Dwyer Dominates Cardinals
Published on June 17, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGFIELD, MO - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals used a dominant start by Chris Dwyer to defeat the Springfield Cardinals 4-3 on Sunday night at Hammons Field. The win gives the Naturals a split of the four-game series.
Paulo Orlando got things started for the Naturals offense with a lead-off single to start the fourth inning. Eric Duncan followed by delivering a big blow, his fourth home run of the season, over the right field fence to put the Naturals in front 2-0.
The Naturals (35-33) offense picked up an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning. Carlo Testa led off the inning with his tenth double of the season. He moved to third when Nick Van Stratten reached on a fielder's choice and later scored on an error by Cardinals first baseman Xavier Scruggs. The Naturals then loaded the bases against Cardinals' starter Seth Maness. Manager Mike Shildt elected to go with reliever Justin Wright. Wright worked out of the jam striking out both Duncan and Johnny Whittleman.
Maness went six and a third innings allowing seven hits and three runs, while walking one and striking out two. The start was the sixth in Double-A this season for Maness (3-1).
Chris Dwyer (4-6) was dominant on the mound working seven innings allowing five hit and two runs while striking out six. Dwyer came out for the eighth inning after tossing seven-shutout and walked the Cardinals lead-off man Vance Albitz, and then surrendered a single to Jose Garcia. He was lifted from the game in favor of Ryan Dennick after the Garcia single. Dennick issued a walk to Jermaine Curtis and then allowed a two-run single to Oscar Taveras to make it a 3-2 game.
Dennick went on to strike out Chris Swauger and Jake Shaffer before being lifted in favor of Bryan Paukovits. Paukovits fanned Scruggs on five pitches in order to preserve the Naturals' one-run lead.
Yem Prades picked up the pitching staff by belting his fourth home run of the season to left field. The home run gave the Naturals a 4-2 lead entering the bottom of the ninth inning.
Paukovits struck out Cardinals' (35-33) pinch-hitter Travis Tartamella for the first out of the inning before surrendering a single to Adam Melker and being lifted in favor of Buddy Baumann. The first pitch Baumann threw was ripped down the line for an RBI single by Kolten Wong. Naturals' defensive replacement Mario Lisson cut off the throw from Van Stratten to gun down Wong at third for the second out. After allowing back-to-back walks Baumann fanned Taveras to preserve the 4-3 win. The save was the first of the season for Baumann.
The Naturals will return home on Monday to begin an eight game home stand at 7:00 PM. The Naturals will send right-hander Ethan Hollingsworth (0-2, 6.10) against the Drillers right-hander Joe Gardner (3-3, 4.70). The game can be heard on News Talk 1030 KFAY.
Texas League Stories from June 17, 2012
- Travs Swept by Drillers - Arkansas Travelers
- Cardinals Lose to Naturals 4-3 - Springfield Cardinals
- Dwyer Dominates Cardinals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Game Notes, June 17 at Frisco - Corpus Christi Hooks
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