BATS QUIET AS NATURALS FALL TO POODLES IN OPENER

SPRINGDALE, Ark - Northwest Arkansas right-hander Jackson Kowar struck out a season-high nine batters during his 5.0 innings of work but the bats were quiet as the Naturals (43-59/12-22) were only able to record four hits in a shutout loss to the Amarillo Sod Poodles (54-49/20-15) in the series opener at Arvest Ballpark on Saturday night.
Kowar (L, 1-4) was making his second start of the season at home and seventh overall for Northwest Arkansas. The highly-regarded Royals' prospect pitched better than his final line would indicate against the talented Amarillo lineup as he gave up four runs on six hits while throwing 95 pitches and recording nine strikeouts compared to just two walks. Through two starts at Arvest Ballpark this season, Kowar has struck out 16 batters in just 12.0 innings of work while allowing only four earned runs.
Veteran left-hander Emilio Ogando followed Kowar and was brilliant out of the bullpen for Northwest Arkansas. Ogando started the sixth inning and allowed just two hits over the final 4.0 innings of shutout baseball while striking out six.

Amarillo got their offense going in the second inning when they struck for three early runs. Luis Torrens walked to begin the frame and then advanced to third on a double to center field by Kyle Overstreet . After a RBI groundout by Hudson Potts put the Poodles up 1-0, Brad Zunica had a RBI double while Rodrigo Orozco chipped in a run-scoring single for the early 3-0 advantage.
The game remained 3-0 into the fifth before Amarillo added the final tally to their total on a solo home run by Torrens.
Jesse Scholtens (W, 4-5) earned the win for the Sod Poodles after tossing 5.0 scoreless innings. The right-hander allowed just three hits and struck out five while walking three batters. Relievers Kazuhisa Makita and Evan Miller combined for the final 3.1 innings to complete the shutout victory for Amarillo. Tonight was the seventh time the Naturals have been shutout this season.
Northwest Arkansas will continue their 7-game homestand with Game 2 of this 4-game set against the Amarillo Sod Poodles (Double-A San Diego Padres) tomorrow afternoon - Sunday, July 28^th - at Arvest Ballpark. First pitch is slated for 2:05 p.m. on a Kids Eat FREE Sunday featuring a Pre-Game Catch on the Field from 1:05 p.m. until 1:25 p.m. with Mercy Kids Run the Bases following the game. Right-hander Brady Singer (2-2, 4.53 ERA), the former 18^th overall selection by the Kansas City Royals in the 2018 draft, will get the baseball where he'll be opposed by the reigning Texas League Pitcher of the Week in Lake Bachar (7-2, 3.25 ERA) of the Sod Poodles. Catch the play-by-play action with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on KQSM - 92.1 The Ticket starting at 1:45 p.m. with the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading to first pitch against the Double-A Padres.
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, upcoming promotions, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.
-Naturals-