TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Naturals Wait out Rain, Outlast Midland

Published on August 23, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, AR - The Naturals' bullpen brigade bent, slightly, but didn't break as the offense came to life after a lengthy rain delay and beat the Midland RockHounds by a 7-6 final on Monday night at Arvest Ballpark.

Northwest Arkansas (31-25, 66-57) completed their six-game homestand against tough South Division foes with a 5-1 record and, after both the second-place Travelers and third-place Tulsa Drillers lost Monday, now head into a four-game series at Hammons Field sitting very much in the drivers seat with respect to their playoff chances.

Down 2-0 in the bottom of the second, the Naturals got two runs in the bottom of the second to tie things up and then had a four-run third off Midland starter Gary Daley (6-5) to take a 6-2 lead. They tacked on a seventh run in the fourth that ended up being the cushion they needed as Naturals' starter Chris Dwyer, who endured some high-stress innings early, wilted in the fifth and needed the bullpen to pick him up.

After Midland (29-27, 56-70) took the early lead in the second on a two-run homer from Adam Heether, the Naturals loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the frame. Anthony Seratelli was plunked by a pitch from Daley, Wil Myers drew a walk, and Paulo Orlando reached when Daley fielded his bunt and threw wild of first base. Mario Lisson followed by grounding into a twin-killing which scored Seratelli and Ben Theriot later drove in Wil Myers with an RBI single.

Christian Colon led off the fourth with a single and scored on the proceeding double from Jeff Bianchi to put the Naturals up 3-2. Bianchi moved up 90 feet on a wild pitch and scored on a one-out RBI groundout by Seratelli. Myers then drew his second walk and Orlando followed with a single to put runners at the corners with two out. Mario Lisson then reached on an error by Midland third baseman Adam Heether as Myers scored to make it 5-2.

Orlando then scored on the back end of a double steal when Midland backstop Ryan Ortiz threw off-line attempting to get Lisson at second while the nimble Orlando, safe at third, got up and was able to score with relative ease.

But it was the next run that ended up getting the Naturals, up 6-2, in position to win the ballgame as Myers provided an RBI double to extend the lead to 7-2.

Midland pitching coach Don Schulze got an early pass to the showers during the inning when he was ejected by home plate umpire Greg Stanzak. Schulze was angry that umpires had granted time to the Naturals' Anthony Seratelli, who stepped outside the box and asked for time prior to the first pitch of his fourth-inning at-bat against Daley (6-5). Daley, already frustrated by a couple of earlier calls, committed a balk right after Schulze's ejection, putting what ended up being the winning run into scoring postion.

Jason Christian led off the fifth with a single for Midland and Tyler Ladendorf followed with a walk, one of four issued on the evening by Dwyer. Matt Sulentic followed with a soft single to load the bases and that was it for Dwyer. Buddy Baumann came on from the Naturals' pen and allowed a two-run double to Grant Green and later, a two-run single by Michael Spina which cut the Naturals lead to 7-6.

But Baumann (4-2) was able to settle in after that, working around a single in the sixth and putting himself in position to get a win when Blaine Hardy retired nine of the ten men he faced during a stellar three-inning save, his seventh on the season for the Naturals.

The game began with a one hour and forty-seven minute delay at the outset, as both teams waited out intermittent showers all afternoon on a getaway day for both clubs.

The Naturals now head to Springfield for a four-game road trip at Hammons Field against the Springfield Cardinals, who are in last place in the second half for the Texas League North Division. In a matchup of highly rated prospects, the Naturals will send right-hander Jake Odorizzi (4-2, 4.65) to the mound opposite Springfield right-hander Shelby Miller (7-3, 2.97). Game time is 7 P.M, and the broadcast can be heard on ESPN 92.1 the Ticket.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Texas League Stories from August 23, 2011


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.

OurSports Central