SPRINGDALE -- Frisco liked its chances against Anderson Miller and chose to pitch to him instead of Alex Liddi.
Northwest Arkansas' left fielder made the RoughRiders pay for their choice Tuesday night when he ripped a tie-breaking two-run single in the eighth inning and propelled the Naturals to a 5-3 victory to start a three-game series at Arvest Ballpark.
"That situation is the one you think about when you're in the backyard growing up," Miller said. "The bases are loaded in a tie game and a late-game situation. All I was trying to do was take a deep breath, see the ball all the way in and not try to do too much."
What he did was complete a four-run rally against Frisco's bullpen after right-hander Pedro Payano limited Northwest Arkansas (22-23) to one run on four hits through seven innings. Corey Toups led off the eighth with a double off left-hander Jeffery Springs (2-1), and he came home on a single by Erick Mejia to pull the Naturals within 3-2.
Nicky Lopez followed with a hit-and-run single to put runners on the corners, then Elier Hernandez tied the game at 3 when he doubled down the right-field line. Frisco (14-30) made another pitching change and went to right-hander Reed Garrett, then the 'Riders chose to intentionally walk Liddi and pitch to Anderson, who worked a 3-2 count before his single to center.
"I was peeking into their dugout and I saw their manager," Anderson said. "The lefty was on there, and I assumed he would do it. They switched to the righty, and if you look at my splits, I hit better off of lefties. That move was interesting.
"It's the chess match of baseball, but I was prepared for it. I was trying to get a good pitch to hit and had to wait to 3-2 to get that pitch."
Anderson's clutch hit allowed reliever Franco Terrero (2-2) to pick up the win after three innings of scoreless relief. Jake Newberry took the mound in the ninth and retired Frisco in order for his seventh save of the season.
Short Hops
• Liddi accounted for Northwest Arkansas' only other run when he belted a long home run into right-center field, his fourth of the season, in the second inning.
• Mejia hit his third double in as many games when he put a shot into the gap in right-center field in the seventh. He hit a double in each game of Sunday's doubleheader in Springfield, and he now has five doubles since May 13.
• Frisco third baseman Juremi Profar lost his bat on one swing and broke that bat on his next trip to the plate. In between those two instances, he belted a long home run over the 'Riders bullpen to lead off the second inning.
On Deck: Frisco and Northwest Arkansas continue their three-game series with a 7:05 p.m. game today. A pair of left-handers will be on the mound, with Emilio Ogando (3-2, 4.98 ERA) starting for the Naturals while the 'Riders will counter with Brett Martin (1-4, 7.71).
Today's Promotion: It's "What's It Wednesday," where fans will have chances to win prizes all game by following along on the Arvest Ballpark scoreboard and by participating in social media contests during the day. It's also $5 Group Night, where groups of 20 or more can purchase advance reserved tickets along the first- and third-base line for $5 per person.
On The Air: KQSM-FM 92.1
On The Web: www.nwanaturals.com.
Preps Basketball on 05/23/2018