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TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Naturals Stifled by Sulbaran in Series Finale

July 17, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, Ark. - Northwest Arkansas was going for the four (4) game sweep on Saturday night but were ultimately stifled by a familiar foe. Former Natural *RHP J.C. Sulbaran (W, 2-1) *was brilliant in 6.2 innings of work as he pitched the Springfield Cardinals (9-12, 50-41) to a shutout of the Naturals (13-9, 42-50) in the series finale at Arvest Ballpark, 2-0.

Sulbaran, the 26-year old hurler for the Cardinals spent the better part of four years in Northwest Arkansas from 2012 through the 2015 season and was brilliant against his former team on Saturday night. The Curacao-native kept the Northwest Arkansas hitters off balance all night as he was effective with his fastball, changeup, and curveball throughout the strike zone. He gave up two hits in 6.2 innings of work, walked two, and struck out five. In Naturals franchise history, Sulbaran ranks 2nd in wins (19), second in career strikeouts (232), third in innings pitched (289.2), and in starts (46).

While Springfield out-hit the Naturals 9-to-2 in the contest, they were not able to plate many runs in the game. All the offense on Saturday came in the third inning when *Allen Staton* connected on a 0-2 pitch from Naturals starter *RHP Ashton Goudeau (L, 2-9)* and lifted a home run over the wall in left and into the Bud Light Home Run Porch. The two-run shot, which plated *Nick Martini*, gave Springfield all of the runs they'd need to salvage the series finale.

Even though he ultimately suffered the loss, Goudeau was able to keep the Naturals within striking distance. He worked 5.2 innings giving up seven hits, the two runs, two walks, while striking out three. The Naturals bullpen welcomed the return of *RHP Reid Redman* to Arvest Ballpark. Redman, whom recently came off the disabled list, appeared in his first game at home and fired 2.1 frames giving up one hit and striking out two before *LHP Tim Hill* worked a scoreless ninth.

*Carlos Garcia* and *Mauricio Ramos* collected the lone hits for Northwest Arkansas. Naturals' second baseman *Corey Toups *went 0-for-3 out of the lead off spot, which snapped his hitting streak at a season-best 12 games.

Tonight's game concluded the Naturals four (4) game homestand. Northwest Arkansas will begin a short four (4) game road series in Tulsa, Oklahoma against the Tulsa Drillers on Sunday, July 17 with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The Drillers will go with *RHP Chase De Jong (9-4, 2.69 ERA) *in the series opener while the Naturals have yet to announce a starter. You can catch all of the live play-by-play action with the *Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly *on your home for Naturals baseball on KQSM 92.1-FM The Ticket at 6:45 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch at 7:05pm from ONEOK Field against the AA Los Angeles Dodgers. Following the conclusion of the four (4) game series with Tulsa, the Naturals will return to Arvest Ballpark to host the Springfield Cardinals from July 21 through July 24.

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.

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 July 17, 2016


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