TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Naturals Fall in Series Opener against Frisco

Published on April 19, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, Ark. - The Frisco RoughRiders (5-5) defeated the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (4-6) on Sunday afternoon in the first game of the 3-game series. Alex Liddi connected on his first home run of the 2015 season with a 3-run shot in the bottom of the eighth but it would not be enough as the Naturals fell by the score of 7-3.

Trailing 7-0 entering the bottom half of the eighth inning, the Naturals offense started with a leadoff single by Jorge Bonifacio. The next batter, Balbino Fuenmayor was hit by a pitch advancing Bonifacio to second base. After an out, Liddi stepped to the plate with 1 out and connected on a 3-run homer over the right field wall and into the Naturals bullpen to pull the Naturals to within 4. After a 2-out walk by Santiago Nessy, the RoughRiders went to the bullpen and turned to RHP Josh McElwee who got Terrance Gore to pop out to the first baseman to end the inning.

The RoughRiders used the long ball to break the game open early. Luis Mendez hit a 2-out, 3-run home run off Naturals starter J.C. Sulbaran in the top of the second to start the offense for Frisco. After Frisco pushed 2 more runs across in the top of the third, they were held scoreless until the sixth. In the top of the sixth, Jorge Alfaro began the inning with a double and then Jake Skole followed with a 2-run homer off reliever Aroni Nina to push the lead to 7-0.

The Naturals out hit the RoughRiders 8 to 7 on the day with Bonifacio, Fuenmayor, and Liddi all collecting 2 hits in the contest. Terrance Gore added another stolen base in the third inning and now has 3 in the last 2 games.

LHP Victor Payano (1-0, 0.00 ERA) was credited with the victory while Sulbaran (0-2, 5.40 ERA) took the loss.

Northwest Arkansas continues their series against the Frisco RoughRiders (Double-A Texas Rangers) on Monday, April 20th. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:05pm and it is Monday Night Lights presented by Ozarks Electric Cooperative featuring $1 Hot Dogs by Tyson Foods and Indigo Sky Casino Baseball Bingo. The Naturals will send starter RHP Miguel Almonte (0-1, 10.80 ERA) to the mound against RHP Alec Asher (0-0, 4.00 ERA) of the RoughRiders.

You can catch all live play-by-play action with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on your home for the Naturals on KQSM 92.1 The Ticket at 5:50 p.m. Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch.

Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Twitter @nwanaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime for all of our up-to-date information on tickets, groups, promotions, roster, and team information.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark. For more information including statistics, ticket options, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from April 19, 2015


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