TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Naturals Drop Series Opener to Travelers

Published on July 1, 2019 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, Ark - A couple of first inning runs by Arkansas spelled trouble for Northwest Arkansas as the Naturals (35-43/4-6) drop the series opener to the Travelers (52-27/9-2) on Monday night by a 3-1 final. Khalil Lee and Gabriel Cancel both had multi-hit nights in their first game at Arvest Ballpark since representing the North Division in the Texas League All-Star Game.

The Travelers struck for runs in the opening frame with the help of some small ball. Donnie Walton led off the game by singling to right-center and then advanced to third on a base hit by Aaron Knapp. Former first rounder Kyle Lewis followed with a RBI single of his own to put the Travs up 1-0 before Nick Zammarelli had a two-out hit to drive in another run for an early 2-0 lead.

The game remained 2-0 until the Naturals scratched across a run in the fourth. Lee and Cancel started the inning with back-to-back singles before Anderson Miller registered the lone RBI of the game for Northwest Arkansas with a groundout to plate Lee.

Arkansas would score their final run in the fifth after Knapp tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Dom Thompson-Williams.

The Naturals offense was held to six hits in the game - four combined by Lee and Cancel - as the Travelers pitching stymied th home team in the opener. Darren McCaughan (W, 7-4) struck out seven in 7.0 innings of one-run baseball while the bullpen combination of Jack Anderson (H, 6) and Art Warren (S, 9) allowed just a hit and struck out three over the final 2.0 innings.

Northwest Arkansas received a solid start from Gerson Garabito (L, 4-6) as he gave up three runs on eight hits and struck out three in the loss. Meanwhile, Emilio Ogando and Franco Terrero combined for 3.1 scoreless innings of relief to stay in it.

Northwest Arkansas will continue their 3-game homestand tomorrow night - Tuesday, July 2nd - with Game 2 of this 3-game set against the Arkansas Travelers (Double-A Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners) at Arvest Ballpark. First pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m. and the game features Post-game Fireworks presented by Arvest and Bimbo Bakeries USA as well as a Bullpen Craft Beer Bar Happy Hour from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. The Naturals will send right-hander Brady Singer (2-0, 6.35 ERA), the Royals top-ranked prospect, to the mound while the Travelers will counter with a highly regarded prospect of their own in Justin Dunn (5-3, 3.45 ERA). Catch all of the live play-by-play action with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on KQSM - 92.1 The Ticket at 6:15 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch against the Double-A Mariners from Arvest Ballpark.

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 July 1, 2019


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