasball. Fastball command, that's my go-to thing right now. That's what makes me good. A little bit of a breaking ball here and there, too."