Tuesday, July 8, 2014
SPRINGDALE -- One of the top offenses in the Texas League finally got going Monday night as Frisco claimed a 6-1 win over Northwest Arkansas at Arvest Ballpark.
The RoughRiders, who were limited to three runs combined in the last two games, hammered out six extra-base hits, including two homers in the first four innings, to take control early and cruise behind right-hander Alex Gonzales (2-3).
How They Scored
Frisco 6, Northwest Arkansas 1
Frisco^201^200^001^—^6^10^1
NWA^000^010^000^—^1^3^0
Gonzalez, Lotzkar (6), Font (7), Rodebaugh (8), Kela (9) and Tellis; Mellville, Williams (6), Arguilles (8), Baez (9) and Graterol. W-Gonzalez, 2-3. LMelville 1-7-. HRs- Frisco, Robinson (8), Adams (9), Gallo (10).
At A Glance
Texas League Standings
North Division
Team^W-L^GB
Northwest Arkansas^9-9^—
Arkansas^8-10^1.0
Tulsa^7-11^2.0
Springfield^7-11^2.0
Monday’s Scores
Midland 6, Arkansas 3
Corpus Christi 6, Tulsa 5
Northwest Arkansas 6, Frisco 1
Springfield 3, San Antonio 2 (11 innings)
Today’s Games
No games scheduled
Frisco, which ranks second in the Texas League in home runs, hit homers No. 66 and 67 with solo shots by Drew Robinson and Trever Adams in the top of the first.
Naturals manager Vance Wilson said the RoughRiders offense was tough and so was Gonzalez.
"There's a reason why they won the South in the first half," Wilson said. "But I was proud of my guys though. We won the series. Their guy, Gonzalez, we hadn't faced. A little funky movement and the guys were coming back with a little perplexed look on their face. So we'll tip our cap to the pitcher and their offense.
"It would have been nice to sweep, but we won the series."
Joey Gallo, the No. 4 prospect in the Texas Rangers organization according to Baseball America, chipped in with a mammoth solo blast in the top of the ninth, his 10th of the year in AA and 31st this year. He was Frisco's only player with more than one hit, going 2-for-4 with a double and a homer.
The Naturals, who remained in first place in the North Division, left the bases loaded in the seventh as Orlando Calixte flied out to right field on a 3-1 pitch to end the threat.
Northwest Arkansas was limited to three hits, all singles. Gonzalez allowed a run on two hits over 5.1 innings. He struck out five and walked two.
Short Hops
• Kansas City Royals outfielder Nori Aoki started a rehab assignment with the Naturals on Monday. He went 0-for-3 with three groundouts and played the first six innings in right field. Aoki has been sidelined since June 20 with a groin injury.
• Catcher Parker Morin is back in Northwest Arkansas after being out since mid-May with a broken thumb. Morin, who was in the lineup as the designated hitter on Monday, played seven games at Rookie League Idaho Falls before returning to the Naturals on Saturday. He finished 1-for-3 and drove in the Naturals only run with a fifth-inning single.
Extra Bases: Naturals center fielder Lane Adams was given the night off after being hit on the wrist by a pitch on Sunday. ... X-rays on Adams' wrist Monday morning were negative, Wilson said. ... Northwest Arkansas starter Tim Melville allowed five runs on eight hits in five innings of work and dropped to 1-7. ... Catcher Juan Graterol threw out two RoughRiders trying to steal.
Royals Pipeline: Former Naturals slugger Matt Fields went 2-for-4 with two home runs and five RBIs in Omaha's 7-2 win over Colorado Springs on Sunday. Fields, a Texas League All-Star a year ago, is now hitting .278 with 15 homers and 49 RBIs. He is currently tied for fifth in the Pacific Coast League in home runs
On Deck: The Naturals are off today before they begin a four-game road trip at Springfield. They will be back home for four games against Tulsa beginning on Sunday at 6:05 p.m.
On The Air: KQSM-FM 92.1
On The Web: www.nwanaturals.com
Sports on 07/08/2014