TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Northwest Arkansas Rallies Late But Drops Series to Amarillo

Published on July 30, 2019 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, Ark - Northwest Arkansas rallies with two late runs but it would not be enough as the Naturals (44-61/13-24) drop the finale to the Sod Poodles (56-50/22-16) by a 3-2 final. As a result, Amarillo claims the 4-game series with three wins.

Trailing 3-0 in the eighth, Northwest Arkansas made their charge against Amarillo. Outfielder Kort Peterson worked a lead-off walk against reliever Evan Miller (H, 1) and then advanced to third on a single by Freddy Fermin. Angelo Castellano followed with a RBI single to left field to put the Naturals on the board. D.J. Burt moved the runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt before Keven Merrell singled off the leg of Miller to score Fermin to make it a one-run game. With one out and runners at the corners, Miller got Gabriel Cancel to pop out and Emmanuel Rivera to ground into a fielder's choice to end the threat.

After Holden Capps held the Sod Poodles without a run in the ninth, the Naturals had one final chance; however, Amarillo turned to closer David Bednar (S, 8) and he was up to the task as he retired Northwest Arkansas in order to end the game.

Amarillo jumped out in front of Northwest Arkansas in the series finale with a quick run in the first and two more in the third off Naturals' starting pitcher J.C. Cloney. Buddy Reed opened the game with a walk before stealing second then scoring on a two-out triple by Owen Miller. Up 1-0 in the third, Taylor Kohlwey led off the frame with a double and scored on a fielder's choice by Rodrigo Orozco before Kyle Overstreet brought him home with an infield single to shortstop to give Amarillo the 3-0 lead.

Cloney (L, 2-4) gave up three but kept his team in it as the left-hander scattered six hits and struck out four through 4.0 innings. The bullpen did their job in relief of Cloney as Conner Greene struck out four over 2.2 scoreless frames before giving way to right-hander Andres Sotillet, whom fired 1.1 scoreless innings before Capps did his job in the top of the ninth.

The Naturals offense struggled against Ronald Bolanos (W, 5-3) as he allowed five hits and struck out seven in 7.0 shutout innings. On the night, Northwest Arkansas recorded eight hits with Khalil Lee and Fermin leading the way with multi-hit games.

Tonight's game concluded the homestand for Northwest Arkansas. The Naturals will enjoy a league-wide OFF day on Wednesday before opening up a 7-game road trip in Tulsa where they'll face the Drillers (Double-A Los Angeles Dodgers) for a 4-game series before visiting the Arkansas Travelers (Double-A Seattle Mariners) for the final 3-game set of the trip.

Catch the 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 leading up to first pitch from ONEOK Field at 7:05 p.m. against the Double-A Los Angeles Dodgers. Northwest Arkansas will return to Arvest Ballpark on Thursday, August 8th for a 4-game homestand through Sunday, August 11th.

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, upcoming promotions, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from July 30, 2019


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