Naturals Slam Cardinals for Win
July 10, 2013 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGDALE, Ark -- A five-run sixth inning highlighted by a grand slam broke a 5-5 tie and propelled the Northwest Arkansas Naturals to a 10-5 victory over the Springfield Cardinals in the opening game of a four-game series on Wednesday night at Arvest Ballpark.
The Naturals broke the tie as Mitch Canham scored on an error by the Cardinals for a 6-5 lead. Orlando Calixte put the game out of reach with one swing of the bat, lining a 1-2 pitch to the left field seats for the Naturals' second grand slam of the season and his fifth home run of the year for a 10-5 Northwest Arkansas lead.
Springfield got on the board with a pair of runs in the first inning, but the Naturals scored three runs in the third to take the lead. Cheslor Cuthbert scored on a Whit Merrifield sacrifice fly, with Brett Eibner following Merrifield with a two-run triple. The Cardinals tied the game in the third inning on a sacrifice fly before the Naturals plated two runs on Merrifield's first triple of the season in the fourth. Springfield tied the game with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth before the Naturals broke the game open in the bottom half of the frame.
Yem Prades went three-for-four with three singles and three runs scored to lead the Naturals offense. Cuthbert went two-for-three with a single, double and run scored. Merrifield drove in three runs, going one-for-three with a triple and sacrifice fly.
Sam Runion earned his third with of the season. Runion got the final out of the sixth and pitched a scorless seventh for the Naturals. Andy Ferguson allowed three runs, two earned, on two hits with one walk and six strikeouts in five innings in his seventh start of the season for the Naturals.
Jose Almarante is charged with his first loss of the season. Almarante allowed four runs, none earned, on one hit with two strikeouts in 2/3 of an inning. Springfield starter Seth Blair allowed five runs on six hits with four walks and four strikeouts in five innings.
Prior to tonight's game, the Naturals announced a pair of transactions. Right-handed pitcher Jason Bergmann was signed by the Kansas City Royals and assigned to the Naturals, while right-handed pitcher Edwin Carl was released. Bergmann, a veteran of 155 major league games with the Washington Nationals, had been playing for the Sugarland Skeeters in the independent Atlantic League.
The Naturals and Cardinals continue their four-game series tomorrow night at 7 p.m. Jason Adam (3-9, 5.75 ERA) will get the start for the Naturals. Anthony Ferrara (5-4, 6.09 ERA) is the scheduled starter for Springfield.
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