Northwest Arkansas Drops Finale to Springfield
June 9, 2019 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGDALE, Ark - The Naturals won the series but were unable to complete the sweep of the Cardinals as Northwest Arkansas (28-34) drops the series and homestand finale to Springfield (24-39) on Sunday by a 10-2 final. Today was the final game between the two clubs at Arvest Ballpark this year where the Naturals finished with a 13-2 record against the Cardinals.
Like in Saturday night's contest, Springfield jumped out in front with a run in the first as Randy Arozarena worked a two-out walk before scoring on a misplayed ball in centerfield by Northwest Arkansas, which gave the Redbirds an early 1-0 advantage. The Cardinals would then add another run to their total in the second on an opposite field home run by Johan Mieses.
Northwest Arkansas would make use of their speed to cut the deficit to 2-1 in the third. With two outs in the frame, D.J. Burt walked then stole second and third before coming into score on a wild pitch by Angel Rondon to make it a one-run game.
Control issues plagued Naturals' starter Ofreidy Gomez in the fourth , which resulted in two hit-by-pitches that gave the Cardinals runners at first and second before Zach Kirtley came through with a two-out, RBI double to give his team a 3-1 lead.
The game remained 3-1 into the seventh when Springfield would stretch it out to a four-run lead. Kirtley doubled to left and advanced to third on a single by Alberto Triunfel before Arozarena brought home both with a double to make it a 5-1 game.
Northwest Arkansas would mount a final charge in the eighth as Khalil Lee walked, stole second and scored on a single by Anderson Miller. After Taylor Featherston worked a walk and a passed ball put runners at second and third, Cardinals' reliever Junior Fernandez (S, 3) got Travis Jones swinging to end the inning and the threat to keep the visitor's lead at 5-2.
In the ninth, Springfield would erase any doubt of the outcome as they would go on to score five runs on six hits and an error.
Angel Rondon (W, 1-0) earned his first Double-A win for Springfield as he struck out seven in 5.0 innings of one-run ball.
Meanwhile, Gomez (L, 3-4) took the loss for Northwest Arkansas but threw well as he gave up just three runs, two earned, in a 6.0 innings while striking out six and walking just one. Out of the bullpen, Emilio Ogando gave up a couple of runs in his 1.1 innings while Major League veteran Drew Storen registered another strong outing as he retired the only two batters he faced.
Today's game concluded the 7-game homestand. Following a league-wide OFF day on Monday, Northwest Arkansas will head down to Amarillo, Texas for the first time to take on the Sod Poodles (Double-A San Diego Padres) for a 3-game series before traveling to Frisco to square off against the RoughRiders (Double-A Texas Rangers) for the final 4-game series of the road trip. The Naturals will return to Arvest Ballpark on Monday, June 17th for another 7-game homestand through Sunday, June 23rd.
Catch the live play-by-play on Tuesday night with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on KQSM - 92.1 The Ticket starting at 6:45 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading to first pitch at 7:05 p.m. against the Amarillo Sod Poodles.
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.
• Discuss this story on the Texas League message board...
Texas League Stories from June 9, 2019
- Sod Poodles Blank Hooks for Series Split - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- Cardinals Pound Naturals, 10-2, to Close Road Trip - Springfield Cardinals
- Sod Poodles Crush Hooks' First Place Hopes - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Clinch First Half Division Title - Arkansas Travelers
- Northwest Arkansas Drops Finale to Springfield - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Lopes' Early Homer Highlights Tough Loss in Midland - Frisco RoughRiders
- Arkansas Clinches First-Half Title with Win over the Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Javier, McKee Dominate Amarillo in 1-0 Nail-Biter - Corpus Christi Hooks
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.
