TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Junis, Schwindel Lift Naturals to 7-2 Win over Cardinals

Published on May 14, 2016 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Jake Junis worked 6.2 shutout innings and Frank Schwindel delivered a second-inning grand slam as the Naturals beat the Springfield Cardinals Saturday night, 7-2 at Hammons Field. The Naturals pull within a game-and-a-half behind Springfield in the Texas League North Division.

The Naturals (17-17) opened the second inning with three consecutive singles off Springfield's starter, Andrew Morales (3-3, 3.26) by Orlando Calixte Mauricio Ramos and Zane Evans - all ended up in left-field - to set the table for Schwindel. The Livingston, N.J. native parked an 0-1 pitch from Morales over the right-centerfield wall to clear the bases and gave the Naturals a 4-0 lead.

The home run for Schwindel is his sixth on the year. He now has four of his six homers off of Springfield pitching.

The advantage proved to be sufficient for Junis (3-2, 3.52) who extended his consecutive scoreless inning streak to 19.2 innings with 6.2 shutout frames tonight. The right-hander did not allow a man to reach second base past the third inning and did not let anyone touch third all night.

Junis fanned six batters - including the final two he faced in the 7th - to earned his third win of the season and second straight victory.

The Naturals' tacked on two more runs in the eighth inning with Ramos coming through with a1 two-run single to make it a 6-0 lead. The Colombian-born infielder collected his team-leading fifth three-hit game, finishing 3-for-4 on the evening with two runs batted in, giving him 20 on the year.

After Springfield (19-16) plated two runs in the eighth inning off reliever, Benino Pruneda, centerfielder, Bubba Starling doubled home Jack Lopez from first base with two outs in the ninth, extending Northwest Arkansas' lead to 7-2.

Pruneda fanned the side in order in the bottom of the ninth to nail down the win.

Catcher, Zane Evans, finished with his second straight multi-hit game going 2-for-4 tonight while throwing-out Harrison Bader attempting to steal second in the third inning.

Eight of the nine Naturals' starters finished with at least one hit on the night. Northwest Arkansas pounded out 11 hits total.

The win assured Northwest Arkansas a .500-road trip and presents an opportunity for the club to finish with a winning record on the trek.

The Cardinals and the Naturals conclude the series on Sunday afternoon, May 15, with a 2:10 p.m. first pitch. Left-hander, Mike Minor (0-0, 6.75) makes his second rehab start of the season. Right-hander, Corey Baker (2-1, 3.30) counters for the Cardinals.

Join the Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly, for a 1:50 p.m. Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch on AM-1590, the Ticket-2.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from May 14, 2016


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