DUENEZ DRIVES IN FOUR AS NATURALS WIN OPENER
SPRINGDALE, Ark - First baseman Samir Dueñez homered and drove in four as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (10-9, 49-40) won the series opener over the Tulsa Drillers (12-7, 45-44) by a 7-4 final at Arvest Ballpark. The victory on Wednesday night moves the Naturals to within 2.0 games of the
SPRINGDALE, Ark - First baseman
With the Naturals clinging to a 5-4 lead in the eighth, Duenez stepped to the plate with two outs and
Northwest Arkansas took a lead in the first as Duenez started his big night with a RBI groundout to plate Lopez, whom led off the game with a double. The Drillers though would have an immediate answer by putting up four runs against Naturals ace LHP
The Naturals would reclaim the lead with a couple of runs in the third and fourth. In the third,
The 5-4 lead was enough for Griffin (W, 7-1) as the Naturals' lefty worked around a four-run second to earn another win. He tossed 5.0 innings and allowed four runs on eight hits while striking out six and only issuing one walk. It was Griffin's first appearance at Arvest Ballpark since logging a perfect 0.2 innings pitched in the Major League Futures Game in Miami on July 9.
In relief out of the Northwest Arkansas bullpen, LHP
On offense, Duenez went 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBI while
Northwest Arkansas will continue their 4-game homestand with Game 2 of this 4-game set against the Tulsa Drillers (Double-A Los Angeles Dodgers) tomorrow night - Thursday, July 13 - with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Arvest Ballpark on a Buck Night & Thirsty Thursday. The Naturals will send RHP
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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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