Rain, lightning bring 0-0 game to early end

SPRINGDALE — Monday’s game between Springfield and Northwest Arkansas at Arvest Ballpark was canceled because of rain and lightning.

Springfield was batting with two outs in the top of the fourth inning when lightning flashed north of Arvest Ballpark. Rain then began to fall, and the umpires called off the game, which was tied 0-0, after about a 30-minute delay.

Naturals left-hander Everett Teaford retired all 11 Springfield batters he faced before the game was called.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader when Northwest Arkansas plays at Springfield later this week because Springfield is not scheduled to make another appearanceat Arvest Ballpark. The Naturals have three games scheduled at Tulsa before beginning a four-games series at Springfield on Friday.

The Cardinals left Monday after taking three of four games during their series with Northwest Arkansas. The Naturals’ only victory was a 6-2 decision over the Cardinals in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday.

“[Springfield] hit the ball very well against us, and we ended up losing three out of four to them,” Northwest Arkansas Manager Brian Poldberg said. “We didn’t play that well, but looking down the road when we get everybody back, we want to keep guys rested going into the playoffs.”

First baseman Clint Robinson returned to the Naturals’ lineup Monday after suffering a foot injury in last week’s series at Arkansas.