TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Naturals bats awake, defeat Cardinals

Published on May 16, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, AR -The Naturals used a balanced attack and took advantage of the short handed Cardinals on their way to an 8-5 victory at Arvest Ballpark. With the win the Naturals and Cardinals split the four game series that wrapped on Saturday night.

After a Tyler Henley solo homer put the Cards up 1-0, the Naturals battled back with two runs of their own. Jeff Howell and Chris McConnell each picked up a two out RBI after a Pete Kozma error allowed Cody Strait to reach. Strait would later score; he currently leads the team with 26 runs scored on the season.

Curt Smith picked up his first Texas League RBI when he plated Daniel Descalso, who singled to begin the inning. Smith, who was just called up from Single-A, ended the night with two hits, one run scored, and one run batted in. Descalso's run would tie the game at 2-2.

Northwest Arkansas (17-18) tacked on two runs to regain the lead at the end of the fourth inning. Ed Lucas and Cody Strait both crossed the plate for the Naturals. Jeff Howell and Joe Dickerson picked up an RBI during the inning; both players finished the game with two runs batted in.

Springfield (19-16) was bit by the injury bug during the bottom of the third inning. Catcher Steven Hill was hit on the hand by a Brandon Dickson errant pitch and would leave the game following the final out. Hill's injury forced two players, Kurt Smith and Jim Rapoport, to make their first ever appearances at third and first base respectively. The Cardinals roster was cut to just 23 players after Brett Wallace was promoted to Triple-A.

The Naturals would add four runs during the fifth and sixth frames to take control of the contest. Ed Lucas knocked his first double of the season to bring home Brian McFall. During the sixth, Joe Dickerson, Corey Smith, and Brian McFall would each bring in a run to extend the Naturals lead to 8-3.

Smith's single during the sixth extended his hit streak to 14 games, which is a new franchise record. The previous record was 13 games which was held by Jose Duarte during the 2008 season.

Blake Wood (2-2) earned the win for the Naturals after battling through an up and down outing. Wood lasted 6.1 innings allowing five earned runs. Victor Marte picked up his team leading third save after finishing off the Cardinals in the ninth.

Brandon Dickson (2-3) took the loss for Springfield as he was touched for five runs and seven hits during 5.0 innings of work. Three of Dickson's runs were unearned thanks to errors by Pete Kozma and Kurt Smith.

The Naturals will take in some rest and relaxation on Sunday, as the team has a scheduled off day. Starting Monday the Naturals will begin a four game series with the Tulsa Drillers; this will be the Drillers first visit to Arvest Ballpark in 2009. Dan Cortes (0-4, 4.81 ERA) will square off against Drillers starter Andy Graham (1-1, 6.46 ERA).

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale. The home opener is Thursday, April 16th against the San Antonio Missions. The Naturals have a toll-free ticket hotline (1-877-444-2637) for fans to purchase Naturals tickets. Our website, nwanaturals.com offers fans the opportunity to purchase tickets online and avoid lines at the ticket windows by printing their tickets at home or at the office.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from May 16, 2009


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