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TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Naturals Survive Late Rally to Take Series Opener

April 27, 2015 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, Ark. - Northwest Arkansas (8-9) defeated the Springfield Cardinals (5-12) on Monday evening by the score of 5-3. The Naturals took the lead behind some early offense and received another solid pitching performance by starter Glenn Sparkman. Sparkman (2-2, 3.60 ERA) collected the win, as he went six innings giving up only two runs, one earned, on seven hits while striking out six and surrendering only one walk to the Double-A St. Louis Cardinals.

Springfield scored the first run of the game as the first two batters reached against Sparkman. Charlie Tilson led off the game with a single and stole second base and Nick Martini followed that up with an infield single of his own that advanced Tilson to third. Springfield took a 1-0 lead when Tilson scored after Martini got caught stealing and was tagged out during a rundown.

The Naturals took advantage of back to back walks and then Jorge Bonifcacio was hit by a pitch. Alex Liddi, the hero of last night's game, grounded into a double play but Dusty Coleman would come across on the play to tie the game in the bottom of the first inning.

The Naturals took the lead for good in the bottom of the second inning. Bubba Starling led off with his first hit as Natural, a double to left field. Mike Bianucci then doubled and Santiago Nessy singled to give the Naturals 2-1 lead. Terrance Gore capped a two run inning with a single to right field scoring Bianucci to give the Naturals a 2-run lead at 3-1.

Springfield would score again in the top of the third inning, and Northwest Arkansas would go on to score two more runs in the fourth inning to stretch their lead to 5-2 over the Cardinals. In total, the Naturals had eight hits on the evening with Starling and Bianucci collecting multi-hit games while seven out of the Naturals nine starters collected at least one hit.

RHP Mark Peterson would relieve Sparkman, earning the hold, by throwing two scoreless innings allowing one hit with two strikeouts.

Springfield would try to rally late after scoring off a bases loaded walk in the ninth inning, but Malcom Culver retired the final two batters to earn his first save of the season and secure the 5-3 victory for the Naturals. Springfield starter Mike Mayers took the loss working 3.1 innings giving up 5 runs, 4 earned, and now moves to 0-3 on the year with a 7.56 ERA.

Northwest Arkansas continues their series against the Springfield Cardinals, the Double-A St. Louis Cardinals, tomorrow night at Arvest Ballpark. The Naturals will send LHP Jonathan Dziedzic (0-1, 3.55 ERA) to the mound to face RHP Thomas Lee (1-2, 7.71 ERA). It's the first Arvest Two for Tuesday of the 2015 season featuring Buy One, Get One FREE tickets for Arvest customers, select two-for-one deals throughout the ballpark, and Johnsonville Buck-A-Brats located at the Johnsonville Grill Cart down the third base line.

You can catch all live play-by-play action on Tuesday, April 28 with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on your home for the Naturals on 1030 AM KFAY. The Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show begins at 6:50 p.m. leading up to the 7:05 p.m. first pitch.

Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Twitter @nwanaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime for all of our up-to-date information on tickets, groups, promotions, roster, and team information.

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 April 27, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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