ARKANSAS BEATS THE NATURALS IN THE SERIES FINALE, 12-9
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The series finale proved to be a slugfest between the Naturals and the host Arkansas Travelers at Dickey-Stephens Park on Wednesday night as Northwest Arkansas dropped the rubber match, 12-9. The two teams combined for 21 runs on 26 hits including nine extra-base hits.
Third baseman Hunter Dozier had the big night at the plate for Northwest Arkansas (52-50/12-20) finishing 4-for-5 with a solo home run that put the Naturals ahead, 2-1 in the second inning. He tallied a pair of doubles and an RBI single throughout the game. Dozier ended with three runs driven in and three runs scored in his first four-hit night of the season.
The Naturals jumped out early on Travelers starter Kyle McGowin (7-7, 4.93) using an RBI double by Lane Adams in the first to take a 1-0 advantage. The double by Adams extended his hitting streak to a career-high 12 games surpassing his previous high of 11 set in 2014 with the Naturals.
After Arkansas tied the game in the home half of the first off right-hander Luke Farrell (1-3, 3.71), Dozier wrapped his 10th home run of the season around the right-field foul pole to put the Naturals back in front.
Tied at two headed to the top of the fourth, Jorge Bonifacio was hit by McGowin's pitch and then Bubba Starling singled to put runners at the corners. Dozier then laced a sharp ground ball that was kicked by shortstop Drew Maggi to allow two runs score. Dozier received one RBI on the fielder choice.
Arkansas tacked on five runs (three earned) in the fourth inning and then four more in the fifth en route to the 12-9 win.
Starling finished up his encore of the cycle on Tuesday night with a 2-for-5 evening with a triple on Wednesday while Kenny Diekroeger collected a pair of hits in the loss to the Travelers.
Northwest Arkansas finished the seven-game road trip with a 3-4 record and look to get back home to Arvest Ballpark and prepare for a seven-game homestand beginning with four game against the Springfield Cardinals.
Right-hander Matt Murray (5-1, 3.78) takes the hill for the Naturals in his first start since June 9 as countering for Springfield will be right-hander Alex Reyes (0-0, 2.25) who will make his second Double-A start. .
Tune in with the Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly, at 6:50 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to the 7:05 p.m. first pitch on the Naturals flagship station, 92.1 - FM, the Ticket.
Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Twitter @nwanaturals throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime for all of our up-to-date information on tickets, groups, promotions, and team-related information.
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.
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