CALIXTE DELIVERS IN THE 10TH TO SPLIT SERIES WITH SPRINGFIELD
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - With the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the 10th innings, Naturals' right-fielder, Orlando Calixte shot a single into right-field to score three runs in the Naturals 4-1 extra-inning win on Thursday night at Hammons Field. The victory secured a series split for the Naturals with the Springfield Cardinals.
Third baseman, Mauricio Ramos, started the 10th inning rally with his third hit of the night, a single into centerfield. Logan Moon came in to pinch run for Ramos and moved to second on after single by Frank Schwindel off reliever, Chris Thomas (1-1. 3.48) to put men on first and second base.
Three batters later, Ramon Torres drew a walk to load the bases for Calixte. The outfielder jumped ahead in the count, 2-1 and laced a single under the dive of Springfield's first baseman, Luke Voit while the ball continued to roll underneath the glove of right-fielder, Collin Radack to allow all three runs to score.
Calixte finished 1-for-5 on the game with one run batted in.
Northwest Arkansas (8-12) trailed 1-0 entering the seventh inning when Hunter Dozier came to the plate against left-handed reliever, Cory Littrell and clocked his fifth home run of the season to tie the game at 1-1. The homer was Dozier's first off a left-hander since May 17, 2015 when he hit a walk-off home run at Arvest Ballpark against Springfield.
Naturals' starter, Eric Skoglund, went out for the bottom of the seventh inning in hopes of setting himself up for a possible win. Skoglund retired the final 10 batters he faced in his 7.0-inning effort, but did not factor in the decision. The left-hander allowed a solo home run to Harrison Bader in the third inning; but allowed just two hits after that.
Skoglund struck out five batters and walked one while scattering five hits. Right-hander, Kevin McCarthy (1-0, 4.09) followed Skoglund's start with two shutout innings in the eighth and ninth to win the game while Yender Caramo picked up the save with a scoreless 10th. The save was Caramo's first since July 2, 2014.
Ramos led the offense with his third three-hit night of the year going 3-for-4 while Dozier's home run is his first since April 19.
The Naturals head west to Tulsa, Okla. for a four-game series against the Tulsa Drillers (Los Angeles Dodgers) beginning on Friday, April 29 with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch from ONEOK Field. Right-hander Alec Mills (1-1, 2.35) takes the ball in a rematch of the pitching match-up against right-hander Chase De Jong (1-3, 4.74) going for the Drillers.
Tune in with the Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly, for a 6:50 Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch on AM-1590, the Ticket-2.
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.
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