SPRINGDALE -- Northwest Arkansas gave Frisco a lot of help Friday night.
Frisco used three Northwest Arkansas errors to plate two unearned runs as the Roughriders defeated the Naturals 2-1 before 5,847 in Arvest Ballpark. Northwest Arkansas has committed 16 errors in eight games this season.
At A Glance
Texas League Standings
North Division
Team^W-L^GB
Arkansas^6-2^–
Springfield^3-5^3.0
Tulsa^2-5^3.5
Northwest Arkansas^2-6^4.0
Friday’s Scores
Arkansas 2, Midland 1
Tulsa 10, Corpus Christi 9
Frisco 2, Northwest Arkansas 1
Springfield 8, San Antonio 4
Today’s Games
Frisco at Northwest Arkansas, 6:05 p.m.
Springfield at San Antonio, 7:05 p.m.
Midland at Arkansas, 6:10 p.m.
Tulsa at Corpus Christi, 7:10 p.m.
FRISCO 2, NORTHWEST ARKANSAS 1
Frisco^010^000^001^—^2^4^0
Northwest Arkansas^001^000^000^ —^1^7^3
Martinez, Edwards (6), Reyes (8), Mendoza and Cantwell; Selman, Triggs (6), Culver (8) and Graterol. W- Reyes, 1-1. L- Culver, 0-1. HRs- None.
Frisco scored the game winner in the ninth when Jake Skole scored Trever Adams with a one-out sacrifice fly. Adams reached on a one-out error by first baseman Jared Schlehuber and advanced to third on a double by Ryan Rua.
Northwest Arkansas out-hit Frisco 7-4 and singles by Schlehuber and Angel Franco put runners at first and second with one out in the bottom of the ninth. But Juan Graterol hit into a double play as the Naturals (2-6) lost for the fifth-straight time.
"You get to a point at high-level, Double-A baseball, you expect guys to do it the right way," Naturals manager Vance Wilson said. "The work is good, but can you mentally focus, mentally put pressure on yourself make plays? We just haven't done that. We had our chances, but we couldn't get the big hit."
Left-handed pitcher Sam Selman joined the Naturals Friday and drew his first Double-A start after spending last season with Class A-Advanced Wilmington. Selman didn't figure in the decision after giving up two hits while striking out four and walking four. The lone Frisco run scored against Selman was unearned.
Short Hops
w The Naturals tied the game 1-1 in the third when Schlehuber drew a one-out bases loaded walk. But the inning ended when Mark Threlkeld grounded into a double play.
w The Naturals left seven runners and they were 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position.
w The Naturals turned a 9-3 double play in the fourth. Northwest Arkansas right fielder Jorge Bonifacio made a running catch on a line drive by Chris Grayson and he then doubled off Rua at first base after Rua broke for second. Northwest Arkansas then ended the fifth inning with a 4-6-3 double play.
Extra Bases: Right-handed pitcher Sugar Ray Marimon was promoted to Triple-A Omaha to make room for Selman on the Naturals roster. He started Friday's game for the Storm Chasers. ... Bonifacio was 2-for-3 while raising his average to .179.
Royals Pipeline: Wilmington third baseman Hunter Dozier is batting . 207 with three RBI through seven games. Dozier was drafted by the Royals in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2013 draft. Teammate Bubba Starling, the Royals top pick out of high school in 2011 (fifth overall), is batting .107 with one home run and four RBI the first seven games of the season.
On Deck: Naturals RHP Greg Billo (0-0, 3.00 ERA) will get the start today against Frisco. Frisco will send Alec Asher (0-1, 5.79 ERA) to the hill. Billo was drafted out of high school in the 28th round of the 2008 draft. Asher is rated as the No. 11 prospect in the Rangers organization by MLB.com. After tonight's game, Midland will visit Arvest Ballpark beginning Sunday for a three-game series with the Naturals.
Today's Promotion: The first 2,500 fans will receive an Arvest Bank Ballpark calendar. The calendar features photos of promotions, the ballpark, and Naturals players from the 2013 season.
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On The Web: www.nwanaturals.com
Sports on 04/12/2014