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TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Late Homer Dooms Naturals in 4-3 Loss

April 27, 2018 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Springfield centerfielder, Lane Thomas, broke a 3-3 tie in the eighth inning with a lead-off home run which determined the outcome of the series finale at Hammons Field on Thursday night pushing the Cardinals to a 4-3 win over the Naturals. The loss hands the Naturals its fourth consecutive loss.

Starter, Scott Blewett, twirled 6.1 innings in his fourth start of the season and surrendered just one run over his first 6.0 innings of work. The 22-year old allowed a first inning tally before retiring 16 of the next 18 hitters including a stretch of nine straight shut down from the final out of the first to the second out of the fourth inning.

Blewett left the game with the Naturals ahead, 3-2 and with runners on first a third. Reliever, Franco Terrero (1-2, 10.24) allowed the tying run to cross on a sacrifice fly and allowed the solo shot to lead-off the eighth. His 6.1 innings of three-run baseball is the longest outing by a Naturals' starter this season.

Northwest Arkansas (6-12) took the lead in the fifth inning off Springfield starter, Conner Greene. With the bases loaded and one-out, Nicky Lopez beat out a double-play ball to allow for the tying run to score. During the at-bat of Erick Mejia, Greene uncorked a wild pitch to bring home Alfredo Escalera from third base to give the Naturals a 2-1 lead.

Corey Toups delivered a run-scoring double in the sixth inning to plate Samir Duenez for an insurance run, jarring Greene for the game.

The Naturals' threatened in the ninth inning, down 4-3, when Anderson Miller tagged a one-out triple over Thomas' head to set-up a scoring chance; but closer, Hector Mendoza retired the next two hitters to hold down the win for the Cardinals.

Toups finished the night 2-for-4 with a double while Escalera tabbed his first multi-hit game of the season which included his second double of the season.

Northwest Arkansas has dropped 14 consecutive games at Hammons Field dating back to May, 2017. The last Naturals' win in Springfield, Mo. came on May 3, 2017.

The road trip will conclude on Friday, April 27 with a double-header at ONEOK Field in downtown Tulsa, Okla. The double-header is to make-up for the rain out from Saturday, April 21.

Left-hander, Emilio Ogando (2-1, 5.14) will pitch the front end of the twin bill with right-hander, Glenn Sparkman (1-1, 3.95) take the mound in the night cap. First pitch is slated for 4:30 of the double-header.

Join the Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly, with a 4:10 p.m. pregame show leading up to first pitch on AM-1590 the Ticket-2 and 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 April 27, 2018


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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