Late Rally Not Enough in Windy West Texas
April 26, 2019 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
MIDLAND, Texas - Trailing 7-0 after six frames, Northwest Arkansas stormed back to plate five runs in the seventh inning; but could not muster any more. The Naturals extended the team's losing streak to four games with a 7-5 loss to the Midland RockHounds on Friday night at Security Bank Ballpark.
Anderson Miller started the seventh-inning rally with a sharp single to left field, followed by a screaming knock from Travis Jones to center. Nick Heath tapped a dribbler back to the mound where starter, James Naile's throw to first went awry, scoring Miller from second base. Gabriel Cancel continued his hot streak with a bleeding single to short rightfield to score Jones, cutting the Midland lead to 7-2 and knocking Naile from the game.
Samir Duenez stepped to hit and scorched a base hit to left-centerfield, plate two runs and helped set-up a sacrifice fly for Emmanuel Rivera to make it a 7-5 ballgame.
Northwest Arkansas (9-13) brought the go-ahead run to the plate in the ninth inning with runners at the corners and two-outs against Norge Ruiz; but failed to continue the game, dropping the contest, 7-5.
Midland (12-9) scored seven runs in the first four innings with six coming against starter, Jace Vines (0-3, 4.58) and capitalized on six walks by the Naturals' staff. The bullpen helped keep the deficit at no-greater than seven. Walker Sheller allowed a run in two innings of work with a trio of punchouts. Emilio Ogando tossed two perfect innings in the sixth and seventh while Gabe Speier tip-toed around two hits in the eighth, giving the bats a fighting chance.
The offense hit just 2-for-14 with men in scoring position and started the game 0-for-8. The Naturals had the lead-off man on in each of the first three innings; but could not break the scoreboard.
Cancel finished with a knock and has drove in two runs and have nine RBI through the first five games of the eight-game road trip and currently leads the Texas League with 20 RBI. Heath (2-for-5), Duenez (2-for-5) and Rivers (2-for-4) all finished with a pair of singles.
The four-game losing skid comes on the heels of a five-game winning streak. Northwest Arkansas has posted win streaks of four games and five games while having two losing streaks of nine and the current five-gamer.
The eight-game road trip continues with game two of the four-game series at Security Bank Ballpark in Midland, Texas on Saturday, April 27 through Monday, April 29 against the Midland RockHounds (Oakland A's). Right-hander, Gerson Garabito (1-1, 5.00 ERA) takes the hill for his fourth straight road start. Right-hander, Brian Howard (2-0 1.71 ERA) will toe the slab for the hometown Midlanders.
Catch the live play-by-play action of the road opener in west Texas on Saturday night with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on AM-1590, the Ticket-2 at 6:40 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading to first pitch at 7:00 p.m.
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.
• Discuss this story on the Texas League message board...
Texas League Stories from April 26, 2019
- Late Rally Not Enough in Windy West Texas - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Thomas Homer the Difference as Drillers Top Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Blast by Thomas Lifts Drillers to Win over Hooks - Tulsa Drillers
- Pair of Homers Not Enough in 3-2 Loss - Frisco RoughRiders
- Drillers Back at ONEOK Field to Face 'Hounds and Hooks May 1-7 - Tulsa Drillers
- Blue Ghosts Return May 23-25 - Corpus Christi Hooks
- RockHounds Split Double Header with Drillers - Midland RockHounds
- Shew Tosses 6.0 Shutout Innings in Cardinals Win over Sod Poodles - Springfield Cardinals
- Sod Poodles, Cardinals Split Series in Springfield - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- Riders Trip Travs in Ten to Take Series - Arkansas Travelers
- Tulsa Splits Doubleheader After Game Two Loss - Tulsa Drillers
- Riders Rally to Win Finale in Extras - Frisco RoughRiders
- Bukauskas Shines in Another Hooks Comeback Win - Corpus Christi Hooks
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.
