Crumbliss Crushes Naturals
Published on August 16, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
MIDLAND, TX- Conner Crumbliss blasted three home runs and drove in seven as the Midland RockHounds defeated the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 13-3 on Thursday night. The loss drops the Naturals to 0-2 on their current six-game road trip.
The RockHounds wasted no time blowing the game open scoring five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Crumbliss led off the game with a solo home run, his sixth of the season. After two singles and a walk, Jeremy Barfield hit a two-out grand slam to make it 5-0 RockHounds. The home run was number 12 on the season for Barfield.
Tyler Ladendorf and Miles head each delivered RBI hits for the RockHounds in the second inning to make it 7-0. The RockHounds offense did not stop there. Crumbliss blasted another home run, this one a grand slam that made it 11-0.
Naturals' starting pitcher JC Sulbaran (0-1) went three innings allowing nine hits and 11 runs, while issuing five walks. The outing was the shortest of the season for Sulbaran. Ryan Dennick was brilliant in relief for the Naturals. The left-hander went four scoreless innings allowing one hit and striking out five.
The offense got things going in the top of the sixth inning for the Naturals. Yem Prades led off with a double his twenty-third of the season. Whit Merrifield followed by working a walk, and both runners were driven home when Brian Fletcher blasted an RBI double. Fletcher moved to third on a single by Paulo Orlando and scored on an RBI single by Manny Pina to cut the lead to 11-3.
Fabio Castro (2-4) went five innings allowing just one hit and one run, while issuing two walks. The left-hander recorded a season high eight strikeouts.
Crumbliss homered again in the bottom of the eighth inning, this time a two run home run that made it a 13-3 game. The RockHounds leadoff hitter scored four times and drove in seven.
The Naturals will continue wrap-up a three-game series against the Midland RockHounds on Friday night at 7:00 PM. Right-hander Sugar Ray Marimon (3-4, 3.73) will get the start for the Naturals against the RockHounds right-hander Murphy Smith (6-9, 4.54). The game can be heard on ESPN 92.1 The Ticket.
Texas League Stories from August 16, 2012
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- Crumbliss Crushes Naturals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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- Game Notes, August 16 at Arkansas - Corpus Christi Hooks
- This Magic Number" 7 - Corpus Christi Hooks
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