STWF Sports | MIDLAND, Texas | May 13, 2026 — The Frisco RoughRiders received exactly the type of pitching performance they desperately needed Wednesday night.

Behind a career-best outing from left-hander Blake Townsend, the RoughRiders blanked the Midland RockHounds 3-0 at Momentum Bank Ballpark to even the six-game series at one game apiece.

After surrendering four home runs during Tuesday’s 9-7 series-opening loss, Frisco responded with one of its cleanest all-around performances of the season.

Townsend led the way with the longest start by a RoughRiders pitcher this year, working 7.1 shutout innings while allowing only four hits — all singles — and striking out five batters.

The outing marked a major breakthrough for the 24-year-old left-hander.

Not only did Townsend earn his first victory of the season, improving to 1-2 overall, but he also shattered his previous professional career high for innings pitched in a game.

His 7.1 innings of work made him just the second Frisco starting pitcher since 2018 to record an out in the eighth inning, joining former RoughRider Nick Krauth, who accomplished the feat during the 2023 season.

Townsend established control immediately.

He faced the minimum during the opening inning and never allowed Midland’s lineup to settle into any consistent rhythm throughout the night. Over the next six innings, Townsend faced only two batters above the minimum while consistently working ahead in counts and generating weak contact.

The RockHounds struggled to square up anything against him.

Midland entered the game averaging over six runs per contest this season and had launched four home runs against Frisco pitching the night before. But Townsend completely neutralized the heart of Midland’s lineup by locating effectively and avoiding the mistakes that proved costly Tuesday.

Frisco’s offense provided just enough support behind the dominant pitching effort.

The RoughRiders broke through in the third inning when newly promoted designated hitter Arturo Disla delivered an RBI single against Midland starter James Gonzalez.

The hit scored Texas League Player of the Week Dylan Dreiling and gave Frisco an early 1-0 lead.

For Disla, the moment represented a memorable start to his Double-A career.

The Dominican-born slugger impressed in his RoughRiders debut, collecting two hits, drawing a walk and driving in a run. Disla singled in both the second and third innings while showing a mature approach at the plate throughout the night.

His immediate production added another encouraging offensive piece for a Frisco lineup already among the most dangerous in the Texas League.

The RoughRiders extended their lead in the seventh inning with two critical insurance runs.

Keith Jones II delivered an RBI double before Corey Joyce followed with a sacrifice fly to push the advantage to 3-0.

Jones quietly turned in one of his strongest games of the season from the bottom of the lineup.

Batting ninth, the infielder reached base three times with a single, double and walk while helping create multiple scoring opportunities for Frisco.

Meanwhile, Joyce continued contributing offensively one night after crushing his first professional grand slam in Tuesday’s opener.

The infielder remains one of the hottest hitters in Double-A baseball since arriving in Frisco earlier this spring.

Townsend appeared poised to finish the game himself after returning to the mound in the eighth inning, but Midland mounted its first real threat after back-to-back singles with one out.

Frisco manager Carlos Cardoza then turned to reliever Wilian Bormie in the game’s biggest moment.

Bormie immediately delivered.

The right-hander induced a clutch double play to escape the eighth inning before stranding the bases loaded in the ninth to complete the shutout and secure his first save of the season.

The bullpen’s late execution preserved Frisco’s second shutout victory of the year and prevented Midland from generating the late comeback momentum seen in Tuesday’s opener.

For the RoughRiders, Wednesday’s victory represented more than simply evening the series.

After several recent losses where strong offensive performances were wasted by pitching struggles, Frisco finally paired timely hitting with dominant mound work.

The club improved to 17-17 overall while continuing to showcase one of the league’s deepest offensive groups alongside signs of improving pitching consistency.

Townsend’s breakout performance may prove especially significant moving forward.

The left-hander entered Wednesday still searching for stability after several inconsistent early-season outings. Instead, he delivered arguably the most important start by a Frisco pitcher this year.

Now, the RoughRiders will look to build momentum Thursday night as they continue the road series against one of the top teams in the Texas League South Division.

RoughRiders Cannot Be Overlooked

If Wednesday’s formula holds — dominant starting pitching combined with opportunistic offense — Frisco may finally be finding the balance necessary to climb back above .500 and make a serious push in the standings.