VENEZIANO DEALS AS NATURALS HOLD EARLY LEAD FOR 3-2 VICTORY OVER WICHITA

WICHITA, KS – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals jumped out to an early lead in the second inning and stayed on top the right of the night, edging out a 3-2 victory over the Wichita Wind Surge at Riverfront Stadium Friday.

First baseman Logan Porter opened the second inning with a solo home run on the first pitch, his 10th home run of the season. After Wichita committed a two-out error, Jake Means singled home CJ Alexander and Tucker Bradley doubled across Sebastian Rivero for a 3-0 lead that Northwest Arkansas did not relinquish.

Starting pitcher Anthony Veneziano turned in his second straight quality start and team-best sixth overall this season, allowing just one run with five strikeouts across 6.0 innings.

Veneziano allowed a home run to open the third inning, but kept the Wind Surge at bay otherwise, stranding six runners on across his six innings.

Left-hander Christian Chamberlain followed Veneziano and fired two scoreless innings in one of his best outings of the season, striking out three.

Yefri Del Rosario earned his third save of the season, allowing an unearned run in the ninth while striking out two, including a strikeout looking to end the game.

In the leadoff spot, Bradley went 3-for-4 with a walk, while Porter, Seuly Matias and Alexander each contributed two-hit efforts in the win.

With the series evened at two games each, the Naturals will try and secure a split Saturday at 6:05 p.m. CT as right-hander Alec Marsh goes to the mound for Northwest Arkansas.