TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Three-Run Fourth Propels Naturals to Series Finale Win

Published on August 13, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, AR - Jorge Bonifacio stepped to the plate and launched a solo home run, his 16th of the year, in the bottom of the fourth inning to jump start a key two-out rally and a three-run frame that propelled the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (17-29, 57-59) to a series finale victory over the San Antonio Missions (20-27, 51-66) by the score of 3-1 on Thursday night at Arvest Ballpark.

Locked in a scoreless game, the Naturals offense mounted the key two-out rally against Missions' starter Casey Kelly in the fourth inning. Northwest Arkansas' slugging right-fielder Jorge Bonifacio, ranked as the Royals No. 9 prospect heading into the season by Baseball America, came to the plate with two-outs and drove a 2-2 pitch over the wall in left field for a solo shot. It was his 16th home run on the year and that total is good for second best in the Texas League. The home run was also Bonifacio's first since he homered in a game at Midland on July 6, which broke a streak of 125 straight at bats without a long ball. Following the homer, the Naturals offense put two more runs on the board behind an RBI single by Frank Schwindel and a bases loaded, RBI walk by Ramon Torres.

The early 3-0 lead would give Naturals' starter LHP Jonathan Dziedzic (8-6, 3.12 ERA) all of the run support he'd need as he'd cruise against the AA Padres. The crafty lefty earned the win as he only gave up one run on four hits while striking out six in 7.0 innings of work and 98 total pitches. The lone blemish by Dziedzic would come in the form of Alberth Martinez, the reigning Texas League Player of the Week, as he hit a solo home run on a 2-0 pitch deep over the left field wall to cut the lead to 3-1 in the sixth. With another rally mounting in the seventh, Dziedzic would induce a key double-play ball with runners on first and second and one-out to end the Missions' threat. On the season, Dziedzic leads Northwest Arkansas in a number of categories including wins (8) and strikeouts (83).

The Naturals bullpen continued their solid work in August. Entering the game tonight, the bullpen as a unit has only given up 14 earned runs over the course of 40.0 innings this month for a 3.14 ERA. RHP Kevin McCarthy (H, 2) and RHP Mark Peterson (S, 1) continued that trend as the two relief pitchers combined for 2.0 scoreless innings to end the game. McCarthy picked up his second hold of the season while Peterson registered his first save. RHP Casey Kelly (1-7, 3.97 ERA) took the loss for San Antonio.

With the victory in tonight's series finale, Northwest Arkansas improves to an incredible 23-8 on the year in the final game of a series.  The 6-game homestand rolls on tomorrow night as Northwest Arkansas will welcome the Corpus Christi Hooks, the Double-A Houston Astros, on Faith & Family Night presented by Sam's Furniture featuring a pre-game concert and a post-game Fireworks Spectacular.

RHP Luke Farrell (2-3, 3.39 ERA) will get the ball in Game 1 against the First Half Champions from the South Division and he'll be opposed by LHP Brian Holmes (5-5, 4.57 ERA). Tune in with the Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly, at 7:00 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pre-Game Show leading up to first pitch at 7:15 p.m. on the Naturals' flagship station KQSM 92.1 - FM, the Ticket.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from August 13, 2015


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