NATURALS WIN SERIES WITH 2-0 SHUTOUT OF CARDINALS
SPRINGDALE, Ark. - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals (17-13, 46-54) win the four (4) game series (3-1) over the Springfield Cardinals (11-19, 52-48) with a 2-0 shutout victory on Sunday afternoon at Arvest Ballpark. The series win is the Naturals 10th of the season, fourth over the last six sets, and keeps them in first place in the second half of the Texas League North standings.
Sunday was billed to be a pitcher's duel and it certainly lived up to the hype. Pitting RHP Jake Junis of Northwest Arkansas against RHP Daniel Poncedeleon (L, 6-6) of Springfield. Both pitchers came into the game ranking in the top six in the league in ERA with Junis second with a 3.03 and Poncedeleon sixth with a 3.45. While Junis didn't have his 'A' stuff he kept the Cardinals off the board throughout his 4.0 innings as he scattered six hits and worked out of a bases loaded jam with no outs in the first; however, he did not factor into the decision. The Cardinals righty also gave up six hits but allowed two earned runs on the day.
Both teams had squandered a couple of scoring chances as the game entered the fifth locked in a scoreless battle. Cam Gallagher led off the home half with a sharp single up the middle and advanced to second on a walk by Logan Moon. After a failed sacrifice bunt attempt and a ground ball out, Gallagher and Moon found themselves at third and second respectively with two outs and Carlos Garcia at the plate. The switch-hitting outfielder looped a 2-2 pitch over the head of the Springfield shortstop for a RBI Single that plated both runs, which gave Northwest Arkansas the elusive lead at 2-0.
The 2-0 lead would not be relinquished as the Naturals bullpen combination of LHP Eric Stout (W, 5-3) and RHP Evan Beal (S, 1) nailed down the win. Stout fired 3.0 scoreless frames for the win while Beal notched his first Double-A save. The Northwest Arkansas bullpen has been downright dominant over Springfield in recent weeks as they've only allowed a total of three runs to the Cardinals in 42.0 innings pitched over the last 11 games against the North Division rivals.
A highlight of note for the Cardinals occurred in the fourth when they turned a 5-4-3 triple play against the Naturals.
The win guarantees the Naturals either a full game lead or tie for first place in the second half standings of the Texas League North Division as Tulsa is scheduled to take on the Arkansas Travelers in North Little Rock tonight at 7:10 p.m.
Today's game concluded the Naturals four (4) game series against the Cardinals. Northwest Arkansas will now hit the road for seven (7) games with three (3) in North Little Rock against the Travelers before another four (4) games against the Cardinals in Springfield. You can catch all of the live play-by-play action with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on your home for Naturals baseball on KQSM 92.1-FM The Ticket at 6:50 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch at 7:10pm from Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock against the AA Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Following the conclusion of this road trip, the Naturals will return to Arvest Ballpark on Monday, August 1.
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.
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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