TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Naturals Set Franchise Win Record

Published on August 23, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, AR - Chris McConnell hit a three-run homer during a four-run outburst in the bottom of the third and Danny Duffy turned in a solid outing as the Naturals beat the Midland RockHounds by an 8-2 final Monday evening at Arvest Ballpark.

With the win, the 76th on the season for the Naturals (34-22, 76-50), the Naturals have already set a new franchise mark for the most wins in a single season. They won 75 games in the inaugural season in 2008.

Monday, the Naturals took the early lead, got solid pitching, and added runs along the way for the win. Paulo Orlando's RBI single and Josh Fields' sacrifice fly gave the Naturals the 2-0 lead.

After Midland cut that lead to 2-1 with a sacrifice fly of their own in the second off the bat of Val Majewski, the Naturals' offense erupted for four in the bottom of the third. Facing a new pitcher, Jeff Lyman, on in relief of starter Carlos Hernandez (8-3), who was pulled after just two innings, Josh Fields and Clint Robinson got things started with back-to-back singles. Nick Van Stratten then reached on a force out of Robinson, and then Manny Pina singled to bring in Fields from third for a 3-1 lead. Later in the frame McConnell drilled a two-out, three-run homer into the bullpen café in left field to extend the lead to 6-1.

Midland (28-28, 63-63) got another run in the fifth on a solo homer from Jemile Weeks, but that was all the offense they could muster against Naturals' starter Danny Duffy (4-1), who went six innings, allowing five hits, one walk, and two runs (one earned) while recording five strikeouts.

Eric Hosmer drilled his 11th homer of the season in the eighth, a two-run shot that put the Naturals up 8-2. Brandon Sisk and Ben Swaggerty contributed a combined three innings of scoreless relief in the win.

The Naturals now head off to Springfield to start a seven-game road trip that begins with a four-game series with the Cardinals at Hammons Field. Left-hander John Lamb (0-1, 7.94), still looking for his first Texas League win, gets the start for the Naturals opposite right-hander David Kopp(11-3, 3.10) for Springfield. First pitch is slated for 7:10 P.M., and you can catch all the action live online or on ESPN 92.1 The Ticket.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale. The Naturals have a toll-free ticket hotline ( 1-877-444-2637) for fans to purchase Naturals tickets. Our website, nwanaturals.com offers fans the opportunity to purchase tickets online and avoid lines at the ticket windows by printing their tickets at home or at the office.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from August 23, 2010


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