Naturals Crush RoughRiders in Series Finale
April 21, 2015 - Texas League (TL1)
Frisco RoughRiders News Release
SPRINGDALE, ARKANSAS (April 21, 2015) - It's hard to remember, but things started seemingly well for the Frisco RoughRiders. A team searching for consistency on offense matched its hit total (2) from their previous twelve offensive innings and scored a run in the first inning. Unfortunately, what followed was nothing short of a disaster. A pair of errors in the bottom of the first and the ongoing offensive clinic from Jorge Bonafacio helped the Naturals take game three 8-4 to win the series.
RoughRiders starter Andrew Faulkner (1-1) needed 80 pitches against the 19 batters he faced in 2.2 innings pitched. Faulkner allowed runs in each inning for a total of eight, however only four were earned. Back-to-back errors in the first inning opened the floodgates for the Naturals. Bonfacio reached when Riders first baseman Royce Bolinger failed to haul in an infield popup and Balbino Fuenmayor loaded the bases on what looked like a tailor-made double play only for the ball to bounce out of shortstop Luis Mendez's glove.
The Naturals (6-6) capitalized with a pair of two-run hits from Alex Liddy and Dusty Coleman. With a 4-1 lead to end the first, the Naturals weren't finished. Bonifacio launched his Texas League leading fourth home run of the second to make it 6-1. In the third inning, Faulkner allowed two more runs on three hits and manager Joe Mikulik pulled the plug with two outs down 8-1 and inserted Jesus Pirela.
Entering Tuesday's game, Naturals starter Glenn Sparkman was winless in two starts having allowed seven hits and five earned runs in eight innings. But Sparkman rebounded on Tuesday, earning the win allowing two runs over six innings of work. After allowing leadoff hits to Chris Garia and Mendez, the Riders managed just one additional hit of the right-hander.
Jorge Bonafacio was the star of the series for the Naturals. In six games against the Riders this season, Bonifacio is hitting .292 (7-for-24) with two home runs, six runs scored and six RBI.
There were a few positives for the Riders despite the loss. Relief pitcher Jesus Pirela struck out seven and did not walk any in 3.1 scoreless innings. Also, in the ninth inning, Nick Williams and Drew Robinson hit solo home runs.
The Riders have lost two straight and are now 5-2 in games in which they score first. The team committed a season high three errors on Tuesday. With the win, the Naturals evened the season series at three apiece. The two teams won't see each other until July 2-4 at Dr Pepper Ballpark.
The Riders return home to the friendly confines at Dr Pepper Ballpark on Thursday for a four game set with the Corpus Christi Hooks (Double-A, Houston Astros). The game marks the second "Thirsty Thursday" of the season. From 6-8 p.m. fans can enjoy $1 domestic draft beers, $2 import beers, and $1 Dr Pepper products. For tickets to see the Riders in 2015, call 972-731-9200, e-mail info@RidersBaseball.com or visit www.RidersBaseball.com.
Texas League Stories from April 21, 2015
- Cardinals Outlast Missions, 3-2, in 10 Innings - Springfield Cardinals
- Missions Fall in Extras to Cards in Homestand Finale - San Antonio Missions
- Hooks Top Drillers, Urias - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Crush RoughRiders in Series Finale - Frisco RoughRiders
- Naturals Strike Early in Series Finale Win against Frisco - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- A 16-3 Tie - Midland RockHounds
- Anderson, Hoenecke Twist Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Missions Edge Cardinals with 4-3 Walk-Off Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Prospects Fuel Naturals to Shutout Victory over Frisco - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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