TL Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Martin's Heroics Carry Naturals to 5-2 Win over Travelers

Published on June 24, 2021 under Texas League (TL)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


Rudy Martin drove in three runs and crushed his 5th home run of the season, as his outstanding offensive performance coupled with stellar pitching led the Northwest Arkansas Naturals to a 5-2 win over the Arkansas Travelers.

Martin started the scoring in the fifth with an RBI single that plated Dairon Blanco, then destroyed a two-run homer in the seventh to break what was at the time a 2-2- tie. His 5th long ball of the season was his second go-ahead shot of the season.

Along with Martin, first baseman Nick Pratto (MLB Pipeline's No. 9 Royals' prospect) had a two-hit game, going 2-for-3 with a triple in the first and a double in the sixth, later coming around to score. The two hits stretched his reached base streak to 21 consecutive games.

Freddy Fermin drove in his seventh run of the season in the sixth inning, a double in the gap to score Pratto.

MJ Melendez (MLB Pipeline's No. 13 Royals' prospect) wreaked havoc on the base-paths in the 8th, stealing his first base of the season after a leadoff single, then advancing to third on a wild pitch and scoring moments later on another.

Melendez combined with Blake Perkins and Blanco to steal four bases, increasing the club's Double-A lead to 61 stolen bases this year.

Three Northwest Arkansas arms combined to deliver a strong pitching effort. Drew Parrish made his first home start with the Naturals, allowing two runs on three hits across five innings while striking out four. Though Northwest Arkansas struggled to give him run support in the early stages of the game.

Stephen Woods Jr. came out of the bullpen for the second time this year and made his best performance of the season, allowing a leadoff walk but retiring the next six batters consecutively to earn his second win of the year.

Josh Dye contributed two scoreless innings, striking out two along the way for a two-inning save, his team-leading sixth save of the year.

Northwest Arkansas, now winners of 20 games this year, look to jump back up to .500 Thursday night with left-hander Austin Cox (MLB Pipeline's No. 10 Royals' prospect) starting for the Naturals in the third game of a six-game series with the Travelers.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from June 24, 2021


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