STWF Sports | CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas | July 12, 2026 — The Frisco RoughRiders will look to finish their six-game series on a strong note Sunday afternoon when they face the Corpus Christi Hooks at 2:05 p.m. at Whataburger Field.
Texas Rangers left-hander Cody Bradford is expected to make a rehabilitation start for Frisco, his latest step toward returning from left elbow internal brace surgery. Corpus Christi will counter with right-hander Cole Hertzler, who enters the matchup with a 1-0 record and a 1.56 ERA.
Frisco enters the series finale at 9-8 in the second half and 48-37 overall. The Hooks are also 9-8 in the half and sit at 40-46 for the season after claiming a dramatic 11-8 victory Saturday night.
The RoughRiders appeared positioned to take control of the game after overcoming multiple deficits, but Corpus Christi delivered the final blow on Tyler Whitaker’s walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth.
For the fourth time in five games, the Hooks scored during the first inning. Jason Schiavone drove in the opening run with a single before Corpus Christi added two more in the second to build a 3-0 advantage.
Frisco responded behind Malcolm Moore, who delivered an RBI single in the third. Corey Joyce and Keith Jones II followed with solo home runs in the fourth, pulling the RoughRiders even at 3-3.
The Hooks regained control when Cameron Sisneros homered in the fifth and another run crossed in the seventh, stretching the lead to 6-3. Frisco refused to go quietly.
Arturo Disla opened the eighth with a triple before Moore drove him home with a double. Joyce followed with an RBI single, and Frainyer Chavez tied the game with a sacrifice fly.
Disla then produced the biggest swing of the night for Frisco, crushing a two-run homer in the top of the ninth to give the RoughRiders an 8-6 lead. Corpus Christi answered immediately, however, as the first five hitters reached against Joey Danielson. Whitaker ended the game with his grand slam, handing Frisco its second consecutive defeat.
Sunday’s appearance by Bradford gives the finale added significance. The Aledo native has not pitched in the major leagues since 2024 and is continuing his recovery from elbow surgery. Before the injury, he emerged as an important member of the Rangers’ pitching staff, posting a 3.54 ERA over 76.1 innings in 2024 with 70 strikeouts and only 13 walks.
Bradford is also familiar with Frisco. He spent portions of 2021 and all of 2022 with the RoughRiders before reaching the majors in 2023. During Frisco’s 2022 Texas League championship run, he delivered six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts against San Antonio in the Division Series.
The RoughRiders will also try to maintain the offensive production that has defined much of the series. Frisco has hit 23 home runs in 14 games at Whataburger Field this season while averaging 6.1 runs per contest.
Max Wagner remains one of the players to watch. He has hit six home runs in eight games in Corpus Christi, the most by any visiting player at the ballpark this season. No visiting hitter has ever reached seven in a single season at Whataburger Field.
Rafe Perich continues to provide another dangerous presence in the lineup. He is batting .395 in July with four three-hit performances and owns eight home runs since joining Frisco. The RoughRiders are 8-0 when Perich goes deep.
Frisco’s offense ranks among the best in Double-A, sitting second with 771 hits and second in runs with 521. The RoughRiders also lead the Texas League with 156 doubles and have already established a franchise record with 113 home runs.
With the series tied at three games apiece, Sunday’s finale provides Frisco with an opportunity to earn a winning road trip, support Bradford’s return to the mound and regain momentum before moving forward in the second half.
