NATURALS FALL, 8-2 TO SPRINGFIELD

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Northwest Arkansas (22-18) dropped game two of the four-game series, 8-2 on Saturday night to the Springfield Cardinals at Hammons Field. The series is now even at a game apiece.
The Naturals jumped on major league rehabber, Tyler Lyons (1-0, 3.00) in the first inning. Alfredo Escalera doubled down the left field line and moved to third base after the ball skipped past Magneuris Sierra. Two batters later, Mauricio Ramos clubbed a towering home run to straight away centerfield put the Naturals ahead, 2-0.

Springfield bounced back and took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning using a pair of solo home runs to do so. Right-hander, Ashton Goudeau (2-3, 3.29) made the start for the Naturals and worked three and one-third innings with a pair of strikeouts in the losing effort.
Humberto Arteaga finished 2-for-3 on the night with a his fifth double of the season. Logan Moon cracked his second two-bagger of the season in the seventh inning while Zane Evans added a hit in the eighth with a stole base.
Right-hander, Pedro Fernandez pitched two and one-third innings with three strikeouts, allowing just one run on three hits. Jake Newberry worked a perfect eighth inning and tabbed a strikeout in his team-leading 14^th appearance.
For the 19^th consecutive day, Northwest Arkansas will enjoy first place in the Texas League North as the four-game series continues on Sunday afternoon at Hammons Field in Springfield, Mo.  
The Naturals have not announced a starter for Game 3 of the series. The Cardinals will send right-hander, Matt Pearce (3-2, 2.74) to the mound.
Join the Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly, with a 1:50 p.m. pregame show, leading up to the 2:10 first pitch on the flagship station of the Naturals, 92.1-FM, the Ticket.
Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Facebook and Twitter @NWANaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime and #CrowntoCrown for all of our up-to-date information on Season 10 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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