Northwest Arkansas splits a doubleheader

It was a good news, bad news day for Class AA Northwest Arkansas on Friday.

The Naturals split a doubleheader at Frisco, winning the opener 3-1 but losing the nightcap 4-2.

The first game was scoreless until the seventh inning when Angel Franco led off with a double. Parker Morin sacrificed Franco to third and Justin Trapp singled to give the Naturals a 1-0 lead.

Trapp moved to second after a fly out and scored on Whit Merrifield’s infield single. Merrifield moved to third on an error and scored on a wild pitch.

Frisco got a run in its half of the seventh off Scott Alexander. Starter Andy Ferguson allowed just one hit in 3 2/3 innings. He walked two. Andrew Triggs gave up two hits in 2 1/3 innings.

Tim Melville threw four scoreless innings in the second game and departed with a 2-0 lead thanks to RBIs from Mark Threlkeld and Juan Graterol.

However, Noel Arguelles came on after Melville and gave up two hits, walked two and made an errant pickoff throw. All four base runners scored and he got just one out.

OTHER GAMES

**Class A-Advanced Wilmington pounded out 14 hits, including eight for extra bases, and crushed Winston-Salem 10-3. Right fielder Johermyn Chavez had three hits, including a three-run homer, while designated hitter Zane Evans also had three hits, including two doubles.

Catcher Cam Gallagher also had two doubles, first baseman Cody Stubbs hit a solo home run as part of his two-hit night, and second baseman Jack Lopez also had two hits, including a double. Center fielder Bubba Starling had a double and scored twice.

Jonathan Dziedzic struck out eight in five innings. He allowed two runs on four hits.

**Class A Lexington won a completion of Thursday’s suspended game, beating West Virginia 3-2. Chad Johnson opened the bottom of the ninth with a single, took second after a sacrifice and scored on a base hit by Alfredo Escalera-Maldonado. Cesar Ogando gave up one hit in three scoreless innings and got the victory.

**Johnny Giavotella had two doubles and knocked in a run in Class AAA Omaha’s 4-2 loss at Nashville. Storm Chasers starter Chris Dwyer allowed all four runs (three earned) on four hits in five innings. P.J. Walter threw three scoreless innings of relief.

This story was originally published April 5, 2014 at 12:15 AM with the headline "Northwest Arkansas splits a doubleheader."