Naturals homer happy in win over Cards
May 13, 2011 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGFIELD, MO - Homers by Nick Van Stratten and Jamie Romak helped overcome another shaky start by Chris Dwyer as the Naturals get by the Springfield Cardinals 7-5 Friday at Hammons Field. Van Stratten's three-run eighth inning shot came off of Cardinal reliever Nick Greenwood (1-1). Greenwood came on in relief to start the eighth with Springfield (14-18) clinging to a 5-4 lead. He got two quick outs, but allowed a single to Mario Lisson and walked pinch hitter Kurt Mertins before allowing Van Stratten's homer, his third of the season.
Romak's blast, his fourth on the season, came with two on in the third inning off of fireballing right-hander Maikel Cleto, making his first start for Springfield. Cleto dials his fastball up to 100 MPH, and Romak was able to drill a 2-1 offering to left field to put the Naturals up 3-1. Salvador Perez would later hit an RBI single that would extend that lead to 4-1.
Springfield had claimed the early lead on a solo shot by Niko Vasquez in the second. They tallied another in the third on a two out solo homer from Ryan Jackson which cut the Naturals' lead to 4-2.
That would prove not to be enough for the erratic Dwyer, who once again displayed problems with the fifth inning. He got a quick out but issued a one out walk to Jose Garcia and then Tommy Pham doubled to put runners at the corners. Jackson's ensuing two-run double knotted the game at four, and Dwyer was lifted after allowing a single to Matt Adams.
Heath Rollins, making his first relief appearance of the season for the Naturals, allowed an RBI groundout to Alex Castellanos that scored Jackson for the 5-4 advantage.
The win featured some spectadular relief for the Naturlas' bullpen. After Rollins allowed just the RBI groundout in 2 innings, Brandon Sisk (2-0) who held the Cardinals hitless for an inning through the bottom of the seventh and eighth, ended up earning the victory. Patrick Keating worked around one hit and recorded all five of his outs via the strikeout to earn his fifth save on the season for Northwest Arkansas (15-14).
Dwyer ended up charged with all five Springfield runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. He fanned five and walked two. Cleto allowed five hits and four runs (three earned) for Springfield, walking three and fanning five as both starters recorded no-decisions.
The Naturals will continue their four-game series with the Cardinals in Springfield Saturday night at Hammons Field. The Naturals will send lefty John Lamb (0-2, 3.49) to the mound while right-hander David Kopp, a 2010 Texas League All-Star, makes his season debut for Springfield. Game time is 6 P.M. and it will be broadcast on KFAY News/Talk 1030.
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