Five-Run First Fuels Cardinals to Win over Naturals
July 15, 2018 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Cardinals sent 11 men to the plate in the first inning and scored five runs on five hits to leap out to a lead in which Springfield would not relinquish. Northwest Arkansas fell in the series opener at Hammons Field on Sunday night by a 7-1 final score.
The bullpen covered the final seven and one-third inning with Pedro Fernandez and Gabe Speier combining for six and one-third innings of one-run baseball. Fernandez entered to get the final out of the first inning and Speier pitched a scoreless fifth inning through the seventh.
Right-hander, Dallas Beeler (0-2, 24.92) took the losing decision allowing five runs on fit hits with two walks and a strikeout, getting just two outs in the first inning.
Northwest Arkansas (39-52/4-17) plated its first run in the eighth inning, trailing 6-0 at that point. Jecksson Flores laced his second hit of the night to score Kelvin Gutierrez from second base to crack the scoreboard.
Flores finished 2-for-4 with his 18th double of the season. Gutierrez doubled in three at-bats in the contest and has hit safely in four of his last five games.
Springfield starter, Mike O'Reilly stymied the Naturals over seven innings of three-hit baseball. The 23-year old right-hander retired 12 of the final 13 hitters faced including the last seven in a row.
The series continues tomorrow with a 6:30 first pitch from Hammons Field. Right-hander, Jace Vines will make his Double-A debut against right-hander, Jake Woodford (3-8, 5.09) going for the Cardinals. Vines appeared in 18 games making 17 starts for Wilmington this season and posted a 2-8 record with a 5.04 ERA.
Join the Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly, for a 6:10 Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show, leading up to first pitch on 92.1-FM, the Ticket and across the Naturals' radio network.
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.
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Texas League Stories from July 15, 2018
- O'Reilly's 7 Shutout Innings Lead Cardinals Past Naturals - Springfield Cardinals
- Rallying Riders Strike for Thrilling Win in Corpus Christi - Frisco RoughRiders
- Bachar, Diaz and Weir Combine on One-Hitter, France Drives in Three as Missions Blank 'Hounds in Opener - San Antonio Missions
- Five-Run First Fuels Cardinals to Win over Naturals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Hooks Take Series in West Texas - Corpus Christi Hooks
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