TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Thunder Chickens Shutout Drillers in Series Opener

Published on May 20, 2016 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, Ark. - Reprising their role as the Thunder Chickens for the only time in 2016, Northwest Arkansas (19-21) received a tremendous pitching effort out of the combination of two veterans, Benino Pruneda, Jr. and Kevin McCarthy, and a couple of newcomers, Evan Beal and Kyle Bartsch, to shutout the Tulsa Drillers (18-22) by the score of 2-0.

In a spot start for Northwest Arkansas, RHP Benino Pruneda, Jr. gave the Thunder Chickens a few strong innings to start the game. The righty, whom normally works out of the bullpen, gave up one hit and struck out five in 3.2 innings of work.  Newcomers RHP Evan Beal (1-0) and LHP Kyle Bartsch made their debuts and followed the lead of Pruneda by combining for 4.0 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Clinging to a 1-0 lead in the top of the eighth, Northwest Arkansas' skipper Vance Wilson turned to RHP Kevin McCarthy (S, 7) to end a Drillers threat. The big right-hander worked out of a bases loaded jam with the help of a sensational running catch by right fielder Orlando Calixte to rob an extra-base hit and end the frame. McCarthy then worked a 1-2-3 ninth to record his Texas League leading seventh save of the year.

The Thunder Chickens manufactured a run against Tulsa's Brock Stewart (1-2) in the bottom of the third as Logan Moon doubled to begin the frame and moved to third on a well-placed groundout to the right side by Jack Lopez. Northwest Arkansas would take advantage as Ramon Torres put Northwest Arkansas in front 1-0 with a sacrifice fly to left field. The offense would add an insurance run in the eighth on another sacrifice fly, this time by catcher Zane Evans.

Outfielders Terrance Gore and Moon collected multi-hit games while Torres and Evans each recorded a RBI. The win moves Northwest Arkansas ahead of Tulsa and into sole possession of second place in the Texas League North.

Northwest Arkansas will continue their four (4) game series against the Tulsa Drillers (Double-A Los Angeles Dodgers) tomorrow night - Saturday, May 21 - with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Saturday night is a Post-Game Fireworks Spectacular with Guilty Pleasure Music presented by Cobb-Vantress featuring Saturday Happy Hour and half price drinks in The Bullpen from 4:35 p.m. to 5:35 p.m. The Drillers will send RHP Jeremy Kehrt to the mound for his first start of 2016 with Tulsa while the Naturals will counter with LHP Eric Skoglund (1-1, 4.93 ERA). You can catch the live play-by-play action with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on your home for Naturals baseball on AM-1590, The Ticket 2 at 5:45 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading to first pitch at 6:05 p.m. from Arvest Ballpark.

Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Twitter @NWANaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime and #CrowntoCrown for all of our up-to-date information on the Season Nine of Naturals Baseball, tickets, groups, promotions, roster, season standings, player statistics, and updates on Naturals alumni in the Major Leagues.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from May 20, 2016


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