Schwindel powers Naturals past Missions

NATURALS 7, MISSIONS 5

SPRINGDALE — Frank Schwindel was double trouble for Bryce Morrow on Wednesday night.

Schwindel hit consecutive home runs off the righthander to lead Northwest Arkansas to a 7-5 victory over San Antonio at Arvest Ballpark. A crowd of 2,315 watched as Schwindel hit home runs in the fourth and sixth innings for the Naturals (25-26), who won their fourth consecutive.

Reliever Yender Carmona got the final two outs after San Antonio (16-35) scored three in the ninth inning.

Schwindel put Northwest Arkansas ahead 3-2 in the fourth with a home run that barely cleared the fence in left field. He then cleared the fence easily in the sixth with his ninth home run to put the Naturals ahead 4-2.

“(Schwindel) hit 20 home runs a couple of years ago, so he’s got a lot of power,” Northwest Arkansas manager Vance Wilson said. “A lot of times he’ll chase. But he waited for his pitch tonight and got it.”

Left-hander Eric Skoglund went six innings to earn the victory for Northwest

Arkansas, which outhit the Missions 13-10.

Morrow was trying for his second win over the Naturals after beginning the season with six consecutive losses. He mostly settled down after allowing two runs on three hits in the first inning. But he was twice victimized by Schwindel after he allowed three hits and one run in six innings against the Naturals on May 26.

Ryan O’Hearn had a tworun double for Northwest Arkansas in the first inning after Carlos Garcia and Corey Toups each reached on single. Toups had a double in the seventh inning and scored on a wild pitch to pad the Naturals’ lead to 5-2.

SHORT HOPS

Former Arkansas Razorback and Northwest Arkansas Naturals outfielder Brett Eibner was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left ankle by the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. Eibner was batting .462 in four games since being call up from Triple-A Omaha by the Royals.

Eibner will be eligible to be reinstated June 16.

Carlos Diaz slapped a single to left in the second inning but was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double. Diaz made his first start at shortstop for the Naturals after playing in six games at Triple-A Omaha, where he hit .133.

On Deck: The series continues at 4: 05 p. m. today with right-hander Alec Mills (1-2, 2.33 ERA) going for the Naturals. San Antonio has not yet named a starter.

Promotions: None listed for Thursday.

On The Air: KQSM-FM 92.1