NATURALS SINK HOOKS IN OPENER, 5-2

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - The Naturals picked-up a 5-2 win over the Corpus Christi Hooks on Tuesday night at Whataburger Field to begin the seven-game road trip. Right-hander, Jackson Kowar tossed a six-inning quality start and a set of two-run homers by Nick Heath and Taylor Featherston to aid the club in the win.
 
Trailing 2-0 entering the third inning, D.J. Burt singled to right-field off starter, Chad Donato , who retired the first eight batters of the game. Heath, due up next, worked the count to 1-1 and blasted his sixth homer of the season - and second in as many games - to tie the score at 2-2 in the third.

Kowar took over from there and shutout the hooks over his final four innings and logged a stretch of seven straight batters retired after allowing the two-run homer in the second inning. It marked his third quality start in his first five starts in the Texas League.
 
The game still tied at 2-2 in the eighth inning, Kort Peterson led off the frame with a walk and was forced out at second on an unexecuted bunt attempt by Freddy Fermin . With two-outs, Fermin raced home to score at Heath connected for a double down the rightfield line. The ball was bobbled in the corner allowing Fermin to score and Heath to move to third. It gave the Naturals a 3-2 lead.
 
Relievers, Andres Sotillet and left-hander, Holden Capps covered the seventh and eighth innings, combining to punch-out four hitters. Sotillet (5-1, 3.76 ERA) picked-up the win going one and two-third innings with one hit allowed and three strikeouts. Capps made his Double-A debut and allowed a hit and a strikeout in his third of the eighth inning.
 
Featherston supplied a key two-run homer in the ninth inning to move the lead to 5-2, setting up closer, Tyler Zuber . Zuber notched his fourth consecutive save and his fifth of the season. He allowed a lead-off singe and struck out the next three hitters to end the game.
 
The Naturals' pitchers combined for a 13 strikeouts of Hooks hitters.
 
Right-hander, Brady Singer (2-1, 5.80 ERA) gets the ball in the middle game of the three-game set on Wednesday night against right-hander, Enoli Paredes countering for Corpus Christi.
 
Join the "Voice of the Naturals," Benjamin Kelly on 92.1-FM, the Ticket and the Naturals Radio Network for a 5:55 Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to the 6:15 p.m. first pitch.
 
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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