Late Rally Falls Short as Roughriders Take Game 2
April 8, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGDALE, Ark - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals (0-2) made a late rally but eventually fell to the Frisco RoughRiders (2-0) by the score of 6-3 in front of a crowd of 4,940 at Arvest Ballpark on a cool April night. An RBI double and a run scoring ground out cut the Naturals deficit to three but eventually LHP Ryne Slack (S, 1) closed the door on the Frisco victory.
Trailing 6-1 entering the bottom of the ninth inning, Northwest Arkansas finally got the offense going as Carlos Garcia worked a leadoff walk against RoughRiders reliever LHP Juan Grullon. The next batter, Ramon Torres, lined a single into left-center field to put runners at first and second. Garcia would move over to third base on wild pitch by Grullon. After a fly out to shallow left, the Naturals designated-hitter Hunter Dozier stepped to the plate and laced a two strike pitch to the wall in right for an RBI double that scored Garcia. The RoughRiders would then turn to Slack for the two out save and he would deliver as he give up a run on an Orlando Calixte ground out but then struck out Mauricio Ramos to end the game.
It was yet another pitching duel for the most part at Arvest Ballpark as Northwest Arkansas received another great start by a pitcher making his Naturals debut. LHP Matt Strahm, the Royals No. 8 prospect according to Baseball America, got the ball in his Double-A debut and went 5.0 scoreless innings and took a perfect game into the fourth inning. The young lefty gave up only two hits, walked none, and struck out four on the night. Like last night, the RoughRiders received a stellar outing from their starter as RHP Connor Sadzeck (1-0, 0.00) earned the win by twirling 6.0 scoreless innings of two hit baseball.
The Frisco offense did their damage in the sixth inning as they posted a five run frame against Naturals relievers LHP Estarlin Cordero (0-1) and RHP Andrew Edwards. The Riders used three walks, two singles, and a double to post the crooked number.
Northwest Arkansas will conclude their 3-game series against the Frisco RoughRiders (Double-A Texas Rangers) on Saturday, April 9 with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Gates will open at 4:35 p.m. for Saturday Happy Hour from 4:35 p.m.-5:35 p.m. in The Bullpen and a Saturday Night Giveaway, which is a Rally Towel for the first 2,000 fans courtesy of Coca-Cola.
Frisco will send RHP Sam Wolff to the mound while the Naturals will counter with RHP Christian Binford. The 23-year old right hander has made 24 Double-A starts with the Naturals and is 7-9 in his career with a 4.39 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 5:50 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch against the RoughRiders at 6:05 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.
Texas League Stories from April 8, 2016
- Missions Escape with 5-4 Win on Friday - Springfield Cardinals
- Alcantara Dazzles in Debut, Travs Win 2-0 - Arkansas Travelers
- Clutch Relief Leads Drillers to First Win of 2016 - Tulsa Drillers
- Missions Even Series with 5-4 Win over Cards - San Antonio Missions
- Tulsa Trims Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Sadzeck Shines as Riders Win Again - Frisco RoughRiders
- Late Rally Falls Short as Roughriders Take Game 2 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Riders Game Notes - 7:25 p.m. at Northwest Arkansas Naturals - April 8, 2016 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Saturday Happy Hours at Arvest Ballpark for the 2016 Season - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers First Home Games of 2016 on Deck - Tulsa Drillers
- Aguilera Homers Twice in Opening Night Loss - Arkansas Travelers
- An Auspicious, Efficient Debut - Midland RockHounds
- Caldwell and Cards Take Opener in San Antonio, 3-1 - Springfield Cardinals
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