Naturals held hitless by Diamond Jaxx
March 20, 2010 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
PEORIA, AZ - Only three runners reached base as a short-handed Naturals squad was no-hit by the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx on Saturday, falling by a 4-0 final. The Diamond Jaxx are the Seattle Mariners' Double-A affiliate in the Southern League.
With the Royals' big league club borrowing several minor leaguers for use in two road split-squad games, the Naturals fielded a lineup which included several hitters who have yet to play in Class-A ball. Outfielders Derrick Robinson, Jose Duarte, Paulo Orlando, and Tim Smith along with infielder Chris McConnell were amongst the players missing from the lineup. Mike Moustakas, expected to man third base for the Naturals, also remains sidelined by a strained right oblique.
The Naturals' best opportunity against West Tennessee came in the first inning. Lane Adams, who played last season for the Royals' rookie-level club in Surprise, led off with a walk and then stole second. After Johnny Giavotella struck out, Clint Robinson was hit by a pitch. The offense could not come through as the next two batters were retired without a run coming home. The only other time the Naturals had a man on base was in the third inning when Chanse Cooper was hit by a pitch.
The Diamond Jaxx pitching staff breezed through the inexperienced Northwest Arkansas lineup as they struck out seven batters and faced two batters over the minimum.
West Tennessee's offense did most of their damage early in the game. Denny Almonte led off the game, and was able to reach base on an error by Giavotella. Terry Serrano was then walked putting two men on base with no outs. Later in the inning with two outs, Carlos Peguero was walked before Kuo Hui Lo hit a two run single. The runs put the Diamond Jaxx up 2-0. The Jaxx added one more run in the third and another in the eighth inning.
Gilbert De La Vara started the game for the Naturals and went three innings, and gave up three runs, two of which were unearned. Sugar Ray Marimon and John Bannister combined for four shutout innings of relief. Barry Bowden came on for the eighth and gave up two hits and one earned run.
The Naturals, who are now 1-2 on the spring, take on the San Antonio Missions in Surprise on Sunday. Game time is at 1 P.M. local time (3 P.M. CDT).
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. You can purchase season tickets and group outings with the Naturals by calling (479) 927-4900.
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