TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Homers Not Enough as Naturals Defeated by Riders

Published on June 21, 2019 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, Ark -Northwest Arkansas' offense received a jolt as both Nick Heath and Kort Peterson hit home runs but it was enough as the Naturals (33-39/2-2) were defeated by the Frisco RoughRiders (35-38/2-2) on Friday night by a 6-4 final. Frisco has taken the opening two games of this 4-game set so the Naturals will look to win the next two to salvage a series split.

Like in the series opener on Thursday night, the RoughRiders raced out to an early lead as Andretty Cordero led off the second inning with a solo home run. Later in the frame, Christian Lopes drove home a pair with a double to put Frisco in front, 3-0.

Northwest Arkansas would stage a bit of a comeback in the bottom of the fourth. Heath would lead off the inning with his first home run the year before Emmanuel Rivera would drive home Gabriel Cancel with a single to pull the Naturals to within a run.

The game remained 3-2 until the seventh when Leody Taveras scored on a bases loaded balk by reliever Conner Greene to extend the lead to 4-2 before the Naturals would get a run back in the home half on Peterson's eighth big fly of the season.

Frisco would plate a run in the eighth on a RBI single by Michael De Leon then another tally in the ninth on a single by Alex Kowalczyk. Northwest Arkansas would score a run in the ninth on Peterson's bloop single to make it a 6-4 game but that would be all they'd get off the Riders' hard-throwing closer Emmanuel Clase (S, 4) as he struck out the final batter to end the game.

Peterson led the Naturals offense with three hits, a home run, and two RBIs while Rivera stayed hot with two more hits.

Ofreidy Gomez (L, 4-5) got the start for Northwest Arkansas and was solid over his 6.0 innings of work. The Texas League North Division All-Star gave up just three runs on seven hits while tying a season-high with seven strikeouts. Greene, another member of the North Division All-Stars, followed and gave up three runs over 2.1 innings while Franco Terrero got the final two outs.

Northwest Arkansas will continue their 7-game homestand tomorrow night - Saturday, June 22nd - with Game 3 of this 4-game set against the Frisco RoughRiders (Double-A Texas Rangers) at Arvest Ballpark. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. for our Bullpen Craft Beer Bar Happy Hour prior to the 6:05 p.m. game, which is presented by Red Vines and Sour Punch. The previously scheduled cap giveaway planned for tomorrow night has been postponed due to a shipping delay so the first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a voucher that they can redeem for the cap beginning on Thursday, August 1st. At this point, neither team has named a starting pitcher for tomorrow night's game. Catch all of the live play-by-play action with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on KQSM - 92.1 The Ticket at 5:45 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading to first pitch.

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.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from June 21, 2019


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