TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Naturals drop third straight as Cards roll

Published on July 30, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGFIELD, MO - Christian Colon had three hits and Jamie Romak had a pair of homers, but the Naturals' pitching didn't hold up its end in an 11-5 loss at Springfield on Saturday night at Hammons Field. Springfield (16-19, 48-57) got four RBI's each from Matt Adams and Eric Duncan and while once again, the Naturals put up good swings on Springfield phenom Shelby Miller, knocking him out of the game early, they were unable to stop the bleeding.

The Cardinals got right on the board in the first as Jim Rapoport scored on an RBI ground out from Charlie Cutler, giving Springfield a 1-0 lead.

Northwest Arkansas (18-17, 53-49) would tie the game right up in the bottom of the first. Designated hitter Jamie Romak homered over the short porch in left field. Romak's home run was only the second conceded this year by Miller.

Former first round pick Jeremy Jeffress got the start for the Naturals, his third this season with Northwest Arkansas.

Jeffress (0-1) struggled mightily to find the strike zone, throwing only 39 strikes against 39 balls. His problems finding the plate led to a three-run bottom of the third for Springfield. Walks to Jackson and Zack Cox gave the bottom half of the Cardinals' lineup an opportunity to put runs on the board. Jose Garcia and Eric Duncan hit an RBI single and a two-run RBI double, respectively, to put the Cardinals back on top, 4-1.

Matt Adams took sole possession of first place in the race for most Texas League RBIs (78) with a two-out RBI single to right in the bottom of the fourth. Adams' single increased the Springfield lead to 5-1.

The Naturals were able to get Miller's night finished early in the top of the fifth, as he reached his pitch count. Paulo Orlando doubled and came in on an RBI single from Derrick Robinson. Christian Colon then singled to put runners on the corners and bring the tying run to the plate, ending Miller's night. Springfield reliever Scott Schneider (7-8) allowed an RBI sacrifice fly to Wil Myers to cut the Springfield lead to 5-3.

Ryan Jackson hit an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth to put the Cards up by three again, and the Naturals answered right back with a run that came in on a passed ball by Springfield backstop Charlie Cutler to make it 6-4.

After retiring the first two in the bottom of the seventh, Northwest Arkansas reliever Andrew Dobies let the Cardinals get a rally going, issuing two free passes and falling victim to an error by Naturals' third baseman Rey Navarro. Slugger Matt Adams followed and sent a deep fly ball off the top of the center field wall, allowing all three Cardinal base runners to score to give Springfield a 9-4 lead.

Eighth inning home runs by Northwest Arkansas' Romak and Springfield's Duncan capped the scoring.

The two teams will continue their four-game series with game three Sunday night. Southpaw Chris Dwyer (4-9, 6.34) will look to win his third consecutive start as he matches up with right-hander Joe Kelly (2-1, 7.04) for Springfield. Game time is 6 P.M. and the broadcast can be heard on ESPN 92.1 The Ticket.

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Texas League Stories from July 30, 2011


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