Cam Cauley’s 2 HRs Not Enough as Missions Walk Off RoughRiders

With a postseason berth on the line, the Frisco RoughRiders got the help they needed from the Drillers when the Tulsa Drillers topped the Midland RockHounds.

A win Saturday night and Sunday would have crowned Frisco the Texas League South Division’s first-half champs. But the San Antonio Missions had other plans, walking off the RoughRiders 3-2 in a gut-wrenching finish at Nelson Wolff Stadium.

If the Missions win tonight - they take the first-half title. If the RoughRiders win - the Midland RockHounds take the first half title since they have a better record (7-5) against the Missions.

Bratt’s Brilliance on the Mound

LHP Mitch Bratt kept Frisco in the fight, carving up the Missions with a stellar outing. His line: 5 IP, 1 R, 7 H, 9 SO, 89 pitches (65 strikes), and 16 swinging misses. Bratt’s command was pinpoint, continuing his season-long stinginess with walks: 4 in April, 3 in May, and 2 in June, totaling 9 walks with a 2.15 ERA on the season. He’s gone at least 5 innings in 10 of his 12 starts.

Bullpen Battles but Falls Short

The RoughRiders’ bullpen faced pressure late. RHP Travis MacGregor tossed 1.2 IP, allowing 1 R on 2 H with 2 BB and 3 SO. RHP Gavin Collyer (3.27 ERA) worked 1.1 IP, giving up 1 BB with 1 SO. RHP Skylar Hales (5.87 ERA) was tagged with the loss. He recorded one out, surrendering 1 R on 1 H with 1 BB.

Cauley’s Heroics Not Enough

Cam Cauley was a one-man wrecking crew for Frisco, launching two homers—his 5th and 6th of the season—and making a run-saving catch to keep the RoughRiders in the game. Cauley finished 3-for-4 with 2 HR and 2 RBI. But the Missions’ late rally stole the spotlight.

Playoff Hopes Shift to Second Half

Frisco must now dominate the second half to earn a playoff berth. The RoughRiders face San Antonio in their final first-half game Sunday, aiming to build momentum for the road ahead.

Rangers Farm System Roundup

Across the Texas Rangers’ affiliates, prospects and veterans left their mark:

• Round Rock Express (34-40): Fell 4-3 to the Oklahoma City Comets. LHP Michael Plassmeyer pitched 4.1 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 4 H, 2 BB, 4 SO, 77 pitches (49 strikes). RHP Luis Curvelo took his first loss, allowing no earned runs. RHP Ryan Gracia tossed 2.1 scoreless innings, 1 BB, 4 SO, lowering his ERA to 9.85. Dustin Harris and Cody Freeman each went 2-for-something. Blaine Crim’s 2-run single and Kellen Strahm’s sac fly gave the Express a 3-0 lead, but Chuckie Robinson’s 2-run HR in the 4th sparked the Comets’ comeback.
• Hub City Spartanburgers (31-36): Dropped 7-1 to the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Keith Jones II smashed his 10th HR, his second in as many games, finishing 2-for-4. Quincy Scott (2-for-4) was the only other Spartanburger with multiple hits. Dylan Dreiling and Gleider Figuereo each had a hit. LHP Mason Molina, in his High-A debut, pitched 4 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 4 SO, HBP, 73 pitches (48 strikes). RHP Josh Mollerus (6-2, 2.57 ERA) took the loss: 2 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 1 H, 1 BB, 1 SO. Four errors led to 2 unearned runs.
• Hickory Crawdads (35-32): Beat the Delmarva Shorebirds 6-4. Hector Osorio went 1-for-3 with his 3rd HR. Maxton Martin was 2-for-3 with 2 BB and 3 runs. Esteban Mejia went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI and his 3rd SB. RHP Caden Scarborough pitched 3 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 4 SO, 40 pitches (30 strikes). RHP Thomas Ireland earned the win: 5 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 SO, 61 pitches (42 strikes). RHP Jesus Gamez (0.82 ERA) secured the save, striking out 2 in his inning.
• ACL Rangers (21-15): Won 3-2 in 10 innings over the ACL Mariners. Paulino Santana’s double in the 10th scored the winning run. Williams Wong tied the game with a 9th-inning RBI single, finishing 1-for-4. DH Malcolm Moore went 0-for-3 with 2 walks, 1 SB, and 1 run. Rashawn Pinder led with 2-for-4. Eight pitchers combined for 14 SO, with RHP Jesus Lafalaise earning the win: 0.1 IP, 1 SO.
• DSL Rangers Blue (3-11): Lost 7-5 to the Pirates Gold. RHP Frederik Dolsi (4.91 ERA) took the loss: 3 IP, 4 R, 3 H, 5 BB, 3 SO. RHP Luis Garcia (5.06 ERA) struck out 8 in 3 IP, allowing 1 R on 2 H and 2 BB. Jayln Pinder, Carlos Torres, and Alex Rodriguez each had 2 hits. Abel Valdes drove in a run with an 8th-inning RBI single. David Ortiz Jr (.125) went 0-for-3 with a walk, still seeking his first RBI.
• DSL Rangers Red (10-4): Topped the Yankees (5-9) 14-7 with 14 runs on 14 hits. C Francisco Perez hit a HR, going 2-for-4 with a walk and 2 runs. Elorky Rodriguez (.352) went 2-for-5 with 2 RBI and a run. Daniel Rodriguez (.368) went 0-for-5 with 1 walk and 2 runs. John Simon and Oliver Guerrero each went 3-for-5 with an RBI and 2 runs. Ruben Tiamo, 16, went 2-for-5 with 3 RBI. RHP Gilberto Lopez earned the win: 5 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 8 SO.