SPRINGDALE -- The Texas League Player of the Month for June kept it going in July.
Northwest Arkansas center fielder Lane Adams continued his torrid hitting by driving in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Naturals to a 6-5 win over Midland on Wednesday at Arvest Ballpark.
How They Scored
Northwest Arkansas 6, Midland 5
Midland^000^010^013^—^5^7^0
NWA^010^000^302^—^6^10^2
Haviland, Hooker (7), Flores (8), Walden (9) and Taylor; Ferguson, Alexander (7), Triggs (8) and Graterol. W-Triggs, 4-1. L-Flores, 0-1.
Adams, named Texas League Player of the Week on Monday and Player of the Month on Tuesday, made the RockHounds pay after striking out in each of his first three at-bats.
He hit a chopper that went just over the third baseman's head for the game-winner.
Naturals manager Vance Wilson acknowledged he was surprised the RockHounds pitched to Adams, who hit .476 last week and over .300 in June.
"I was happy to see Lane come up in that situation but surprised they pitched to him with (Orlando) Calixte struggling a little bit hitting behind him," Wilson said. "But I was proud of the guys for battling. Games like this you've got to win if you're gonna stay in this thing."
Angel Franco went 4-for-4 to lead the Naturals offense, scoring two runs and driving in two. He keyed a three-run seventh that gave Northwest Arkansas a 4-1 lead.
However, Midland scored a run in the eighth and three in the ninth aided by two Naturals errors to grab a 5-4 lead.
Ethan Chapman's sacrifice fly tied it, and Adams, who finished with two hits, came up with the game-winner.
Short Hops
• Naturals starting pitcher Andy Ferguson didn't get a decision but pitched well again. He allowed a run on three hits over six innings while striking out seven and walking two. The right-hander threw 94 pitches, 59 for strikes.
• The Naturals announced a pair of roster moves before Wednesday's game, promoting pitcher Christian Binford from Class A advanced Wilmington and sending utility man Mark Threlkeld to the Blue Rocks. Binford, a 6-foot-6 right-hander, went 5-4 with a 2.40 ERA with Wilmington. He is rated as the No. 10 prospect in the Kansas City Royals organization by Baseball America.
Extra Bases: Naturals catcher Parker Morin was activated from the disabled list but sent to Idaho Falls in the Rookie League. ... Max Ramirez was originally penciled into the lineup as designated hitter but was scratched for a hip flexor issue and is day-to-day. ... Fewer than 200 reserved tickets remain for Friday's game against Midland.
Royals Pipeline: Former Natural Whit Merrifield, who was promoted to Triple-A earlier this season, went 3-for-8 in a doubleheader for Omaha on Tuesday. Merrifield has been on a tear at the plate, destroying Pacific Coast League pitching recently. He's hitting .391 in 22 games for Omaha this year, but an incredible .444 (20-of-45) with six doubles, nine runs scored and four RBIs in his last 10 games.
On Deck: Tonight will be the second game of the three-game set against Midland. The Naturals will send RHP J.C. Sulbaran (5-5, 3.02) to the mound to face RHP Chris Jensen (4-7, 4.05).
Today's Promotion: The Naturals will wear special patriotic jerseys during tonight's game. The jerseys will be available for silent auction during the game. Fans that purchase the jerseys will be able to receive them from players or coaching staff following the game. Fans can also purchase peanuts, mozzarella sticks and small Coke fountain drinks for $1. There will also be postgame fireworks.
On The Air: KQSM-FM 92.1
On The Web: www.nwanaturals.com
Sports on 07/03/2014