TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Travelers Claim Series Finale over Naturals

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


SPRINGDALE, Ark. - Northwest Arkansas catcher Cam Gallagher launched his first home run of the season, a two run shot to left field in the bottom of the second inning, but it would not be enough as the Arkansas Travelers (16-24) claimed the series finale with a 5-2 victory over the Naturals (18-21) on Thursday night at Arvest Ballpark.

With two outs in the bottom of the second inning and a runner on first, Naturals backstop Cam Gallagher connected on a 1-2 fastball and hit a line shot, two-run homer over the fence in left and into the Travelers bullpen for an early 2-0 lead.

The score would remain in the Naturals favor until the fourth inning when the Double-A Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim posted three runs in the frame. Alex Yarbrough reached on a leadoff single and then the Travs put runners on second and third after Cal Towey reached courtesy of a defensive miscue by the Naturals in left field. Chad Hinshaw walked to load the bases before Yarbrough scored on a sacrifice fly by Eric Aguilera. A two-out, two-run single by Andrew Daniel two batters later gave North Little Rock a 3-2 advantage over the Naturals. The Travs would set the final score at 5-2 with a couple of more runs in the seventh inning on a RBI groundout by Stephen McGee and a RBI double by Andrew Rosa. Third baseman Andrew Daniel led Arkansas' offensive attack by going 3-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI.

RHP Jake Junis (3-3, 3.43 ERA) was solid in defeat for Northwest Arkansas as the 23-year-old right-hander gave up four hits, five runs but only two earned, walked two, and struck out seven in 6.1 innings of work. He extended his season-long scoreless innings streak to 17.2 before surrendering the first run of the game to the Travelers in the top of the fourth.

In his second MLB rehab start with Northwest Arkansas, Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas hit third and started at third base. Moose went 0-for-4 at the plate but made two spectacular plays on defense in the fifth.

Northwest Arkansas will now welcome the Tulsa Drillers, Double-A Los Angeles Dodgers, to town tomorrow night - Friday, May 20 - to begin another four (4) game series. First pitch on Friday night is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. on Thunder Chickens Night with Post-Game Fireworks Spectacular presented by SeaPak. The Drillers will send RHP Scott Barlow (1-2, 2.21 ERA) to the hill and he'll be opposed by RHP Pedro Fernandez (0-1, 10.13 ERA) of the Thunder Chickens. You can catch the live play-by-play action with the Voice of the Thunder Chickens Benjamin Kelly on your home for Thunder Chickens baseball on AM-1590, The Ticket 2 at 6:45 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading to first pitch.

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.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from May 20, 2016


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