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TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Naturals Can't Hold Early Lead, Swept at Midland in Finale

April 19, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


MIDLAND, Texas - After building a four-run lead with a pair of two-run home runs over the first two innings, Northwest Arkansas could not sustain the lead, as the Midland RockHounds walked-off with a bases loaded, walk in the bottom of the ninth to sweep the Naturals, 5-4 in the finale at Security Bank Ballpark on Tuesday afternoon.

Naturals' designated hitter, Hunter Dozier, catalyzed the offense in the first inning. With a runner on and two outs, Dozier took Midland starter's, Raul Alcantara's 1-1 pitch over the left-centerfield wall for a two-run homer. In the second inning, getting his first start behind the plate, catcher, Allan de San Miguel, wrapped the first pitch from Alcantara around the leftfield foul pole, into the Naturals' bullpen for another two-run homer, extending the lead to 4-0.

Left-hander, Matt Strahm, made his third start of the season and held the lead through his five innings of work. The 24-year old hurler looked sharp, striking out six batters on 85 pitches, while scattering five hits. The West Fargo, N.D. native set himself up to become the first Naturals' left-hander to be the RockHounds at Midland since Will Smith did so in August of 2011. But the middle innings told a different story.

Midland (7-5) climbed closer with a single run off Strahm in the fifth and then tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the sixth off left-hander, Sam Selman. Selman worked two outs in the sixth inning before right-hander Andrew Edwards came on and struck out J.P. Sportman to end the threat.

Edwards went on to pitch 2.1 shutout innings with three strike outs allowing just one. The 6-foot-6 hurler has not allowed a single run over his first 8.1 innings of Double-A baseball while racking up 12 strikeouts over the stretch.

Right-hander, Benino Pruneda, entered to pitch the ninth inning and after allowing a single and double to put runners at second and third for Midland, Pruneda intentionally walked Matt Chapman to load the bases with no outs. Carson Blair coaxed a bases-loaded walk to bring home the winning run and complete the series sweep for Midland.

Ramon Torres led the offense with a pair of hits while Dozier finished 1-for-4 with his fourth homer of the season, driving in RBI numbers six and seven on the big fly. Bubba Starling added a double in a 1-for-3 day.

Northwest Arkansas (3-9) will enjoy an off-day on Wednesday, April 20 before opening up North Division play at Arvest Ballpark on Thursday, April 21.

First pitch from Arvest Balllpark on Thursday night is slated for 7:05 p.m. with Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly, opening up the airwaves with a 6:45 Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch.

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