Frisco deals Naturals 7-5 loss
May 30, 2009 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGDALE, AR- The Frisco RoughRiders dealt the Northwest Arkansas Naturals their fifth loss in a row with a 7-5 victory on Saturday evening. Guilder Rodriguez knocked his first professional home run and brought in three runs to lead the RoughRiders offense. Former Arkansas Razorback Craig Gentry enjoyed his night at Arvest Ballpark; Gentry scored two runs, collected two hits, and stole three bases. Michael Kirkman picked up the win for Frisco.
Dan Cortes (2-5) struggled with his control during his 5.0 innings of work while getting stuck with the loss. He allowed five hits, three earned runs, and issued four walks before exiting the game. Cortes did strike out three batters, increasing his team lead to 36.
Northwest Arkansas (22-25) struck first when Corey Smith homered off Michael Kirkman to begin the second inning and lead 1-0. Smith's seventh home run is now tied with Brian McFall for the team lead. This marks the third game in a row where the Naturals jumped out to an early lead but were unable to hang on for the victory.
Frisco (24-22) responded with two runs of their own to begin the third inning. Marcus Lemon put the Riders on top 2-1 with a two out single that scored Guilder Rodriguez and Craig Gentry. Gentry stole three bases on the night to increase his stolen base total to 15. Gentry is 15 for 15 in stolen base attempts this season.
The Naturals would tie things at 2-2 after Cody Strait reached on a double off the right field wall. Strait then stole third and came in to score after a Manny Pina throw sailed into left field. On the night Strait was 3-4 with a pair of doubles and two stolen bases.
Frisco would score the next four runs to increase their lead to 6-2. Guilder Rodriguez provided the highlight when he blasted a three run home run off of Gilbert De La Vara, who was in to replace Cortes. For Rodriguez that was his first home run in over 1,700 at bats as a professional baseball player.
The Naturals cut the Riders lead to 6-4 after back to back doubles by Cody Clark and Chris McConnell. For Clark that was his first hit of the season. McConnell was 2-4; his third consecutive multi hit game. Clark would pick up his first RBI of the season when he plated Strait to cut the Frisco lead to 6-5 in the eighth.
The Riders would add one run during the ninth frame before Jose Diaz picked up his seventh save of the season.
Michael Kirkman (1-0) earned the win after throwing 5.0 innings while allowing two earned runs and striking out five.
Game two of this three game series will feature Anthony Lerew (334, 5.20 ERA) against Michael Schlact (0-1, 8.10 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 2:35 pm on Sunday afternoon.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale. The Naturals have a toll-free ticket hotline (1-877-444-2637) for fans to purchase Naturals tickets. Our website, nwanaturals.com offers fans the opportunity to purchase tickets online and avoid lines at the ticket windows by printing their tickets at home or at the office.
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Texas League Stories from May 30, 2009
- 7-Run Lead Not Enough For Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Norrick Saves the Day in 5-4 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Win Streak Stops Saturday In SA - San Antonio Missions
- Frisco deals Naturals 7-5 loss - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Better Latos than Never - San Antonio Missions
- Naturals meet RoughRiders for first time in 09 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Missions Add INF Lance Zawadzki, LHP Scott Rice; INF Brian Joynt to DL - San Antonio Missions
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