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 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Northwest Arkansas Drops One-Run Contest in Opener

July 25, 2014 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, Ark. - The Northwest Arkansas (16-18, 41-63) bullpen held strong on Thursday night and three Naturals batters recorded two hits, but it was the Springfield Cardinals (14-20, 48-56) who had the final word taking the series opener by a 4-3 final.

Springfield put up two runs in the first inning off of starter Andy Ferguson to stake claim to an early 2-0 lead. After the first, Ferguson settled in to toss four-consecutive scoreless innings until his sixth and final frame. The righty, who was coming off of a complete-game shutout, went five and a third innings allowing four runs.

Northwest Arkansas cut the two-run Springfield lead in half in the third inning. Ethan Chapman sparked the offense with a one-out double setting the stage for Orlando Calixte. The Royals No. 13 prospect delivered yet another Naturals' two-out RBI by driving in Chapman on a single.

A couple of hot Naturals' bats put the club out in front during the fourth. Cheslor Cuthbert doubled to lead off the inning for his first of two hits on the evening, he has hit safely in seven-straight games. A batter later, Max Ramirez tripled for the first time of the season sending Cuthbert in for the game-tying run. Later in the same inning, Justin Trapp singled Ramirez home giving Northwest Arkansas its first lead of the game, 3-2.

The game's final scoring was done by the Cardinals the sixth inning. A double by Charlie Tilson scored two runs on the play which was enough for Springfield to claim game one, 4-3.

From that point on, it was all about the bullpens. Neither side bent during the final three innings of the ballgame. RHP Malcom Culver went two and two-thirds strong innings as he did not allow a run or a hit. The California native walked a batter and fanned four, including striking out the side in the seventh, and he has not given up a run over his past two appearances covering five and two-thirds innings of work.

Blake Wood threw his first inning for the Naturals since joining the club yesterday, July 23. The righty, who spent time with the Cleveland Indians earlier this season but was originally drafted by Kansas City, tossed a scoreless ninth and struck out two hitters.

Cuthbert, Edinson Rincon and Chapman each collected two hits during the contest. Ferguson (7-9) suffered the loss and Mike Mayers (2-4) earned the win for Springfield, he went five and two-thirds and allowed three runs.

The Naturals will try to even the series at a game apiece tomorrow; Friday, July 25 at 7:05 p.m. on TMNT TURTLE POWER NIGHT and Barefoot Night at the Ballpark featuring a Post-Game Fireworks Spectacular by Cape Cod Chips and Gallo Barefoot Winery. Northwest Arkansas will send RHP J.C. Sulbaran (6-7, 2.91) to the mound for his fifth start of the season against Springfield and the Cardinals will counter with LHP Jonathan Cornelius (9-7, 3.92).

You can catch all live play-by-play action with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on your home for the Naturals 92.1 the Ticket at 6:50 p.m. Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch.


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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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