Riders erase early three-run deficit, defeat Drillers 9-3

FRISCO, Texas (July 25, 2024) – The Frisco RoughRiders defeated the Tulsa Drillers 9-3 on Thursday evening from Riders Field.

Box Score

Tulsa (12-11, 46-46) started the scoring in the top of the first inning, tagging Frisco (15-9, 59-34) starter and big league rehabber Tyler Mahle for three runs on three hits. Damon Keith produced the game’s first run with an RBI double, plating Taylor Young. The Drillers added a pair of runs on an RBI double from Brendon Davis.

The RoughRiders responded in the bottom of the first inning when Cody Freeman doubled, plating Josh Hatcher to cut the deficit to 3-1.

Frainyer Chavez tied the game in the bottom of the second with a two-run single to left, scoring Aaron Zavala and Keyber Rodriguez.

In the bottom of the third inning, Jerming Rosario (2-2) walked the bases loaded allowing the Riders to add three runs on no hits. Frisco snagged their first lead of the evening on a balk that pushed Hatcher across home plate. Zavala added to the lead with an RBI groundout before Rodriguez delivered a sacrifice fly, giving the Riders a 7-3 lead.

Mahle finished with a final line of 4.0 innings while allowing three runs on three hits and a walk with three punchouts.

Bryan Chi (2-0) took the mound in relief of Mahle in the fifth, turning in a season-high 4.0 innings of scoreless baseball with a career-high-tying seven strikeouts.

Frisco tacked on to the lead in the sixth on an RBI single from Daniel Mateo, plating Rodriguez.

Leading 8-3 in the bottom of the seventh, Freeman clubbed his second solo homer in as many games to add to the Riders advantage.

Seth Clark worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning that featured a strikeout, sealing the 9-3 win for Frisco.

The RoughRiders offense saw two-hit nights from Freeman, Rodriguez, Chavez and Mateo. Freeman reached in all four plate appearances with two walks, a double and a homer.

The RoughRiders continue a six-game homestand against the Tulsa Drillers (Los Angeles Dodgers) at 7:05 p.m. on Friday, July 25th. The Riders will turn to RHP Kumar Rocker (0-0, -.--) against RHP Chris Campos (1-1, 3.80) for the Drillers.

Join the RoughRiders as we honor the men and women who have served or are currently serving our country on Friday. Head to the outfield after the game for a patriotic postgame fireworks show presented by Primrose Schools!

Ticket offer: Grab a ticket and a Riders Military hat for $25 here.

For tickets and more information about the Frisco RoughRiders, visit RidersBaseball.com or call 972.731.9200.

About the RoughRiders

The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and the 2022 Texas League champions. In 2023, the team celebrated its 20th anniversary and has consistently finished in the top five among all Double-A franchises in attendance yearly. In August 2014, the RoughRiders were purchased by an ownership group led by Chuck Greenberg. Since then, the new ownership group, together with the City of Frisco, has spearheaded numerous major franchise enhancements, investing over $8 million in a wide array of facility upgrades and improvements, including a state-of-the-art HD video board, sound system, Bull Moose Saloon, Bullpen Bar, Riders Outpost Team Store and the world's largest water feature in a sports facility, the massive Lazy River. These enhancements earned the Riders and the City of Frisco Ballpark Digest's prestigious "Best Ballpark Renovation" award for two consecutive years (2015 and 2016). More than 200 former RoughRiders players have gone on to play Major League Baseball including current Rangers Josh Jung, Evan Carter and Leody Taveras. For more information on the Frisco RoughRiders, please visit RidersBaseball.com or contact [email protected].