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TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Naturals Roll to Series Opening Win

August 2, 2018 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, Ark - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals (15-25, 50-60) got the offense going early and often and received another quality start from Emilio Ogando (W, 8-6) to roll to a 9-1 series opening win over the Springfield Cardinals (18-23, 51-60) on Thursday night. Tonight's game began the Naturals' longest homestand of the year as they team plays 10 games in 11 days.

Northwest Arkansas carried the momentum of a successful road trip into the homestand opener. After holding Springfield without a run in the first, the offense took over in the home half of the frame. Jecksson Flores started it with a one-out single, stole second, and then scored on a RBI double by Samir Duenez. Later in the inning, Alex Liddi would come through with a two-out, two-run single to plate Duenez and Kelvin Gutierrez to give the Naturals an early 3-0 advantage over the visiting Cardinals.

The Naturals would add two more runs in the fourth to extend their lead to 5-0. Gutierrez collected his second single of the game and scored on a triple by Kort Peterson. After a walk to Liddi, Anderson Miller would plate Peterson with a sacrifice fly.

The relentless offensive attack would add a run in each of the next two frames and then two in the seventh. Duenez picked up his second RBI of the night with a run-scoring single in the fifth before Corey Toups would single home Peterson in the sixth for a 7-0 lead. Then in the seventh, the Naturals would complete their scoring with a two-run home run off the bat of Duenez.

The Cardinals threatened with the bases loaded in the ninth but would only manage a lone run to set the final score at 9-1.

The Northwest Arkansas two-three-four-five hitters of Flores, Duenez, Gutierrez and Peterson proved to be too much for Springfield in the series opener. The foursome combined to go 9-for-15 with two doubles, a triple, a homer and five RBIs.

On the mound, the Naturals received yet another quality start from Ogando. The veteran lefty earned his third straight win as he posted his fourth quality start in his last six outings. Against the Cardinals this year, he improved to 3-0 with a sub 1.00 ERA.

His counterpart, Matt Pearce (L, 0-3), took the loss as he gave up six runs on nine hits in 5.0 innings of work.

Northwest Arkansas will continue their series against the Springfield Cardinals, the Double-A Affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, with Game 2 of this 4-game set tomorrow night - Friday, August 3 - with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Gates will open at Arvest Ballpark at 6:00 p.m. for a Fireworks Friday featuring Pink in the Park Night Gameworn Jersey Auction presented by Farm Rich. The Naturals will give the baseball to right-hander Scott Blewett (5-6, 5.65 ERA) while the Cardinals will counter with a right-hander of their own in Casey Meisner (0-0, 4.50 ERA). Catch all of the live play-by-play action tomorrow night with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on KQSM - 92.1 The Ticket starting at 6:45 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show.

Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Facebook and Twitter @NWANaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime and #CrowntoCrown for all of our up-to-date information on the 2018 season of Naturals baseball.

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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Texas League Stories from August 2, 2018


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