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'Riders bats blazing in first road win

Frisco spoils Naturals' home debut with four home runs
By Chris Vosters
April 11, 2014

SPRINGDALE, ARK. (APRIL 10, 2014) - Playing away from the friendly confines of Dr Pepper Ballpark for the first time this season, the Frisco RoughRiders smashed their way to an 11-7 victory over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Thursday night in a high-scoring affair at Arvest Ballpark. The RoughRiders cashed in on four two-run home runs over a five-inning span to even the season series with the Naturals at two games apiece.

Frisco (3-4) had scored 13 runs through the first six games of the season and hoped a change of scenery combined with warmer temperatures would supply a jolt to an offense in hibernation. The questions at the plate were answered, but despite gaudy numbers, the RoughRiders still experienced some turbulence along the way.

Frisco starting pitcher Luke Jackson made his second start of the season against Northwest Arkansas (2-5). The righty shut out the Naturals through five innings on April 4 and looked to keep his scoreless streak intact, but the opposition never received the memo.

After Northwest Arkansas' Lane Adams drew a walk to start the home half of the first, Whit Merrifield opened the scoring with an RBI double to deep right field. Jorge Bonifacio, who failed to register a hit against the 'Riders in the first series of the season, singled home Merrifield in the ensuing at bat and put Northwest Arkansas up 2-0.

The Naturals tagged Jackson for two more runs before the frame ended. Jared Schlehuber sacrificed Bonifacio home on a fly ball to left field. Later, Cheslor Cuthbert scored from third base on a fielding error by Frisco center fielder Jake Skole. Jackson faced eight batters in the first inning and the 'Riders trailed 4-0.

Frisco's bats came to life in the third inning. Smolinski picked up his first two RBI of the season with a two-out single to center field off Naturals starter Tim Melville. Smolinski did not remain on first base for long. Drew Robinson belted what would be the first of many RoughRiders' long balls on the evening, and a new ballgame commenced with the score tied at four.

With the crowd on their side for the first time in 2014, the Naturals fired right back in the next half inning when Schlehuber went deep off Jackson to break the tie with a solo home run.

Jackson struggled with his command in the fourth inning. The normally sure-handed Jackson tossed three wild pitches in the frame, the last of which scored Angel Franco and put Northwest Arkansas ahead 6-4. When the Naturals cushioned their lead by three runs on an Adams RBI single, Jackson's night was through after seven hits and seven runs allowed over 3.1 innings.

The deficit once again did not disrupt Frisco's rhythm at the plate. Jordan Brown found his swing against Angel Baez and took the Naturals reliever deep for a two-run home run in the top of the fifth.

Ryan Rua put the 'Riders on top for good one inning later when he lifted a 1-0 offering from Baez over the fence in right-center field. Trever Adams also scored on Rua's first home run of the season to push Frisco in front 8-7.

It took the RoughRiders six innings to grab their first lead of the game and they added to the margin in the seventh. With Robinson on second, Adams joined the fun with the fourth two-run home run of the night for Frisco. The blast gave the 'Riders an 11-7 lead after Robinson doubled in his third run of the game earlier in the inning.

A combined effort from righties Phil Klein, Matt West, and Wilmer Font ensured the victory. The trio held the Naturals scoreless over the final 5.2 innings of play and allowed just one hit and struck out six. Klein (1-0) earned his first win of the season, while Baez (0-2) took the loss. Font did not receive the save because the 'Riders led by more than three runs entering the ninth.

Frisco put eight different men on base in the game and had eight different run-scorers in a performance as loud as the postgame fireworks. With the win, the team has won back-to-back games for the first time this season. The 'Riders will try and secure their first series win of the season against Northwest Arkansas on Friday at 7:05 p.m. Coverage begins live on www.ridersbaseball.com at 6:40 p.m. The RoughRiders next play at Dr Pepper Ballpark on Thursday, April 17 at 7:05 p.m. against Corpus Christi. For tickets to see the 'Riders in 2014, call 972-731-9200, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.ridersbaseball.com.

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