Naturals Sweep Roughriders
Published on June 4, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
FRISCO, TX - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals picked up all three or their runs in the ninth inning to finish the sweep of the Frisco RoughRiders, topping them 3-1 on Monday night. The victory coupled with a Tulsa Drillers loss pulls them withing two games of first place in the North Division.
Justin Marks best friend on Monday night was the double-play ball. The Naturals (29-27) turned three double plays behind Marks. The first came in the second inning with no one-out and a runner on first, the second was a strike him out throw him out double-play to end the third, and the last was grounder to third to end the sixth inning.
Marks tied a season high in innings tossing seven shutout frames allowing just hits, while walking two and fanning six. The last time the left-hander went seven shutout innings was May 18 in a win against the Arkansas Travelers.
Justin Grimm got the start for the RoughRiders (33-23)and matched Marks pitch for pitch. Grimm went seven innings allowing just six hits, walking only one and striking out two. He lowered his Texas League leading ERA to 1.67 in 70 innings of work so far this season.
The RoughRiders plated the first run of the ballgame in the bottom of the eighth inning. Engel Beltre drove the third pitch from Naturals' reliever Bryan Paukovits (1-0) over the wall for a solo home run. The home run was the sixth of the season for Beltre, and it gave the RoughRiders a 1-0 lead.
The Naturals offense battled back in the top of the ninth to take the lead in the top of the ninth inning. Yem Prades pinch-hit for Johnny Whittleman and worked a walk, he advanced to second on a passed ball. Mario Lisson singled to drive home Prades and tie the game at one, he then moved up to third base on a throwing error by Guilder Rodriguez. Sharlon Schoop followed with an RBI single to put the Naturals in front 2-1. Rey Navarro tacked on another run driving in Schoop with his third hit of the night.
Joe Ortiz (1-2) worked one inning allowing three hits and three runs, walking one and striking out one. The blown save was the third of the season for Ortiz.
The Naturals will return home and open a four-game set with the Arkansas Travelers on Wednesday night at 7:00 PM. Right-hander Elisaul Pimentel (2-3, 6.37) will take the mound for the Naturals against the Travelers AJ Schugel (2-5, 3.29). The game can be heard on ESPN 92.1 The Ticket.
Texas League Stories from June 4, 2012
- Travs Take Series with 5-4 Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Cardinals Take Two of Three from Hooks - Springfield Cardinals
- Late Inning Battle Results in Naturals Sweep - Frisco RoughRiders
- Big First Inning from Midland Dooms Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Sweep Roughriders - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Game Notes, June 4 at Springfield - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Upcoming Homestand Highlights - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Return Home on Wednesday - Tulsa Drillers
- Hooks Home Wednesday-Wednesday - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Profar & Olt Honored for Stellar Play - Frisco RoughRiders
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