STWF Sports | FRISCO, Texas | June 2, 2026  — The Frisco RoughRiders brought the tying run into scoring position and the winning run to first base Tuesday afternoon, but their late comeback attempt came up just short.

Frisco fell 7-6 to the Springfield Cardinals in the opener of a six-game series at Riders Field, scoring three runs in the ninth inning before stranding two runners in a one-run loss. The defeat dropped the RoughRiders to 26-24, while Springfield improved to 24-27.

The day carried extra buzz before first pitch with Texas Rangers stars Corey Seager and Wyatt Langford beginning rehab assignments with Frisco. Both made an immediate impact in the early innings, giving RoughRiders fans a major league glimpse in the middle of a tight Texas League matchup.

Frisco starter Aidan Curry opened the game in strong form. The right-hander worked three scoreless innings to begin his outing, keeping Springfield quiet while the RoughRiders searched for the first breakthrough.

That came in the bottom of the third inning.

Seager, playing in his first rehab game, singled to help spark the inning. Langford followed by reaching on a walk, and the RoughRiders kept the pressure on with two outs. Four straight Frisco hitters reached base, and Dylan Dreiling drew an RBI walk to force in the game’s first run and give the Riders a 1-0 lead.

The advantage did not last long.

Springfield answered in the top of the fourth, scoring twice to move in front 2-1. Frisco responded immediately in the bottom half when Frainyer Chavez ripped a ground-rule double, tying the game at 2-2 and continuing his strong recent stretch at the plate.

The fifth inning proved to be the turning point.

The Cardinals got back to Curry and pushed across four runs, creating a 6-2 lead and shifting control of the game. Curry, who had started the day with three clean frames, took the loss and fell to 0-1.

Frisco trimmed the deficit later with a run against Darlin Saladin, but the RoughRiders still entered the ninth trailing 7-3 and needing a major rally.

They nearly found one.

The Riders loaded the bases with nobody out, immediately putting pressure on the Springfield bullpen. Theo Hardy delivered an RBI single, and Dreiling followed with another run-scoring single to pull Frisco within 7-6. With the crowd back in the game and the Cardinals suddenly on their heels, the RoughRiders had a chance to complete the comeback.

Springfield escaped.

Frisco stranded two runners on base, ending the threat and allowing the Cardinals to hold on for the series-opening win.

Although the final result was frustrating, several individual performances stood out for the RoughRiders.

Seager played three innings in his rehab debut and finished 1-for-2, giving Frisco fans a brief but meaningful look at the two-time World Series MVP. Langford stayed in the game for seven innings and reached base three times with a single and two walks, showing strong plate discipline as he continues his return from a right forearm strain.

Chavez was one of Frisco’s most productive bats, going 3-for-4 with a walk from the leadoff spot. It marked his third multi-hit performance in the last five games, continuing a strong offensive stretch for the infielder.

Dreiling also delivered in key spots, driving in runs with a third-inning walk and ninth-inning single. His ability to extend at-bats and produce late helped keep Frisco alive until the final moments.

The RoughRiders’ bullpen gave the offense a chance to climb back. Jonathan Brand, Eric Loomis, Austin Robert and Janser Lara combined to allow just one run over 4.2 innings while striking out 10. That relief effort kept Springfield from pulling away and set the stage for Frisco’s ninth-inning push.

For the RoughRiders, Tuesday’s loss was a reminder of how narrow the margin can be in a long series. Frisco showed fight late, received production from its rehab stars and got strong bullpen work, but the four-run fifth inning proved too costly to overcome.

The Riders will try to even the series Wednesday night at Riders Field. Left-hander Blake Townsend, who enters at 2-2 with a 4.19 ERA, is scheduled to start for Frisco against Springfield left-hander Mason Molina, who comes in at 1-2 with a 3.18 ERA.

First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. CT on Wine Wednesday presented by Landon Wineries.