July hasn't been kind to the Northwest Arkansas bullpen.
That trend continued in a 9-8 Naturals loss to Springfield on Friday night, a game in which Northwest Arkansas led 7-1 after two innings before eventually falling in 10 innings.
Springfield's Matt Carpenter won the game with a solo home run in the top of the 10th, a deep shot to center off Naturals reliever Brandon Sisk (4-4). Sisk has now given up 12 runs in his last four relief appearances, a stretch of just 22/3 innings.
"We've got to do better," Naturals manager Brian Poldberg said. "Our offense can't continually score eight or nine runs every night, because we're facing good pitching.
"We had enough runs; we should have won that game. We've got to get it done."
Sisk's struggles have contributed to an overall 4.92 bullpen ERA by the Naturals in July entering Friday's game, by far the worst month of the season so far.
"The bullpen has to do a better job," Poldberg said. "At times, they've done a good job, just not all the time.
"That's one that we let get away a little bit."
Northwest Arkansas starter Eduardo Paulino struggled to find the plate after being spotted the early lead, walking four and allowing seven hits in five innings. Reliever Blake Johnson was even worse, allowing seven hits and four runs in just two innings of work. Three of those runs came in the eighth as the Cardinals tied the game 8-8.
The Naturals had leadoff hitter at second base with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but Springfield intentionally walked Northwest Arkansas first baseman before reliever Blake King struck out Paulo Orlando and Tim Smith.
Carpenter then won the game with the one-out blast in the 10th.
Cardinals At The Plate: Four Springfield hitters (Pete Kozma, Carpenter, Chris Swauger and Jose Garcia) had three hits each, totaling 12 of the 17 hits the Cardinals had in the win.
Naturals At The Plate: Orlando looked every bit the part of a cleanup hitter in his first start in the No. 4 spot in the order on Friday. Orlando, who was moved to the spot following Clint Robinson being scratched from the lineup, was 2-for-4 -- including a solo home run in the fifth inning.
Naturals On The Mound: The only positive for the Naturals was the performance of reliever Henry Barrera, who didn't allow a run in two innings.
Extra Bases: Naturals first baseman Clint Robinson was a late scratch from the lineup before Friday's game after suffering from a foot blister ... Jarrod Dyson's stay in Northwest Arkansas was a quick one. The outfielder, who spent seven games with the Naturals, was promoted to Triple-A Omaha before Friday's game, and he was replaced by former major leaguer Shane Costa, who is attempting to rebound following injury and was promoted from Class-A Advanced Wilmington.
Alumni Update: Former Northwest Arkansas starter Anthony Lerew was designated for assignment by Kansas City on Friday. Lerew, who was 1-4 for the Naturals last season, threw in six games for the Royals this season and had a 8.54 ERA in 261/3 innings. He could return to Triple-A Omaha if he clears waivers.
On Deck: The two teams continue their series today with a 6 p.m. doubleheader. Chris Dwyer (2-0, 1.06 ERA) is set to start the first game for Northwest Arkansas, while Aaron Crow (6-6, 5.60) is scheduled for the second. They will face Scott McGregor (1-3, 5.14) in the first game and a to-be-determined starter in the second.
On The Web: www.nwaonline.com
Additional Coverage: See today's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette