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TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Naturals Rally Late But Fall to RockHounds

May 5, 2019 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, Ark - Northwest Arkansas rallied late to tie the game at 3-3 in the eighth inning but Midland countered with two runs of their own in the ninth as the Naturals (11-18) would fall to the RockHounds (16-13) on Sunday afternoon by a 5-3 final.

Trailing 3-2 in the eighth, the Naturals mounted a two-out rally against reliever Trey McNutt (W, 2-1) of the 'Hounds. Gabriel Cancel ripped a single to left-center then was waved in all the way from first to score on a single by Emmanuel Rivera. The gamble to send the runner by Manager Darryl Kennedy paid off as the relay throw to home from Midland was off the mark.

With extra-innings looming, the RockHounds mounted their own two-out rally in the top half of the ninth. Edwin Diaz singled then reliever Yunior Marte (L, 0-3) issued a walk to put runners at first and second. Northwest Arkansas would call upon right-hander Franco Terrero to work out of the jam but he was unable to as he walked Dairon Blanco to load the bases before giving up a two-run, game-winning single to Chase Calabuig on a 3-1 pitch to give the visitor's from Texas the 5-3 lead.

Midland closer Kyle Finnegan (S, 5) pitched a scoreless ninth to record his fifth save, which ties for the Texas League lead.

The Naturals took an early 2-0 lead after two. Travis Jones and Anderson Miller got things started with back-to-back one-out singles before Nate Esposito was hit by a pitch to load the bases. The recently called up Blake Perkins, whom was making his first appearance for Northwest Arkansas since being transferred from Advanced-A Wilmington, worked a walk to plate the first run of the game. Parker Dunshee would then uncork a wild pitch, which allowed Miller to cross for the two-run advantage.

The game remained 2-0 until the fourth inning when Midland took advantage of some more defensive mistakes by Northwest Arkansas. With the bases loaded and two outs, Diaz reached on a throwing error by the third baseman that allowed Mikey White to score. Kevin Merrell then reached on an infield single to second baseman D.J. Burt in shallow right field. The chopper was hit slow enough that it allowed the runners at second and third to score, giving the RockHounds the 3-2 lead.

Right-hander Ofreidy Gomez got the start on Sunday afternoon and pitched well. He didn't give up an earned run in 4.0 innings of work while striking out five. His counterpart, Parker Dunshee also received a no decision after 7.0 innings of two-run ball.

Northwest Arkansas will continue their 7-game homestand with Game 3 of this 4-game set against the Midland RockHounds (Double-A Oakland Athletics) tomorrow night - Monday, May 6 - at Arvest Ballpark. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. and it's a Monday Night Lights presented by Ozarks Electric Cooperative featuring $1 Hot Dog Night by Tyson Foods, Inc. and Indigo Sky Casino Baseball Bingo. The Naturals will send a newcomer to the hill in left-hander J.C. Cloney to square off against right-hander Daulton Jefferies (0-0, 6.00 ERA) of the RockHounds. Catch the play-by-play action with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on KQSM - 92.1 The Ticket at 6:45 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch.

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.

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