AMARILLO, Texas (July 9, 2025) — After a thrilling 10-inning victory on Tuesday night, the Frisco RoughRiders (43-38) return to HODGETOWN for the second game of their six-game set against the Amarillo Sod Poodles (39-43), the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m., with right-hander Daniel Missaki (0-2, 6.39 ERA) getting the nod for Frisco, while Amarillo counters with righty Jonatan Bernal (1-1, 3.77 ERA).

Tuesday’s opener showcased resilience from the RoughRiders, who rallied from multiple deficits before securing an 8-7 win in extra innings. Frisco improved to 5-8 in the second half and 3-2 in extra-inning contests. Amarillo, meanwhile, fell to 7-6 in the second half and will look to rebound quickly.

Pitching Preview

Frisco hands the ball to Missaki, who is still in search of his first win of the season. The 28-year-old Brazilian has struggled with consistency through his first several outings, allowing 20 earned runs in just over 28 innings. His command will be under the microscope tonight against a Sod Poodles offense that showed plenty of pop in game one, highlighted by Caleb Roberts’ two-run homer.

Amarillo will turn to Bernal, who has quietly been one of the more reliable arms in their rotation. Over 43 innings, Bernal has allowed 18 earned runs while striking out 36. His 3.77 ERA is one of the better marks among Sod Poodles starters, and his ability to pitch to contact could be pivotal against a Frisco offense that put together 13 hits Tuesday.

Riders Rally Behind Moller, Biggers

The RoughRiders’ offense came alive on Tuesday after falling behind 4-0 in the second inning. Ian Moller provided the spark with a solo home run in the third—his first of the month—before driving in another run later with an infield single. Moller is now batting .395 over his last 12 games and has quietly emerged as one of the most productive hitters in the Texas League during that stretch.

Jax Biggers also made his presence felt, drawing a bases-loaded walk in the sixth and delivering the game-winning RBI single in the 10th. His knack for clutch moments has become a defining trait of Frisco’s late-game heroics.

Key Matchup: Frisco’s Bullpen vs. Amarillo’s Bats

One of the defining aspects of Tuesday’s victory was the RoughRiders’ bullpen. Gerardo Carrillo earned his first win with a scoreless ninth, and Gavin Collyer nailed down the save—his eighth of the season, good for second in the Texas League. Frisco relievers have been quietly dominant, and that trend continued as they held Amarillo to just one run over the final five innings.

For Amarillo, Jose Fernandez led the offense with two RBI singles, and Ivan Melendez contributed a pair of sacrifice flies. The Sod Poodles are capable of stringing together big innings, but they’ll need to capitalize on their chances more efficiently after leaving the tying run stranded in scoring position to end Tuesday’s game.

What to Watch

• Depth vs. Dominance: Frisco had seven different players reach base Tuesday and five who drove in runs. Look for manager Carlos Cardoza to keep the lineup aggressive early, especially against Bernal’s fastball-heavy approach.

• Sod Poodles’ Bounce Back: Amarillo’s bullpen was stretched in game one. Bernal will need to provide length if the Sod Poodles hope to even the series.

• Missaki’s Control: The Riders’ right-hander has walked 14 batters in just 28.1 innings this season. If his command falters, Amarillo’s power hitters like Caleb Roberts and Tommy Troy could do damage.

Final Thoughts

Frisco’s dramatic victory in the series opener could serve as a momentum-builder as the team tries to climb back into playoff contention in the second half of the Texas League season. With Missaki on the mound and Moller continuing to surge at the plate, the RoughRiders will aim for a second straight win over a Sod Poodles squad looking to bounce back quickly.

First pitch from HODGETOWN is at 7:05 p.m. CT.