NATURALS FALL AS TRAVELERS CLAIM FIRST-HALF TITLE
SPRINGDALE, Ark - In a winner-take-all game at Arvest Ballpark on Tuesday night, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (0-1, 35-36) were unable to overcome an early deficit as they fall to Arkansas (1-0, 36-35) by a 7-1 final. The victory gives the Travelers the First-Half Title and secures them a trip
SPRINGDALE, Ark - In a winner-take-all game at Arvest Ballpark on Tuesday night, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (0-1, 35-36) were unable to overcome an early deficit as they fall to Arkansas (1-0, 36-35) by a 7-1 final. The victory gives the Travelers the First-Half Title and secures them a trip to the Texas League Playoffs in September where they'll await the Second-Half winner.
After back-to-back losses, the Travelers raced out to an early lead in the top of the first.
Arkansas started to pull away a bit after a four run third inning.
Northwest Arkansas was able to get a run on the scoreboard in the home half of the sixth as Nate Esposito began the inning with a double to center field. After a walk to
The Naturals would mount their biggest threat in the seventh when they loaded the bases with nobody out after three consecutive singles by
The visitors would regain their six-run advantage with an insurance run in the eighth on a
Northwest Arkansas fell behind early and just wasn't able to mount another comeback like they had done on Monday night. The Travelers out-hit them by a 12-to-6 clip with Curletta leading the way with three hits, two RBIs and a homer in the game.
North Little Rock starter
Tonight's game served not only as a de facto First-Half Championship Game in the Texas League North Division but also as the first game of the Second-Half of the season as 69 games remain before the start of the Texas League Playoffs in September.
Northwest Arkansas will conclude their series against the Arkansas Travelers, the Double-A Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, with the series finale tomorrow afternoon - Wednesday, June 20 - with first pitch scheduled for 12:05 p.m. Gates will open at 11:00 a.m. for Matinee Baseball at Arvest Ballpark. The Naturals will send LHP
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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