NATURALS STYMIED BY 'RIDERS IN SERIES OPENER

SPRINGDALE, Ark - A night after collecting 12 hits, Northwest Arkansas' (55-79/24-42) offense was stymied and held to just three hits by the Frisco RoughRiders (66-69/33-33) in the series opener on Friday night at Arvest Ballpark as the Naturals fall by a 8-0 final. The defeat drops Northwest Arkansas' record to 2-3 on this final homestand with just four games left in the season.
Entering action tonight, the Naturals had recorded double-digits hits in five of their last six games but that was not the case against Jason Bahr (W, 4-3) of the Frisco RoughRiders. The tall, lanky right-hander kept the Northwest Arkansas' offense held in check throughout his entire outing as he fired 7.0 innings of shutout baseball while allowing just one hit and striking out eight.

The 'Riders broke up a scoreless game in the fourth with a clutch, two-out RBI single by Eliezer Álvarez for the 1-0 lead. The visitors would add another in the fifth on a couple of defensive miscues by the Naturals to extend their advantage to 2-0.
Frisco began putting the game out of reach in the sixth as Juremi Profar led off the frame with a solo home run to left. Then with one out and runners at second and third, Alex Kowalczyk drove in both with a single to center for a commanding 5-0 lead.
Jackson Kowar (L, 2-7) got the start and suffered the loss but threw better than his final line would indicate as the former 33^rd overall pick in the 2018 MLB June Amateur draft gave up five runs, four earned, in 5.2 innings while striking out five. He pitched in and out of trouble but was not helped by his defense, which committed three errors within the first five frames of the game.
After Kowar departed, the Naturals turned to veteran right-hander Zach Lovvorn to keep the game within reach. Lovvorn did just that by tossing 2.1 innings of scoreless baseball as he struck out three and only walked one without giving up a hit.
Grant Gavin pitched the ninth and struck out the side but gave up two singles and then a three-run homer to Profar, his second home run of the contest, to put the game on ice. The Frisco designated-hitter finished 3-for-5 with two homers and four RBIs.
The RoughRiders received 2.0 scoreless innings of relief from right-hander Demarcus Evans to complete the shutout victory.
Northwest Arkansas will continue their final 9-game in 8-day homestand with a doubleheader against the Frisco RoughRiders (Double-A Texas Rangers) on Saturday, August 31^st at Arvest Ballpark. Fan Appreciation Weekend presented by Crain Buick GMC of Springdale begins with a Naturals' Cap Giveaway courtesy of OzarksGo for the first 1,500 fans in attendance as well as a special two hour Bullpen Craft Beer Bar Happy Hour from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Gates will open at 3:30 p.m. with Game 1 set to begin at approximately 4:05 p.m. when the Naturals will send prized pitching prospect Brady Singer (6-3, 3.66 ERA) to the hill where he'll be opposed by righty Ronald Herrera (2-5, 5.74 ERA) of the RoughRiders. Catch the play-by-play action with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on AM 1590 - The Ticket 2 starting at 3:50 p.m. with the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show.
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, promotions, group options and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.
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