NATURALS FALL IN FINALE BUT WIN SERIES AGAINST TRAVS
SPRINGDALE, Ark. - Northwest Arkansas got a solid start from RHP Jake Junis (L, 9-7) as the Texas League All-Star struck out nine but the Naturals (21-19, 50-60) would ultimately fall to the Arkansas Travelers (21-19, 53-57) on Wednesday night by a 3-1 final. Even with the defeat, the Naturals remain tied for first place in the Texas League North Division after the 2-1 series win.
The game looked to be a pitcher's duel as Junis was facing fellow Texas League All-Star RHP Jordan Kipper (W, 11-5) of the Travelers. Neither pitcher did much to disappoint as both aces were solid throughout. Kipper, whom threw a no-hitter at Arvest Ballpark in May, limited the Naturals to one run on five hits while striking out four in 6.0 innings of work. Meanwhile, Junis flashed dominance with nine strikeouts but the five hits he gave up resulted in three runs for the visitors from North Little Rock.
Northwest Arkansas plated their lone run in the first frame as Corey Toups led off the game with a double down the left-field line. Toups advanced to third on a fly out by Alfredo Escalera and then came in to score on a RBI single by Ryan O'Hearn. O'Hearn, whom sat out the previous two games with neck spasms, returned to the lineup deliver his 37th RBI of the season. Toups led the Naturals offensive attack once again by going 3-for-4 with a run, his second three hit game in as many nights.
Trailing 1-0 entering the third, Arkansas answered with a lead-off home run off the bat of catcher Jose Briceno. Briceno took a 2-2 pitch from Junis and lifted it just fair down the line in left for a solo shot, his second of the season. Tied at 3-3 all in the fifth, the Travelers plated their final two runs via some well-placed hits. Caleb Adams began the frame with a double down the first base line that hit the bag and hoped over the glove of O'Hearn and into right field. Briceno then followed with a double of his own, this time a ground ball down the left field line, just inside the third base bag to plate Adams. After a fly out moved Briceno to third, Zach Welz followed Adams lead with a ball just inside the bag at first and into right field for a RBI single and a 3-1 lead.
Northwest Arkansas was unable to mount a threat after that as hard-throwing relievers RHP Keynan Middleton (H, 1) and RHP Eduardo Paredes (S, 3) combined for five strikeouts and allowed only one hit in 3.0 scoreless innings in relief of Kipper.
Tonight concluded the Naturals series with their in-state rivals from North Little Rock. Northwest Arkansas will continue their current seven (7) game homestand with the series opener against the Tulsa Drillers (Double-A LA Dodgers) tomorrow night - Thursday, August 4 - with first pitch slated for 7:05 p.m. Tomorrow night is a Drawstring Backpack Giveaway by Casey's General Store on Buck Night on Thirsty Thursday as RHP Scott Barlow (3-6, 3.95 ERA) of the Drillers will square off against RHP Yender Caramo (2-5, 2.52 ERA) of the Naturals. 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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