TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Naturals win sixth straight Friday night

Published on July 22, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, AR - Salvador Perez homered and Jake Odorizzi pitched 6 2/3 solid frames as the Naturals topped the Springfield Cardinals by an 11-6 final Friday night in the opener of a seven-game homestand at Arvest Ballpark.

The win was the sixth straight for Northwest Arkansas (14-13, 49-45), who came into the day in a three-way tie for first place in the Texas League North Division. Perez, Odorizzi, and company made sure they wouldn't lose any ground.

The game was scoreless until the fourth when the Naturals were able to put up a four spot on Springfield starter John Gast (1-1). After a lead off double by Jamie Romak, the first hit off of Gast, Jeff Bianchi sacrificed the runner to third. Anthony Seratelli followed with an RBI triple off the left field fence to plate Romak making it 1-0. A fielder's choice and a walk loaded the bases for Mario Lisson who doubled to left to bring the score to 3-0. A sacrifice fly from Paulo Orlando capped the scoring for the frame with the Naturals in front 4-0.

Gast issued back to back two out walks in the fifth and the free passes came back to hurt the lefty as Perez blasted a three-run homer to left center, his seventh of the season, making it a 7-0 lead for the Naturals.

Springfield's offense was held in check by Odorizzi (2-0) until the seventh inning when Daryl Jones led off with a double and Jim Rapoport singled to right with two outs to plate the first run of the game for the Cardinals (10-17, 42-55). Patrick Keating came in out of the bullpen and walked Ryan Jackson before Matt Adams launched his 22nd homer run of the season, a three run shot, to bring Springfield to within three runs.

Odorizzi went 6 2/3, allowed seven hits and two runs. He only walked one batter, the second one he faced, and fanned seven to earn his second Double-A victory.

Northwest Arkansas tagged Springfield reliever Kevin Thomas in the seventh. Thomas walked a batter before allowing back to back singles to Anthony Seratelli and Perez plating three runs to put the Naturals up 10-4. After a strikeout, Mario Lisson singled before Thomas walked two straight batters forcing in another run to bring the tally to 11-4. Thomas would strikeout Wil Myers though to end the inning stranding the bases loaded.

In the ninth, the Cardinals added two runs to their tally as Ryan Jackson delivered and RBI single to center and Matt Adams plated a run with a fielder's choice to make the final 11-6. Adams finished with four RBI on the night.

Edgar Garcia (0-0, 0.00), who made his Naturals debut in relief Monday night, will make his first start for Northwest Arkansas on Saturday night. He will do so against Springfield right-hander Scott Schneider (4-8, 6.01), who gave up seven runs in just 2 1/3 innings against Tulsa his last time out. Game time is 7 P.M, and the broadcast can be heard on ESPN 92.1 The Ticket. It can also be viewed on the internet on milb.tv (subscription required).

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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



Texas League Stories from July 22, 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