TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Springfield salvages last game of series

Published on April 30, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, AR- Thanks to three home runs, the Springfield Cardinals were able to avoid the four game sweep and defeat the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 6-2 Thursday. The Cardinals' five run fifth inning proved to be too much for the Naturals to overcome as Springfield snaps the Naturals' three-game win streak.

Northwest Arkansas was able to strike first after Jeff Howell singled to center field to bring in Jordan Parraz. The Naturals would rack up 10 hits, but were limited to just one more run on the night as they stranded 11 runners over the course of the evening.

Tyler Herron (1-1) recorded a quality start for the Cardinals as he lasted six innings and allowed two earned runs. Herron gave up seven hits, one walk, and picked up three strike outs. This was Herron's first win against the Naturals in his four starts spanning back to last season. In Herron's previous three starts, he allowed 11 earned runs.

Springfield (12-8) turned the game over to the bullpen in the seventh after Herron's solid six innings of work. Eddie Degerman turned in 1 2/3 scoreless innings before handing the ball off to closer Francisco Samuel. Samuel was electric on the mound, striking out all four batters that he faced to earn his Texas League leading sixth save.

Matt Kniginyzky (0-2) started for the Naturals was touched for six earned runs and nine hits during his five innings of work.

The Cardinals offense, lead by Daryl Jones and Andrew Brown, exploded for a five run fifth inning to break a 1-1 tie. Brett Wallace and Jim Rapoport each had solo home runs off Kniginyzky. Mark Hamilton's first home run of the season was a two run shot to right field. Jones and Brown both collected three hits on the evening.

For the Naturals (10-10), Kurt Mertins had three hits and a walk and picked up his seventh run batted in of the season. Brian McFall added two hits and Jeff Howell knocked in his fifth run of the season. Josh Johnson and Jordan Parraz scored the Naturals two runs.

Left handed pitcher Dan Cevette, who was activated from the disabled list prior to the game, made his Naturals debut on Thursday night. Cevette shut down the Cards for two straight innings, only allowing one hit. Cevette signed with the Royals organization as a minor league free agent from the Cleveland Indians, where he was a 3rd round draft pick in 2002.

Cevette took the roster spot of Blake Johnson who was placed on the 7-Day disabled list thanks to a blister on his throwing hand. Johnson was placed on the DL retroactive to April 29th.

Friday the Naturals will welcome the Arkansas Travelers to town for a four game series. The Naturals will send right-hander Dan Cortes (0-3, 6.23) to the mound against North Little Rock's lefty Trevor Reckling (1-0, 0.00). Game time is 7:05 P.M.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale. The Naturals have a toll-free ticket hotline (1-877-444-2637) for fans to purchase Naturals tickets. Our website, nwanaturals.com offers fans the opportunity to purchase tickets online and avoid lines at the ticket windows by printing their tickets at home or at the office.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from April 30, 2009


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