Naturals Nipped in Springfield, 5-4
Published on July 29, 2016 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Frank Schwindel clobbered his 17th home run of the season in the seventh inning Friday night at Hammons Field to pull the Naturals within a run. But that lone run remained the difference as Springfield edged out Northwest Arkansas, 5-4, in game two of the four-game series.
The two offense tussled back and forth throughout the night. Trailing 1-0 entering the top of the third inning, Logan Moon led off the frame with an infield base hit. The Blue Springs, Mo. native scored from first base on a double by Jack Lopez to tie the game. An inning later, the Naturals took the lead.
With two outs and the bases empty, Schwindel collected the first of his three hits on the night, this one being a double tucked inside the bag at third. Alfredo Escalera traded bases with Schwindel on the very next pitch from Springfield starter, Daniel Poncedeleon (7-6, 3.56) to give Northwest Arkansas (47-58/18-17) a 2-1 lead. A batter later, Zane Evans shot a single into right-field to score Escalera and extend the Naturals lead to 3-1.
Naturals' starter, Jake Junis (9-6, 3.19) retired 12 consecutive batters through the fourth inning to maintain the Naturals' 3-1 advantage. But Springfield (56-49/15-20) took a 5-3 lead after Jacob Wilson hit a grand slam with one out in the fifth.
Matt Strahm made his third relief outing of the season on Friday night, face seven hitters, struck out three and hit two batsmen on the night. Daniel Stumpf appeared in the eighth inning and retired the side in order with a pair of punch outs.
Schwindel finished 3-for-4 with a double and a homer on the night, giving him 17 home runs and 52 RBIs on the season. The three-hit game is the fifth of the year for the 2016 Mid-Season All-Star. Lopez finished 2-for-4 with a double and a run batted in on his night while Terrance Gore and Corey Toups collected hit in the losing effort.
Toups recorded a single in the seventh inning to extend his road hitting streak to 14 consecutive games and his road on-base streak to 25 games - both longest active streaks in the Texas League. His 25-game road, on-base streak is the longest stretch in franchise history.
The series continues on Saturday night from Hammons Field as right-hander, Yender Caramo (2-5, 2.70) makes his third start on the year against left-hander, Austin Gomber (0-0, 1.50) going for the Cardinals.
Join the Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly, for a 5:50 p.m. Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show on Thursday night, leading up to the 6:10 p.m. first pitch on the flagship station of the Naturals, 92.1-FM, the Ticket from Hammons Field in Springfield, Mo.
Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Twitter @NWANaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime and #CrowntoCrown for all of our up-to-date information on the Season Nine of Naturals Baseball, tickets, groups, promotions, roster, season standings, player statistics, and updates on Naturals alumni.
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.
Texas League Stories from July 29, 2016
- Newest Hook the Difference - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Riders Surge Early, But Missions Take Game Two - Frisco RoughRiders
- Kipper & the Travs Keep Rolling in Tulsa - Arkansas Travelers
- Travs Edge Drillers 3-2 - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Nipped in Springfield, 5-4 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Bunt of the Year - Midland RockHounds
- Four-Run Fourth Carries Riders Back to Win Column - Frisco RoughRiders
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
