NORTHWEST ARKANSAS DROPS OPENER TO SPRINGFIELD, 6-2

SPRINGDALE, Ark - Fans in attendance at Arvest Ballpark on Thursday night saw something that's never been done by a Natural player throughout the team's 10-year history, which was an inside-the-park home run. Donnie Dewees, Jr. etched his name into the history books by hitting the club's first in the third inning; however, it would not be enough as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (13-21 / 52-52) dropped the series opener against the Springfield Cardinals (22-12 / 57-47) by a 6-2 final.
Locked in a scoreless game, Dewees stepped to the plate and jumped on the first pitch he saw from RHP Trey Nielsen of the Cardinals. Both center fielder Oscar Mercado and right fielder Magneuris Sierra made a play on the ball near the wall but the baseball ultimately bounded away from the outfielders, which allowed the speedy Dewees the opportunity to race around the bases to just beat the relay throw and tag at the plate for the franchise's first ever inside-the-park homer and an early 1-0 lead.

Northwest Arkansas' 1-0 lead lasted until the fifth when Springfield plated three runs. Randy Arozarena hit a two-run home run during the three-run frame to score John Nogowski , whom had doubled to begin the inning, and then Tommy Edman delivered a two-out RBI double to complete the scoring to put the North Division leading Cardinals out in front by a 3-1 margin.
The Naturals would close the gap to 3-2 with a run in the eighth as Anderson Miller drove in Nicky Lopez with a sacrifice fly. The Redbirds though would have an immediate answer as they would go on to plate three more runs in the ninth to put the game out of reach. Jacob Wilson collected a two-run single while Edman added another RBI on a bunt base hit to set the final at 6-2.
LHP Foster Griffin (L, 7-3) was solid in defeat as he gave up three runs in 6.1 innings of work. Meanwhile, the Cardinals relied heavily on their bullpen as reliever RHP Tyler Bray (W, 6-0) earned the win while RHP Landon Beck (S, 2) notched the save.
Springfield out-hit Northwest Arkansas by a 12-to-9 tally. The Naturals were led by the top of the order as Dewees and Lopez combined to go 5-for-9 while Nick Dini , whom was celebrating his birthday along with Griffin, chipped in with three hits as well.
The loss marks the fourth straight defeat for Northwest Arkansas and drops their record back to .500 for the season.
Northwest Arkansas will continue their 7-game homestand with Game 2 of this 4-game set against the Springfield Cardinals (Double-A St. Louis Cardinals) tomorrow night - Friday, July 28 - with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Arvest Ballpark. Friday night is Pink in the Park Night featuring aPost-Game Fireworks Spectacular with Guilty Pleasure Songs by Farm Rich. The Naturals will send RHP Josh Staumont (0-2, 9.26 ERA) to the mound where he'll square off against RHP Sandy Alcantara (6-5, 4.85 ERA) of the Cardinals. Catch all of the live play-by-play action with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on KQSM - 92.1 The Ticket, your home for Naturals baseball, at 6:45 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch.
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 Season 10 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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