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TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Five Run Third Sends Naturals to Victory over Tulsa

April 21, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, Ark - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals (4-9) used three walks, three hits, and five runs in the third inning to break open a scoreless game and send them to a 5-2 victory over the Tulsa Drillers (4-9) on Thursday night at Arvest Ballpark.

With one out and the game scoreless in the bottom of the third, the Naturals offense applied some pressure with back-to-back walks by Ramon Torres and Raul Mondesi. The next batter, Bubba Starling, would deliver an RBI single scoring Torres and giving the Naturals a 1-0 advantage. With Mondesi standing at third base, Starling would steal second to put two runners in scoring position for the hot-hitting Hunter Dozier. Tulsa brought the infield in but Dozier, whom entered the game as the Naturals' leading hitter at .314 on the year, would take advantage of the defensive placement and the shift by rocketing a two-run single through the right side of the infield for a 3-0 lead. The Naturals would continue their aggressiveness on the base paths by pulling off a double steal following a one-out walk to Orlando Calixte. With runners at second and third, Naturals' backstop Zane Evans delivered a key two-run double giving Northwest Arkansas a commanding 5-0 lead.

Tulsa would try to creep back in the game by scratching off a run in both the fourth and the fifth frames against Naturals' starter RHP Christian Binford (1-2, 9.64). Kyle Farmer got the Drillers on the board with a RBI double in the fourth while Lars Anderson hit a towering solo home run to center field in the top of the fifth to cut the deficit to 5-2. LHP Eric Stout would come on to replace Binford in the sixth after the starter went 5.0 innings giving up two runs on four hits and four strikeouts.

The Naturals bullpen, beginning with Stout, sealed the win with 4.0 scoreless innings as Stout (H, 1) went 3.0 innings and only gave up three hits while registering three strikeouts. Meanwhile, RHP Kevin McCarthy (S, 1) recorded his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth in the 5-2 win. The team defense was also spectacular on the night as the Naturals turned three double plays and right fielder Orlando Calixte contributed his fourth outfield assist of the year, which is best on the team.

Hunter Dozier led the offensive attack by going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. The veteran third baseman continues to lead Northwest Arkansas at the plate as he is hitting .333 on the season with four home runs, four doubles, and nine RBI.

The four (4) game homestand against the Double-A Los Angeles Dodgers will continue tomorrow night - Friday, April 22 - at Arvest Ballpark at 7:05 p.m. with our First Responders Night with Post-Game Fireworks Spectacular presented by BIC.

Tulsa will send RHP Scott Barlow (0-1, 0.93 ERA) to the mound while the Naturals will counter with RHP Jacob Junis (0-1, 6.00 ERA). You can catch all the live play-by-play action with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on your home for Naturals baseball on AM 1590 - The Ticket 2 at 1:50 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch at 7:05 p.m.

Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Twitter @NWANaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime and #CrowntoCrown for all of our up-to-date information on the Season Nine of Naturals Baseball, tickets, groups, promotions, roster, season standings, player statistics, and updates on Naturals alumni.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics



Texas League Stories from April 21, 2016


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