Arkansas Hits It Big

Travelers Make Most Of Second Look At Right-Hander

SPRINGDALE — Jason Adam appeared on the verge of changing his luck when he held Arkansas hitless through the first three innings of Monday’s game.

The Travelers had other ideas, once they had that second look at Northwest Arkansas’ right-hander. Arkansas belted nine hits and scored eight times off Adam over the next 1.1 innings, and the Travelers claimed a 10-3 victory over the Naturals to begin a three-game series at Arvest Ballpark.

The victory moves the Travelers (51-49 overall, 18-13 second half) into sole possession of first place in the Texas League’s North Division second-half standings, one game ahead of the Naturals (42-59, 17-14).

C.J. Cron broke a scoreless tie when his single drove in Taylor Lindsey, who led off the fourth with a walk against Adam (4-10). Travis Witherspoon added a solo home run during a three-run fourth, then Arkansas sent 11 batters to the plate in the fifth and drilled four doubles, including Robbie Widlansky’s three-run shot down the right-field line against reliever Andy Ferguson.

The Lingo

“Jason, for the first three innings, threw as good as he had all year. He then gave up that leadoff walk in the fourth, then he struggled in the fourth and struggled in the fifth. Ferguson came in, and we couldn’t stop the bleeding at that point. Give their hitters credit; they took advantage of the situation.”

Brian Poldberg

NWA Naturals manager

Short Hops

Mark Fields, who entered the game tied for the league lead in RBIs with Midland’s Jake Goebbert, drove in his 71st run with a bases-loaded single in the fifth.

Four Northwest Arkansas pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts, with 10 of them coming over the last 16 Travelers batters. Ferguson had four over 1.2 innings, followed by Noel Arguelles with three over 1.2 innings and Santiago Garrido with three over the final 1.1 innings.

Arkansas starter Manny Correa (4-10) picked up his first win over Northwest Arkansas this season after going 0-3 in his three previous outings against the Naturals.

Extra Bases: Rey Navarro was given the night off despite a current 16-game hit streak, which is tied for the longest on the team and in the league with teammate Brian Fletcher … Naturals reliever Noel Arguelles apparently was injured while pitching the eighth inning and was replaced by Santiago Garrido. … Cron was Arkansas’ lone baserunner through the first three innings when he was hit by a pitch in the second. … Every Travelers batter had at least one hit, and four of them finished with two.

Royals Pipeline: Raul Mondesi had two hits, including a double, and scored two runs as Class A Lexington extended its winning streak to eight games with a 7-3 decision over Greenville. Terrance Gore also scored twice and recorded his 54th stolen base, good for second in the South Atlantic League.

On Deck: The two teams meet again at 7:05 p.m. today for the middle game of their three-game series. Right-hander Sugar Ray Marimon (6-10, 4.29 ERA) will take the mound for the Naturals, while the Travelers counter with right-hander Matt Oye (6-7, 5.03).

Today’s Promotion: Arvest Bank customers can take advantage of today’s buy one ticket, get one free offer, and all fans can take advantage of 2-for-1 discounts throughout the ballpark, including Kids Zone passes and select merchandise and concessions specials.

On The Air: KQSM-FM 92.1

On The Web: www.nwanaturals.com.

Arkansas 000 370 000 — 10 13 0

NW Arkansas 000 020 010 — 3 9 1

Correa, Chaffee (7), Giardina (9) and Ramirez. Adam, Ferguson (5), Arguelles (7), Garrido (8), and Graterol. W-Correa, 4-10. L-Adam, 4-10. Sv-None. HR-Arkansas, Witherspoon (10).

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