SPRINGDALE, AR – Jorge Alfaro and Justin Johnson homered in the Northwest Arkansas Naturals’ (24-33, 53-71) 7-6 loss to the Frisco RoughRiders (28-29, 67-58) on Sunday afternoon at Arvest Ballpark. The Naturals split the series and they begin a six-game set in North Little Rock, Arkansas, against the Travelers on Tuesday at 6:35 PM CT.
Northwest Arkansas got the scoring started in the second inning on a Justin Johnson solo shot. Johnson crushed a 434-foot long ball to center field for his 11th homer of the year and his eighth of August.
After Frisco tied the game in the top of the third, the Naturals took the lead back in the bottom half. Spencer Nivens knocked in Hyungchan Um and Sam Kulasingam with a double to give NWA a 3-1 advantage. Nivens came into the game leading the Texas League with 11 two-baggers, and he connected on his 12th to put his team in front.
The RoughRiders plated three in the fifth, and the Nats returned the favor with three of their own in the home half. Jorge Alfaro hit a three-run shot to right-center field and gave the Naturals a 6-4 lead with his 14th blast of the year.
Frisco scored three runs over the final four innings. The Naturals got a baserunner in the ninth, but failed to score and fell 7-6 in the series finale to split the set.
Northwest Arkansas hits the road to start a six-game series against the Arkansas Travelers on Tuesday, with first pitch at 6:35 PM CT. Fans can follow along by listening to the radio call with the "Voice of the Naturals", Shawn Murnin, all season long on the MiLB app and NWANaturals.com.