SPRINGDALE -- Michael O'Neill continued his hot hitting for Frisco Thursday night.
O'Neill had three hits, including a tie-breaking home run, to lead the RoughRiders to a 4-2 victory over Northwest Arkansas before a crowd of 3,530 at Arvest Ballpark. O'Neill went 3 for 4 with a walk after hitting a single and double in previous plate appearances.
His long home run off Grant Gavin to left field in the seventh inning put Frisco ahead 3-2 after the RoughRiders fell behind 2-0 in the second inning. O'Neill was a terror at leadoff after going 4-for-6 with two home runs and a triple in a 7-6 loss to Northwest Arkansas on Wednesday.
Nicky Lopez had a double, single, and a sacrifice fly for the Naturals, who matched the RoughRiders with eight hits. Northwest Arkansas put runners on first and third in the eighth inning but failed to score after Alex Liddi hit into a force play for the third out.
Northwest Arkansas starter Andres Machado went five innings and allowed two runs on four hits. Frisco scored two runs in the fifth with the help of two hits and a walk after Machado worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning.
Northwest Arkansas led 2-0 in the second inning with the help of doubles from Donnie Dewees and Liddi. Dewees scored on a sacrifice fly by Nicky Lopez while Liddi came home on a throwing error by catcher Jose Trevino.
SHORT HOPS
• Former University of Arkansas standout Brett Eibner is technically on the Frisco roster, although he has not made an appearance with the RoughRiders.
Eibner is still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery after he signed as a free agent with the Texas Rangers' organization. Eibner played with the Naturals in 2013 before making his major league debut with the Kansas City Royals in 2016.
• Alex Liddi barely missed a home run when his fly ball hit off the top of the padding in left field in the second inning. Liddi settled for a double and eventually scored after a throwing error by Trevino on a pick-off attempt at second base.
• Andres Machado walked four and was called for two balks in five innings of work for the Naturals. The second balk cost him when a runner was awarded third base then scored on a sacrifice fly to tie the game, 2-2.
On Deck: Foster Griffin (2-4, 4.21 ERA) will take the mound tonight against Jesus Luzardo (1-1, 4.13 ERA) for Midland. Griffin allowed three earned runs in six innings during his last start against Springfield on May 20.
Today's Promotion: Fireworks display and music to kick-start three-day holiday weekend. Also, 30 percent off on all mascot merchandise at Naturals team store.
On The Air: KQSM-FM 92.1
On The Web: www.nwanaturals.com
Rick Fires can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWARick.
Sports on 05/25/2018