Naturals Fall in Heartbreaker
Published on July 17, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGDALE, AR- The Arkansas Travelers used a three-run ninth inning to defeat the Naturals 6-4 on Tuesday night at Arvest Ballpark. The loss was the sixth straight for the Naturals.
Brian Fletcher continued his power surge in the bottom of the first inning. After Paulo Orlando reached on an error, he belted his third home run in his last two games, to put the Naturals in front 2-0.
The Naturals tacked on another run in the bottom of the third inning getting an RBI single from Kevin Kouzmanoff to make it 3-0.
The Travelers chipped away at the Naturals lead in the top of the fourth inning. Roberto Lopez belted a solo home run to cut the deficit to 3-1. The home run was the seventh of the season. The Travelers added another run on an RBI ground out by Renny Osuna to make it a 3-2 game.
Sugar Ray Marimon turned in a quality outing on the mound for the Naturals. The right-hander went six and two-thirds innings allowing four hits and two runs, while walking three and striking out three.
The Naturals got some help from an error by Angel Castillo in center field, that allowed Yem Prades to score, making it a 4-2 game. Paulo Orlando, who hit the ball and made it all the way to third base on the play.
The Travelers got a solid outing from their starter Matt Oye as well. The converted starter went six and two-thirds innings allowing six hits and four runs, two of which were earned, while striking out six.
Angel Castillo blasted his fifth home run of the season, a solo shot, off of Naturals' reliever Buddy Baumann to pull the Travelers back to within one. After a single by Jean Segura, the Naturals summoned Jon Keck (2-1) from the bullpen. Keck worked out of the inning to keep the one-run lead.
The Travelers got to Jon Keck in the top of the ninth inning. Castillo and Segura each recorded an RBI single to put the Travelers in front for the first time of the night 5-4. They tacked on a third run on an RBI single from Osuna to make it a 6-4 game.
Ryan Chafee (3-1) worked one and a third innings allowing just one hit to earn the win. Kevin Johnson worked a perfect ninth inning to earn his tenth save of the season for the Travelers.
The Naturals continue their four-game series at home against the Arkansas Travelers on Monday at 7:05 PM. They will send right-hander Michael Mariot (3-2, 3.25) to the mound against the Travelers right-hander AJ Schugel (4-7, 3.05). The game can be heard on ESPN 92.1 The Ticket.
Texas League Stories from July 17, 2012
- Travs Rally in 9th Inning to Win Second Straight - Arkansas Travelers
- Outman, Drillers Blank Cardinals - Tulsa Drillers
- Missions Mash Roughriders - Frisco RoughRiders
- Cardinals Fall to Tulsa 7-0 - Springfield Cardinals
- Naturals Fall in Heartbreaker - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Game Notes, July 17 at Midland - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Double Header Scheduled for Wednesday, July 18th - Midland RockHounds
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