HOOKS TAKE SERIES OPENER BY 7-2 FINAL
SPRINGDALE, Ark. - Northwest Arkansas left fielder Ryan O'Hearn homered in the seventh, his 11th of the year, but it was not enough as the Corpus Christi Hooks (25-26, 72-49) take the series opener over the Naturals (26-25, 55-66) by a 7-2 final.
The game was scoreless through two frames as RHP Josh Staumont (L, 1-1) worked around a few early walks while Corpus Christi's LHP Evan Grills (W, 5-5) didn't allow a run after a Corey Toups led off the game with a double. However, the control issues would plague the Naturals' starter in the third and the Hooks took advantage this time. Second baseman Nick Tanielu plated two runs with a single and then Chase McDonald added a sacrifice fly off of RHP Evan Beal, whom came on in relief.
Corpus would look to add to their 3-0 lead in the fourth. Bobby Boyd started things off with a one-out single before Garrett Stubbs delivered a two-run home run into the Naturals' bullpen in right field for a 5-0 advantage. The lead would grow to 6-0 in the fifth as J.D. Davis connected on a 1-0 pitch from Beal and hit a long home run into the Bud Light Home Run Porch in left.
The game remained 6-0 in favor of the Hooks until the home half of the seventh when the Naturals mounted a slight rally with the middle of their order. Frank Schwindel got the offense going with a double down the line in right. That setup Ryan O'Hearn and the slugging left-handed hitter launched a 1-1 pitch for a two-run home run into the Hooks' bullpen in left for a 6-2 game. Davis homered again for the Hooks in the ninth and the Naturals threatened but were unable to score, which set the 7-2 final.
Corpus Christi out-hit Northwest Arkansas by an 8-to-5 tally as Stubbs, Tanielu, and Davis drove in two runs apiece. The Naturals, meanwhile, were led on offense by O'Hearn and Alfredo Escalera's 2-for-4 night that included two doubles.
Even with the loss, the Naturals will maintain their spot in first place in the Texas League North Division second half standings.
Northwest Arkansas will continue their six (6) game homestand with Game 2 of this 3-game set against the Corpus Christi Hooks (Double-A Houston Astros) tomorrow night - Wednesday, August 17 - with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Tomorrow night is What's It? Wednesday at Arvest Ballpark and Corpus Christi will send LHP Kent Emanuel (4-2, 4.57 ERA) to the hill while the Naturals have yet to name a starter. 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 6:45 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show.
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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