TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Naturals Prevail in Marathon Game

Published on May 11, 2013 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGFIELD, MO - Juan Graterol hit a two-out, two run home run in the 20th inning on Saturday night as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals earned a 5-4 victory over the Springfield Cardinals in a 20-inning, 5 hour, 38 minute contest. The game is the longest game in franchise history in both minutes and time of game.

The Naturals took a 2-0 lead on a two-run home run from Matt Fields in the fourth inning. Fields homered in both games of yesterday's doubleheader and now has six home runs in nine games against Springfield this season. Yem Prades homered in the sixth to give the Naturals a 3-0 lead.

Springfield tied the game with a trio of runs in the eighth inning. James Ramsey reached on one-out single to start the Cardinal rally, with Tommy Pham following on a walk issued by Naturals reliever Sam Runion. Ruben Gotay tied the game with his first home run of the season to right field.

Both teams had multiple baserunners in extra innings but struggled to get the timely hit The Naturals left 17 runners on base, while the Cardinals stranded 16.

Not only did Fields go two-for-five at the plate, he was also the winning pitcher in his first professional game on the mound. Fields allowed one run in three innings as he allowed four hits and walked three batters. Yordano Ventura made the start for the Naturals and allowed two hits on five scoreless innings. J.C. Sulbaran, Nick Rogers and Edwin Carl followed with scoreless innings. Infielder Mitch Canham also pitched for the Naturals, allowing one hit with two walks and two strikeouts in three innings. Naturals' pitchers for the Naturals combined to strike out 19 batters while allowing 11 walks

Gotay is charged with the loss for the Cardinals, allowing the winning two runs on hit with two walks and two strikeouts in an inning of work. Starter Scott McGregor allowed three runs on nine hits with seven strikeouts in 6.2 innings of work for the Cardinals. Kevin Siegrist, Michael Blazek, Kevin Thomas, Deryk Hooker and Vance Albitz saw action on the mound for the Cardinals.

The Naturals and Cardinals will play the final game of the series on Sunday afternoon at 2:09 p.m.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from May 11, 2013


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