TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Naturals skid hits five as Frisco sweeps

Published on June 3, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, AR - Frisco's Michael Bianucci drove in a career-high six runs as his RoughRiders pelted the Naturals by an 18-5 final Friday night at Arvest Ballpark, completing a three-game sweep of Northwest Arkansas and sending the Naturals to their fifth straight loss.

It was the first time the Naturals (24-24) had been swept at home since the Midland RockHounds completed a three-game sweep of a series on May 27th-29th, 2009. The losing streak is the Naturals' longest since a seven-game slide in August of the same season. For the ‘Riders, it was their highest run total in almost two years.

Frisco (29-24) scored in seven different innings and every one of their starters recorded a hit as they jumped out to a four-run advantage in the first inning. Jonathan Greene's two-run triple was the big hit in that inning. Elio Sarmiento went yard to lead off the second frame. Frisco tacked on three more in the fourth, capped off by a two-run single from Mike Bianucci.

All of those first eight runs were charged to struggling Naturals' southpaw Edgar Osuna (4-2), who despite his winning record on the season saw his ERA balloon to 8.69. While he threw 50 of his 77 pitches for strikes, he uncorked five wild pitches during his outing which didn't help his cause.

Manauris Baez relieved Osuna for the fifth and allowed Bianucci's three-run double as part of a five-run fifth and a two-run single to Guilder Rodriguez in the sixth. Greene got involved again in the seventh on a solo shot, his sixth homer of the year. Like Osuna, Baez was charged with eight runs in 2 2/3 innings of work in his second appearance with the Naturals.

Bianucci drove in his sixth run of the game on a single in the ninth and Tommy Mendonca's sacrifice fly to center later in that frame marked the end of Frisco's offensive exploits.

Frisco starter Carlos Pimentel (2-3) matched a career-high with seven innings of work. He allowed two runs on three hits. Bats for the Naturals were quiet at the start of the game as Pimentel set down the first six in order until Kurt Mertins led off the third with a double and came in on a groundout by Nick Van Stratten.

Tim Smith chipped in an RBI single in the sixth off Pimentel, but the best offense shown by the Naturals on the night came in the eighth when Anthony Seratelli hit a three-run homer, his fifth on the season.

Northwest Arkansas begins the second leg of this homestand on Saturday as they welcome the Midland RockHounds to Arvest Ballpark for the first of a three-game series. Left-hander Chris Dwyer(1-4, 6.14) will take the mound against Midland's Shawn Haviland (2-4, 6.79). The game is set to get underway at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast live on NewsTalk 1030 KFAY.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from June 3, 2011


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