SAN ANTONIO — The Frisco RoughRiders’ first-half title hopes took a hit Friday night as they fell 2-1 to the San Antonio Missions in a tightly contested matchup at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium.
San Antonio (38-29) took the early lead and never relinquished it. Brandon Valenzuela provided all the offense the Missions would need, launching a solo home run in the opening frame and later delivering a sacrifice fly in the fifth to make it 2-0.
Frisco (37-29) clawed back in the seventh when Keyber Rodriguez ripped an RBI double to score Josh Hatcher, cutting the deficit to one. However, the Riders’ rally was short-circuited when Frainyer Chavez followed with a single and Rodriguez was thrown out at home trying to score the tying run.
In the ninth, the RoughRiders threatened again. Luis Mieses came off the bench with a pinch-hit single and advanced to second on a wild pitch, but Missions reliever Manuel Castro shut the door by catching Abimelec Ortiz looking at strike three to end the game.
Pitching Duel Defines the Night
San Antonio starter Henry Baez (2-2) was masterful, allowing just two hits and striking out a career-high 10 over 5.2 scoreless innings. Frisco’s David Davalillo (0-1), making his Double-A debut, was solid despite the loss, giving up two runs across 4.2 innings while striking out three.
The RoughRiders bullpen—Ryan Lobus, Larson Kindreich, and Gerardo Carrillo—combined to toss 3.1 scoreless innings to keep the game within reach.
Standings Update
With two games remaining in the Texas League South’s first half, Frisco now sits a half-game behind co-leaders San Antonio and Midland. The RoughRiders must win their final two games and hope for at least one Midland loss to secure the division’s first-half title and a postseason berth.
Up Next
The RoughRiders and Missions square off again in a crucial contest on Saturday, June 21st, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium. Frisco’s playoff hopes hang in the balance.
