Ferguson, Naturals Beat Travelers, 3-1
July 29, 2014 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The Northwest Arkansas Naturals (44-65/19-20) used strong starting pitching and more two-out offense to even the three game series at one game each with a 3-1 victory on Tuesday night over the Arkansas Travelers (55-54/21-18). The win pulled the Naturals within two games of the top of the Texas League North Division.
Naturals starter RHP Andy Ferguson (8-9, 3.29) turned in his team-leading 12th quality outing in-front of family and friends at Dickey-Stephens Park. The right-hander allowed a first inning run off a two-out double by Matt Long and surrendered one other hit in the second before he retired 13 of the final 14 batters he faced including seven straight to cap off the night.
Ferguson 's final line is six innings, three hits allowing just one run on three walks and six strike outs for the win.
The offense supplied the runs - all coming with two outs. Naturals shortstop Orlando Calixte stepped to bat with the bases loaded and two outs and brought home a pair of tallies in the third to give Ferguson and the Naturals a 2-1 lead. Calixte made sure Northwest Arkansas kept the lead by dazzling with the leather in the home half of the third. Calixte ranged well to his right, backhanded a ball deep in the hole at short and threw out Arkansas first baseman Brian Hernandez for the second out in the third to help the Naturals' starter.
Hunter Dozier supplied the other offense with a two-out single to score Mitch Maier from second base in the fifth, extending the Naturals lead to two. Northwest Arkansas has now scored 38 total runs in the last eight games with 23 coming with two outs. All three runs crossed with two outs in the win.
Left-hander Sam Selman tossed two frames of scoreless relief and has not allowed a single run in eight relief appearances extending his streak to 11.2 scoreless stanzas. RHP Andrew Triggs notched his Texas League leading 17th save with a scoreless ninth inning.
Angel Franco extended his league-best hitting streak to 14 games with a single off RHP Jairo Diaz in the 7th while Calixte finished the night 1-for-3 with two RBI. Maier ended with a single in three trips to the plate while crossing home twice in the Naturals win.
The victory on Tuesday now sets up a rubber match on Wednesday night at Dickey-Stephens Park. Northwest Arkansas looks to win their second straight series over the Arkansas Travelers having taken two out of three last week at Arvest Ballpark.
Northwest Arkansas will send RHP J.C. Sulbaran (7-7, 2.72) to the mound holding the league's fourth lowest ERA against RHP Orangel Arenas (5-7, 3.38). Sulbaran is 5-3 in his last nine appearances, eight starts, with a 1.82 ERA - second lowest in the league since June 1.
You can catch all live play-by-play action for the game with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on your home for the Naturals 92.1 the Ticket for a 6:55p.m. Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to the 7:10p.m. first pitch from Dickey-Stephens Park.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark. For more information including statistics, ticket options, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.
• Discuss this story on the Texas League message board...
Texas League Stories from July 29, 2014
- DeShields, Hooks Walk off vs. Missions - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Ferguson, Naturals Beat Travelers, 3-1 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Gallo Smashes Go-Ahead Grand Salami - Frisco RoughRiders
- Frisco RoughRiders Game Notes - Frisco RoughRiders
- San Antonio Missions Game Notes: July 29 at Corpus Christi (7:10 PM CST) - San Antonio Missions
- Selena Tribute Night August 16 - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Cowart Shines in Wilson's Rehab Win - Arkansas Travelers
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.
