Naturals Walk-Off in Game 2; Split Doubleheader
June 7, 2017 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
Northwest Arkansas remains 2.0 games back in the race for the Texas League North Division 1st Half Title
SPRINGDALE, Ark - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals (29-28) walked off winners in Game 2 to split a doubleheader against the Springfield Cardinals (31-26) at Arvest Ballpark on Wednesday night. The Naturals dropped the first game of the twin-bill by a 5-2 final before rallying to take the night cap, 5-4. As a result, Northwest Arkansas remains only 2.0 games back of the Cardinals in the race for the First Half Texas League North Division Title with only 12 more games to go as the first half ends on June 19.
Game 1 - Springfield Cardinals (31-25) 5, Northwest Arkansas Naturals (28-28) 2
Springfield raced out to an early advantage in Game 1 of the doubleheader against Naturals' starter LHP Emilio Ogando (L, 3-3). After a leadoff walk and a double by Magneuris Sierra, the Cardinals got their first run on a sacrifice fly by Adolis Garcia. With two outs, the visitors would plate three more runs on a RBI single by Jacob Wilson and a two-run home run by Alex Mejia.
The Cardinals would add an insurance run to take a 5-0 lead on an Anthony Garcia run-scoring single in the fifth. In the home half of the frame, the Naturals would score their only runs of the game on a two-run single by Mauricio Ramos. Ramos led the offensive attack for Northwest Arkansas with the two RBIs while Luis Villegas collected a multi-hit game in the loss.
The early four run cushion was more than enough for RHP Dakota Hudson (W, 4-2) as the Springfield starter went the full 7.0 innings to collect his fourth win on the season. The former first round draft pick in 2016 out of Mississippi State limited the Northwest Arkansas offense to only two runs on six hits and struck out two while lowering his ERA to 2.98 on the year.
Game 2 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals (29-28) 5, Springfield Cardinals (31-26) 4
Trailing 4-3 entering the bottom of the seventh, Northwest Arkansas needed a rally to salvage the split to avoid dropping to 4.0 games back in the division race. The Naturals got what they needed with some clutch, two out offense in the frame. With pinch runner Carlos Diaz on first, Donnie Dewees, Jr. extended the rally with a single to put runners at the corners. The hot-hitting Humberto Arteaga followed with an infield single of his own to plate Diaz, which tied the game at 4-4. After a walk to Logan Moon loaded the bases, Alfredo Escalera chopped a 3-1 pitch up the middle for a game-winning, walk-off RBI infield single.
Like the first game, Springfield took an early lead on Northwest Arkansas; however, Game 2 would be different. The Cardinals scored a run in the second on defensive miscue then plated another in the third on a sacrifice fly by Jacob Wilson for the 2-0 advantage. The Naturals though would fight back and take the lead in the home half of the third by way of the long ball. Natural newcomer Nick Dini got it started with his first Double-A home run, a solo shot to left field, to make it a 2-1 game. Then with one out and Corey Toups on second, Samir Duenez launched a towering two-run shot into the home bullpen in right to put the Naturals in front, 3-2. The big fly by Duenez gives him a team-high eight on the year to go along with his team-leading 38 RBI.
Northwest Arkansas cranked out 14 hits compared to eight for Springfield as seven Naturals collected hits and six of those were multi-hit games. Dini had a great game offensively as the backstop went 3-for-3 with the homer in his Arvest Ballpark debut.
LHP Jake Kalish got the spot start for the Naturals and was solid in his 4.0 innings of work as he limited the Cardinals to two runs on five hits. Neither Kalish nor the Springfield starter would factor into the decision as LHP Tim Hill (W, 1-2) earned the win by striking out five in 2.1 scoreless innings of relief while RHP Pedro Echemendia (L, 1-2) blew the save and took the loss.
Northwest Arkansas will continue their long homestand tomorrow night - Thursday, June 8 - with Game 4 of this 5-game set against the Springfield Cardinals (Double-A St. Louis Cardinals) with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Tomorrow night is a Buck Night & Thirsty Thursday presented by Crain Buick GMC of Springdale. The Naturals will send RHP Corey Ray (3-3, 5.14 ERA) to the mound while the Cardinals will counter with RHP Matt Pearce (5-3, 2.19 ERA). Catch the live play-by-play action with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on KQSM - 92.1 The Ticket 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 Season 10 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.
-Naturals-
Springfield Cardinals (31-25) 5, Northwest Arkansas Naturals (28-28) 2
June 7, 2017
1234567RHE
Springfield 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 8 0
NW Arkansas 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 6 1
SpringfieldABRHRBIBBSOLOBAVG
Mercado, CF 3 1 0 0 1 0 1 .330
Sierra, LF 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .348
Garcia, RF 3 1 0 1 0 0 1 .278
Garcia, A, DH 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .320
Wilson, J, 3B 3 1 1 1 0 1 1 .212
Mejia, A, SS 3 1 1 2 0 1 0 .257
Grayson, 1B 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 .243
Lino, C 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .263
Thon, 2B 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 .253
Hudson, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Totals 28 5 8 5 1 3 9 .261
BATTING
2B: Sierra (4, Ogando).
HR: Mejia, A (3, 1st inning off Ogando, 1 on, 2 out).
TB: Grayson 2; Mejia, A 4; Garcia, A; Sierra 3; Thon; Wilson, J.
RBI: Garcia (26); Wilson, J (19); Mejia, A 2 (23); Garcia, A (27).
2-out RBI: Wilson, J; Mejia, A 2; Garcia, A.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Thon.
SF: Garcia.
Team RISP: 2-for-4.
Team LOB: 4.
NW ArkansasABRHRBIBBSOLOBAVG
Toups, 2B 3 1 1 0 1 0 2 .290
Lopez, Jac, 3B 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .297
Duenez, 1B 3 0 0 0 1 0 3 .249
Ramos, DH 2 0 1 2 0 0 2 .258
Moon, RF 3 0 0 0 0 1 4 .248
Arteaga, SS 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .303
Dewees Jr., CF 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 .237
Escalera, LF 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .272
Villegas, Lu, C 3 1 2 0 0 0 0 .261
Ogando, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Rico, L, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Totals 27 2 6 2 2 2 15 .270
BATTING
TB: Lopez, Jac; Dewees Jr.; Ramos; Toups; Villegas, Lu 2.
RBI: Ramos 2 (25).
2-out RBI: Ramos 2.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Moon; Toups.
Team RISP: 2-for-8.
Team LOB: 7.
BASERUNNING
SB: Toups (2, 2nd base off Hudson/Lino).
FIELDING
E: Toups (1, throw).
SpringfieldIPHRERBBSOHRERA
Hudson (W, 4-2) 7.0 6 2 2 2 2 0 2.98
Totals 7.0 6 2 2 2 2 0 3.68
NW ArkansasIPHRERBBSOHRERA
Ogando (L, 3-3) 6.0 8 5 4 1 3 1 2.95
Rico, L 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7.52
Totals 7.0 8 5 4 1 3 1 4.64
Game Scores: Hudson 62; Ogando 40.
HBP: Ramos (by Hudson).
Pitches-strikes: Hudson 91-58; Ogando 92-59; Rico, L 13-7.
Groundouts-flyouts: Hudson 13-2; Ogando 4-5; Rico, L 2-1.
Batters faced: Hudson 30; Ogando 27; Rico, L 3.
Umpires: HP: Jon Felczak. 1B: Kyle Wallace. 3B: Nate Tomlinson.
Weather: 78 degrees, clear.
Wind: 6 mph, L to R.
First pitch: 5:04 PM.
T: 1:55.
Venue: Arvest Ballpark.
June 7, 2017
Compiled by MLB Advanced Media
Northwest Arkansas Naturals (29-28) 5, Springfield Cardinals (31-26) 4
June 7, 2017
1234567RHE
Springfield 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 4 8 0
NW Arkansas 0 0 3 0 0 0 2 5 14 1
SpringfieldABRHRBIBBSOLOBAVG
Mercado, CF 4 0 1 0 0 1 3 .329
Sierra, LF-RF 4 2 2 0 0 1 1 .360
Garcia, RF 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .276
Garcia, A, LF 2 1 2 0 1 0 0 .331
Wilson, J, 3B 2 0 1 1 0 0 1 .215
Mejia, A, SS 3 1 1 1 0 1 3 .259
Thon, DH 4 0 0 0 0 2 4 .242
Diekroeger, 1B 2 0 1 0 2 1 0 .250
Grayson, 1B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .243
Jenner, C 2 0 0 1 1 1 1 .233
Turgeon, 2B 3 0 0 0 0 1 6 .150
McKinney, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Baker, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Hawkins, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Beck, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Echemendia, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Totals 27 4 8 3 4 9 20 .262
BATTING
2B: Diekroeger (1, Kalish).
TB: Mejia, A; Sierra 2; Diekroeger 2; Garcia, A 2; Mercado; Wilson, J.
RBI: Wilson, J (20); Mejia, A (24); Jenner (6).
2-out RBI: Jenner.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Mercado 2; Thon; Turgeon 2; Mejia, A.
SAC: Jenner.
SF: Wilson, J; Mejia, A.
Team RISP: 1-for-10.
Team LOB: 10.
BASERUNNING
SB: Sierra (2, 2nd base off Edwards/Dini); Garcia, A (1, 3rd base off Edwards/Dini).
NW ArkansasABRHRBIBBSOLOBAVG
Toups, 3B 4 1 1 0 0 1 3 .286
Lopez, Jac, 2B 4 0 2 0 0 2 1 .302
Duenez, DH 4 1 2 2 0 1 2 .253
1-Diaz, C, PR-DH 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .174
Ramos, 1B 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 .254
Dewees Jr., CF 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 .242
Arteaga, SS 4 0 2 1 0 0 2 .307
Moon, RF 3 0 0 0 1 1 1 .242
Escalera, LF 4 0 2 1 0 1 1 .276
Dini, C 3 1 3 1 0 0 0 .583
Kalish, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Edwards, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Hill, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Totals 34 5 14 5 1 6 13 .273
1-Ran for Duenez in the 7th.
BATTING
HR: Dini (1, 3rd inning off McKinney, 0 on, 0 out); Duenez (8, 3rd inning off McKinney, 1 on, 1 out).
TB: Arteaga 2; Dini 6; Duenez 5; Lopez, Jac 2; Toups; Dewees Jr. 2; Escalera 2.
RBI: Dini (1); Duenez 2 (38); Arteaga (15); Escalera (24).
2-out RBI: Arteaga; Escalera.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Escalera; Toups; Arteaga.
Team RISP: 3-for-7.
Team LOB: 7.
FIELDING
E: Toups (2, fielding).
SpringfieldIPHRERBBSOHRERA
McKinney 3.0 5 3 3 0 1 2 2.77
Baker 1.0 3 0 0 0 2 0 2.33
Hawkins 0.2 1 0 0 0 1 0 3.92
Beck 1.1 1 0 0 0 1 0 3.52
Echemendia (BS, 2)(L, 1-2) 0.2 4 2 2 1 1 0 4.33
Totals 6.2 14 5 5 1 6 2 3.72
NW ArkansasIPHRERBBSOHRERA
Kalish 4.0 5 2 1 1 3 0 4.50
Edwards 0.2 2 2 2 1 1 0 13.50
Hill (W, 1-2) 2.1 1 0 0 2 5 0 7.81
Totals 7.0 8 4 3 4 9 0 4.63
Baker pitched to 1 batter in the 5th.
Game Scores: McKinney 28; Kalish 49.
WP: McKinney 2.
HBP: Wilson, J (by Edwards).
Pitches-strikes: McKinney 54-35; Baker 23-17; Hawkins 12-9; Beck 16-12; Echemendia 31-19; Kalish 57-39; Edwards 37-25; Hill 40-25.
Groundouts-flyouts: McKinney 4-2; Baker 0-0; Hawkins 0-0; Beck 2-1; Echemendia 0-0; Kalish 5-2; Edwards 0-0; Hill 1-1.
Batters faced: McKinney 14; Baker 6; Hawkins 3; Beck 5; Echemendia 7; Kalish 19; Edwards 6; Hill 10.
Inherited runners-scored: Hawkins 1-0; Beck 2-0; Hill 3-1.
Umpires: HP: Kyle Wallace. 1B: Nate Tomlinson. 3B: Jon Felczak.
Weather: 77 degrees, sunny.
Wind: 7 mph, In from CF.
First pitch: 7:38 PM.
T: 2:53.
Att: 3,133.
Venue: Arvest Ballpark.
June 7, 2017
Compiled by MLB Advanced Media
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