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TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Fuenmayor Homers But Naturals Fall in Series Opener

June 25, 2015 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, Ark. - Northwest Arkasnas Naturals first baseman Balbino Fuenmayor hit his league leading 15th home run of the season but the Naturals (0-3, 40-33) fell to the Tulsa Drillers (3-0, 33-39) by the score of 3-2 at Arvest Ballpark on Thursday night.

It was the first home game of the second half of the season for the First Half North Division Champion Northwest Arkansas Naturals and the game would enter the fifth inning in the midst of a pitching duel. Naturals' starter J.C. Sulbaran, a Texas League North Division All Star, and Ross Stripling were successful in holding the opposing offenses in check for the majority of the game before the Drillers came to life in the fifth. Nate Samson led off the frame with a single to left field before Jeremy Rathjen delivered what proved to be the game-winning two-run home run to center field to put the Drillers in front by the score of 3-1 at the time.

The Naturals started quickly with a run in the home half of the first after a scoreless 1-2-3 top half of the inning by Sulbaran. Lane Adams led off the game with a double down the right-field line to put a runner in scoring position. With one out and Jorge Bonifacio at the plate, Adams would move over to third base on a wild pitch and then come around to score on an RBI groundout by Bonifacio.

Tulsa would use some two out offense in the top half of the third inning to tie the game at a run a piece. Peter Lavin singled and moved to second base on a throwing error on a pick-off attempt before Yadir Drake would double to right field to bring him home.

The Naturals would try to mount a late rally behind the solo home run of Fuenmayor but LHP Eric Stults closed the door on the 3-2 win for Tulsa. Stults got credit for the save after working 4.0 innings of relief and only allowing the one run on four hits.

J.C. Sulbaran (4-6, 4.68 ERA) received the loss for the Naturals as he went 6.0 innings giving up three runs on eight hits while striking out three. Meanwhile, Ross Stripling (1-1, 4.00 ERA) picked up the win for the Drillers as gave up only one-hit in 5.0 innings of work.

Northwest Arkansas and Tulsa will continue their series tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. on One-Hit Wonder Night Post-Game Fireworks Spectacular presented by Farm Rich. The Naturals will send RHP Christian Binford (2-2, 5.12 ERA) to the mound to face RHP Jharel Cotton (0-0, 1.50 ERA) of the Drillers. Catch all the live play-by-play action with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on your home for Naturals baseball on KQSM 92.1 The Ticket at 6:50 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch.

Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Twitter @nwanaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime for all of our up-to-date information on tickets, groups, promotions, roster, and team information.

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 June 25, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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