Naturals Win Suspended Game, Drop Finale at Midland
June 4, 2017 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
MIDLAND, Texas - Northwest Arkansas completed the six-game road trip with a 3-3 record after defeating the Midland RockHounds this afternoon in the suspended Game 2 by a 9-5 final score; but dropped the rubber-match, 8-2 at Security Bank Ballpark.
The suspended game resumed in the bottom of the eighth inning with left-hander, Sam Selman in to pitch. He inherited a runner at first with one out and retired the next two hitters to complete the inning. Northwest Arkansas (28-26) tacked on three more runs in the ninth inning to secure the 9-5 win.
Mauricio Ramos drove home a pair in the ninth frame with his sixth double of the season and crossed to score on Alfredo Escalera's RBI single into rightfield. Selman notched the final three outs in the ninth inning to earn his third consecutive save and his fifth on the season. Right-hander, Andrew Edwards (1-0, 0.00) tabbed the win.
With the game tied at 5-5 in the top of the eighth, the Naturals capitalized on a wild pitch by Kyle Finnegan to score Humberto Arteaga, taking a 6-5 lead entering the last of the eighth inning.
Edwards struck out the first batter in the home half of the eighth inning before a single by Beau Taylor put a man at first for the RockHounds. Then the heavens opened up with sheets of rain, causing the delay.
The game began with a lead-off triple by Jack Lopez to straight away centerfield. Corey Toups popped the next pitch into short center to plate Lopez and give the Naturals a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
The Naturals tacked on three runs in the second inning after loading the bases. Luis Villegas smacked a three-run doubles into right-centerfield to augment Northwest Arkansas' lead to 4-0.
Right-hander, Corey Ray, got the start and pitched 6.0 innings, allowed five runs on eight hits with a couple walks and left trailing 5-4.
Northwest Arkansas got the starter off the hook by tying the score at 5-5 in the top of the seventh. Logan Moon led off the seventh with a sharp single to left field and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Villegas. Lopez came up and dropped a broken bat single into right to plate Moon to tie the score at 5-5.
In the finale, Midland jumped out early with a four runs in the first three innings before the Naturals cut the deficit in half in the top of the sixth. Ramos was plunked by a Grant Holmes (4-5, 5.50) pitch and raced from first to third on a single by Arteaga. Ramos came home to score on a wild pitch and Arteaga scored on a single by Donnie Dewees to cut the margin to 4-2.
Midland scored one in the sixth, two in the seventh and one more in the eighth inning en route to 8-2 series-clinching victory on Sunday afternoon.
The Naturals will enjoy an off-day on Monday, June 5 before opening a pivotal five-game series against the Springfield Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals) on Tuesday night at Arvest Ballpark.
Right-hander, Zach Lovvorn (3-3, 4.88) will take the hill in the opener for the Naturals against right-hander, right-hander, Zac Gallen (0-0, -.--) for the Cardinals.
Join the Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly, for a 6:45 p.m. pregame show leading up to first pitch on the flagship station of the Naturals, 92.1-FM, the Ticket.
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.
Texas League Stories from June 4, 2017
- Missed Opportunities Hurt Riders in 3-1 Loss to Travs - Frisco RoughRiders
- RockHounds Take Series Finale from Naturals, 8-2 - Midland RockHounds
- Missions Avoid the Sweep with Sunday Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Drillers Finish Homestand with Walk-Off Victory - Tulsa Drillers
- Drillers Ninth-Inning Wallop Wins Series - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Naturals Win Suspended Game, Drop Finale at Midland - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Saturday's Game Suspended Due to Rain - Midland RockHounds
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