TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Offense Explodes for 15 Hits in Naturals 6-4 Win

Published on June 26, 2014 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


MIDLAND, Texas -- It was a gritty performance by the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (29-49/4-4) to bounce back to defeat the Midland RockHounds (43-34/5-2) on Thursday night by a final of 6-4 at Security Bank Ballpark. The Naturals improve to .500 in the second half and hand Midland just their second loss in the second half.

The game began with excellent starting pitching which has become customary for the Naturals starting staff. RHP Andy Ferguson (6-6, 3.40) twirled six scoreless frames while working out of trouble during the early innings, but polished off his start retiring the final nine he faced. The Benton, Ark. native allowed just three hits, walked two and struck out four in his six frames of work.

Meanwhile, the offense delivered the necessary support of the starter with Kansas City Royals No. 18 prospect Lane Adams leading the way. The 2014 Mid-Season All-Star knocked his seventh home run of the season - a two run blast to put the Naturals ahead 2-0 in the third. Adams delivered again in the seventh inning driving a double to the right-centerfield wall to score Justin Trapp from first extending Northwest Arkansas advantage to 4-0.

Recently promoted Royals No. 7 prospect Hunter Dozier tallied his first three-hit performance of his Double-A career and drove in a run in the third inning; while Royals No. 14 prospect Cheslor Cuthbert tallied his fifth straight two-hit game and elongated his hit streak to nine games. Cuthbert finished his night 2-for-5 with an RBI and was robbed of a home run in the ninth inning by Midland right fielder Chad Oberacker.

Trapp chipped in a perfect 3-for-3 night with a run batted in while Jorge Bonifacio roped his 15th double of the season. Mid-Season All-Star Andrew Triggs notched his 10th save of the year tying him for fourth in the league in the category.

With the Naturals win on Thursday night, it sets up the rubber match on Friday night at Security Bank Ballpark. Northwest Arkansas will send another hot arm to the hill in RHP J.C. Sulbaran (4-5, 3.16) against RockHounds' RHP Chris Jensen (4-6, 3.74). Sulbaran is 2-1 with a 1.85 ERA in the month of June while making four starts.

You can catch all live play-by-play action with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on your home for the Naturals 92.1 the Ticket for a 6:45p.m. Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to the 7:00p.m. first pitch.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from June 26, 2014


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