Home MiLB MiLB Game Recap: Lopez Shines with 10 K’s in Double-A Debut, but Riders Fall Late to Wind Surge

MiLB Game Recap: Lopez Shines with 10 K’s in Double-A Debut, but Riders Fall Late to Wind Surge

July 24, 2025
MiLB, Team Coverage

WICHITA, Kansas (July 24, 2025) — Leandro Lopez put on a dazzling display in his first Double-A start, but the Frisco RoughRiders couldn’t hold on to multiple late leads, falling 6-5 to the Wichita Wind Surge on Thursday night at Equity Bank Park.

The RoughRiders (9-15, 47-45) looked poised to ride Lopez’s brilliance to victory after the 22-year-old right-hander struck out 10 batters over five dominant innings. However, the bullpen couldn’t preserve two late-inning advantages, as Wichita (12-12, 49-44) rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth to snatch the win and take a 2-1 lead in the six-game series.

Lopez Dominates in Debut

Lopez, promoted from High-A Hickory earlier this week, delivered a sensational performance that underscored his potential as a rising prospect in the Rangers’ system. After issuing walks to the first two batters he faced, Lopez settled in with icy resolve, retiring 14 of his final 15 hitters and striking out six of his last seven. He yielded just one hit and didn’t allow a run, leaving with a 2-0 lead.

“That was the best I’ve seen him command the zone,” said RoughRiders manager Carlos Cardoza. “He showed real poise, especially after the shaky start. Big-time performance.”

Offense Provides Sparks

The Riders backed Lopez with a two-run burst in the top of the fifth. Rangers veteran Joc Pederson, on a rehab assignment, lined an RBI single to score Tucker Mitchell, and Cam Cauley followed with a run-scoring single of his own to stake Frisco to a 2-0 advantage.

Cauley wasn’t finished. After Wichita took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the seventh, the Riders shortstop answered in the top of the eighth with a clutch, two-out, two-run homer—his third of the season—to push Frisco back in front 4-3.

Late-Inning Collapse

The game unraveled quickly in the bottom of the eighth. RoughRiders reliever Travis MacGregor (0-3) couldn’t escape trouble as Kala’i Rosario ripped a game-tying double before Nate Baez put Wichita ahead with a fielder’s choice RBI. Ben Ross added an insurance run with a scorching RBI double down the line, stretching the lead to 6-4.

Frisco didn’t go quietly in the ninth. Josh Hatcher laced a two-out RBI single to cut the deficit to one, but Wind Surge reliever Cole Percival buckled down and induced a game-ending groundout with the tying run on base, sealing the 6-5 decision.

Wichita’s Kade Bragg (1-0) earned the win despite surrendering Cauley’s homer in the eighth.

Notes to Know:

Lopez’s 10 strikeouts were a season high at any level. He became just the fourth RoughRiders pitcher this year to record double-digit Ks in a game.
Joc Pederson, in his first action with Frisco on rehab from a hamstring injury, went 2-for-3 with a walk and scored a run.
The RoughRiders bullpen has now allowed 11 runs over the last four games, a troubling trend as the team enters the weekend stretch of the series.

Up Next

Frisco and Wichita continue their battle on Friday night at Equity Bank Park. The Riders will send right-hander David Davalillo (1-1, 1.50 ERA) to the mound, one of the most consistent arms in the rotation since early July. Wichita will counter with John Klein (6-5, 3.52 ERA), who has pitched well at home this season.

First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. CT, and fans can listen live on the H-E-B Riders Baseball Network by visiting RidersBaseball.com/Broadcast.

For tickets and more information on the RoughRiders, head to RidersBaseball.com.