Tough Luck Stings Natuarls in 1-0 Loss
July 30, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - It was an early omen in the top of the first inning when lead-off man *Carlos Garica's* line-out was bobbled and recollected in the air by Cardinals' shortstop, *Juan Herrera*, that the breaks were not going to go the way of Northwest Arkansas. It held true as the Naturals fall in Game 3 by a 1-0 final to the Springfield Cardinals on Saturday night at Hammons Field.
Right-hander, *Yender Caramo (2-5, 2.52) *lowered his earned run average in his 5.2 innings of work on Saturday night from 2.60 to 2.52, allowing one-run while striking out a career-best eight hitters in his third start for the Naturals. The 24-year old left-hander allowed a bloop single to *Luke Voit* to lead-off the second inning.
After Voit advanced to second on a ground out, the big Cardinals' first baseman barely beat the throw of *Alfredo Escalera* from right-field with two outs in the second inning to tally the lone run of the night for either club.
Caramo had a streak of 10 consecutive batters retired after allowing the run-scoring single in the second and surpassed his previous best seven strikeouts by fanning all-star *Paul DeJong *in the sixth inning.
Northwest Arkansas (47-59/18-18) hit hard line-drives right to Springfield defense all night long. In the fourth inning after *Mauricio Ramos *drew a lead-off walk against Cardinals' starter, *Austin Gomber (1-0, 0.69)*, Naturals' catcher, *Cam Gallagher* smoked a line-drive down the first base line, only to have it snagged by Voit, who doubled-off Ramos to end the rally.
*Terrance Gore* singled up the middle off reliever, *Corey Baker*, with one out in the eighth inning to begin what looked to be another potential rally. But *Humberto Arteaga *hit a sharply struck ground ball to the drawn in third baseman, *Casey Turgeon*, who made a diving play for the second out of the frame.
Later in the eighth inning, *Ryan O'Hearn* was called upon to pinch-hit with runners at the corners and two-outs with the Naturals still trailing, 1-0. O'Hearn blistered a line-drive off the left-handed pitcher, *Justin Wright*, which was caught on the ricochet by Turgeon at third to end the side in the eighth.
In the ninth inning, Escalera singled up the middle off *Ronnie Shaban* and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. With two outs and the tying run in scoring position, Ramos hit a towering fly by to centerfield, only to be tracked by *Blake Drake *to end the ball game.
*Reid Redman* worked in relief of Caramo on Saturday night and retired all five batter he faced and racked up a strikeout on the night. *Tim Hill *retired his lone batter faced in the eighth inning as did *Aroni Nina* to send the Naturals to the ninth frame.
Toups extended his road on-base streak to 26 consecutive games, tying Corpus Christi's *Derek Fisher*, for the longest streak in the Texas League this season. Gallagher collected a base hit in the second inning and has now hit safely in six straight contests.
The seven-game road trip (1-5) concludes on Sunday night with the Naturals looking to salvage the finale against the Cardinals. Right-hander, *Ashton Goudeau (3-10, 4.86) *will pitch for Northwest Arkansas while right-hander, *Trey Neilsen (7-7, 3.73) *will go for Springfield.
Join the Voice of the Naturals, *Benjamin Kelly*, for a 5:50 p.m. Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show on Sunday night, leading up to the 6:10 p.m. first pitch on the flagship station of the Naturals, 92.1-FM, the Ticket from Hammons Field in Springfield, Mo.
*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.*
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, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.
Texas League Stories from July 30, 2016
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- Relentless RockHound Attack Fuels Midland Victory - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Gomber and Cardinals Shut out Naturals, 1-0, Before 6,799 Fans - Springfield Cardinals
- Tough Luck Stings Natuarls in 1-0 Loss - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Frisco RoughRiders to Host 2017 Texas League All-Star Game - Frisco RoughRiders
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