FIVE-RUN FIFTH DOOMS NATURALS IN FINALE

SPRINGDALE, Ark - Looking for a series win, Northwest Arkansas led 1-0 early but the Springfield Cardinals (15-11) exploded for a five-run fifth inning that doomed the Naturals (9-18) as they would fall 9-1 in front of a crowd of 6,965 at Arvest Ballpark.
The Cardinals held a 2-1 advantage entering the fifth frame when their offense came to life with two-outs to break open a tight game. Jeremy Martinez led off with a double and advanced to third on a groundout. After a strikeout, Blake Drake doubled to left-center field to plate Martinez. Ramón Urías followed with a RBI single to left field before Victor Roache capped the five-run inning with a three-run home run off reliever Jacob Bodner , whom came in to replace starter Foster Griffin (L, 2-3), to lead 7-1.
Springfield would add two more runs in the sixth on a RBI force out and another Urias run-scoring single to set the final at 9-1.

Northwest Arkansas struck first in the finale with a run in the second as Anderson Miller delivered a two-out RBI double to plate Luis Villegas . Villegas, whom reached on a fielder's choice, stole his first bag of the year to put himself in scoring position.
Springfield took advantage of a couple of walks and a fielding error to take a lead they would not relinquish in the top half of the third. Martinez scored on a bases-loaded walk by Drake before Thomas Spitz came in on a double-play ball for the 2-1 lead.
Griffin got the start and was solid through the first 2.0 frames but the Cardinal bats would get to him in the middle innings. In total, the big lefty worked 4.2 innings giving up six runs, two earned, on six hits while striking out one before giving way to the bullpen. Bodner, struggled in his appearance on Friday night as he gave up three runs on four hits in his lone inning of work.
LHP Jake Kalish was a bright spot out of the Naturals' bullpen as the left-hander struck out four in 3.1 scoreless frames.
Tonight's game concluded the homestand against the Double-A St. Louis Cardinals. Northwest Arkansas will now head down to North Little Rock for a four (4) game series against the Arkansas Travelers (Double-A Seattle Mariners) before returning home for a seven (7) game homestand at Arvest Ballpark from May 10 through May 17. Join Benjamin Kelly, the Voice of the Naturals, on AM 1490 - The Ticket 2 tomorrow night at 5:10 p.m. - Saturday, May 5 - for the series opener against the Travs
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 the 2018 season 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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