TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Long Ball Carries Naturals in Opener at Springfield, 9-3

Published on June 17, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The weather knocked out every other game in the Texas League on Wednesday night except the series opener between the Naturals and the Springfield Cardinals and it's a good thing it didn't. Northwest Arkansas (39-26) blasted four home runs on 12 hits en route to a definitive 9-3 win over the Cardinals at Hammons Field on Wednesday night. The Naturals have dwindled their magic number to clinch a First Half North Division Championship down to a single game.

The offense started quickly in the opening inning against Springfield (27-38) left-hander Kyle Hald (0-4, 6.98) with Lane Adams singling up the middle to open the contest. Two batters later, Jorge Bonifacio smacked his 11th home run of the season to give Northwest Arkansas an early 2-0 lead.

Springfield trimmed the deficit to a lone run in the second frame off Naturals' starter Jonathan Dziedzic (4-3, 3.61); but his teammates were quick to give a large enough advantage for the Humble, Texas native to win his second straight game.

Raul Mondesi chipped in a sacrifice fly to plate Adams who led off the third frame with a triple and the long ball reared its head again, but this time it was Balbino Fuenmayor. The All-Star first baseman launched a two-run shot to extend the Naturals advantage to 5-1.

Catcher Zane Evans added his fifth home run of the season, another two-run home run, in the fourth off Hald while Hunter Dozier tacked on his fifth long ball of the season, a solo home run, in the eighth to secure the 9-3 win.

Both Fuenmayor and Evans finished with three-hits apiece while Adams ended his evening 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.

The four home runs tonight by Northwest Arkansas tied the season-high for the third time this season and are the most since the Naturals knocked four against the Cardinals the last time they were in Springfield, Mo. on May 7.

Bonifacio's 11th home run of the season gives him a new career-high surpassing his previous high set in Kane County (A) back in 2012.

Left-hander Sam Selman and right-hander Aroni Nina tossed the final four frames of the contest with Selman allowing a single run in his two innings and Nina worked a pair of shutout innings.

First pitch of game two from Hammons Field is set for 7:10 p.m. on Thursday, June 18 with right-hander Miguel Almonte (4-3, 4.08) dueling against the Springfield right-hander Kurt Heyer (1-0, 5.19) in the second game of the set.

Tune in with the Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly, on Tuesday at 6:55 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to the 7:10 p.m. first pitch on the Naturals flagship station, 92.1 - FM, the Ticket from Arvest Ballpark.

Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Twitter @nwanaturals throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime for all of our up-to-date information on tickets, groups, promotions, and team-related information.

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 17, 2015


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