Early Offense Doesn't Hold in Naturals 9-2 Loss
Published on July 9, 2018 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Northwest Arkansas scored the first two runs of the contest; but Corpus Christi scored nine unanswer over the final four frames en route to a 9-2 win over the Naturals on Sunday night at Whataburger Field.
The game was delayed for one hour and 27 due to a bee hive in the Corpus Christi third-base dugout, pushing back the pitchers' warm up by over an hour.
The Naturals (38-47/3-12) used a solo home run by Alex Liddi in the second inning - his 12th of the season - and a run-scoring fielder's choice off the bat of Jecksson Flores to grab a 2-0 lead off starter, Ryan Hartman (7-2, 3.00) of the Hooks.
Left-hander, Foster Griffin (3-11, 5.99) worked in-and-out of traffic in his first four innings of his 18th start. In the fifth with the Naturals in front, 2-0, Griffin allowed the first three men to reach base, but struck out the three and four hole hitters in the Hooks' line-up.
Manager, Mike Rojas, took a mound visit to check-in on the starter and left him in the game with his pitch count at 101. Griffin fell behind Abraham Toro, 2-1 and on the next pitch, the Hooks' designated hitter struck a pitch down the rightfield line to vault Corpus Christi in front, 3-2.
Griffin finished four and two-third innings, struck out eight batters for the second straight start; but matched a career-high in walks with five. The left-hander threw a career-high 105 pitches in the start.
Corpus Christi (56-30/13-4) scored a single run in the sixth inning, two in the seventh and three more in the eighth to pad their advantage.
John Brontsema and Xavier Fernandez led the offense with each collecting a pair of singles in the contest.
The Naturals and Hooks will conclude the series tomorrow, Monday July 9 at Whataburger Field with a 7:05 p.m. game. The Naturals have not yet named a starter. Corpus Christi will go with right-hander, Akeem Bostick (0-2, 3.17) in the finale.
Join the Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly, for a 6:45 p.m. pregame show leading up to the 7:05 p.m. first pitch on 92.1-FM, the Ticket.
Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Facebook and Twitter @NWANaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime and #CrowntoCrown for all of our up-to-date information on the 2018 season of Naturals baseball.
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.
Texas League Stories from July 9, 2018
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- Bishop Earns League Player of Month for June - Arkansas Travelers
- Bishop Earns League Player of the Month for June - Arkansas Travelers
- Hooks Buzz Naturals - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Jones, Cardinals Shutout RockHounds for 3rd Straight Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Late Tatis Double Trips Travs - Arkansas Travelers
- Early Offense Doesn't Hold in Naturals 9-2 Loss - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Missions Roll in Paddack's Debut - San Antonio Missions
- Drillers Top Frisco for Fifth Straight Win - Tulsa Drillers
- Tatis Jr. Clears the Bases and Clinches Series for Missions - San Antonio Missions
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