The last time Northwest Arkansas hosted Arkansas, the Naturals took three out of four games away from their in-state rival and set the stage for a four-game winning streak, matching their longest of the season.
The Travelers finally return to Arvest Ballpark more than a month later as Northwest Arkansas begins a seven-game homestand tonight. The Naturals will host Arkansas for three games, then take on Springfield for a four-game series that begins Thursday.
At A Glance
Northwest Arkansas Naturals Homestand
At Arvest Ballpark, Springdale
On The Air: KQSM-FM 92.1
Series Schedule
Today: vs. Arkansas, 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday: vs. Arkansas, 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday: vs. Arkansas, 7:05 p.m.
Thursday: vs. Springfield, 7:05 p.m.
Friday: vs. Xxxxx, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday: vs. Xxxxx, 7:35 p.m.
Sunday: vs. Xxxxx, 6:05 p.m.
This Week’s Promotions
Today: Monday Night Lights, where Ozarks Electric customers can receive buy one, get one free tickets at the Arvest Ballpark box office. It’s also Dollar Hot Dog Night and fans can play baseball bingo for prizes.
Tuesday: Arvest Two for Tuesday night, where fans can enjoy special 2-for-1 deals throughout the ballpark on tickets and select items. It’s also half-price group night, where groups of 20 more can reserve seats for $4.
Wednesday: #winningwednesday, where fans can get a free reserved seat ticket for the next Wednesday home game if the Naturals win. It’s also half-price group night, where groups of 20 more can reserve seats for $4.
Thursday: Christmas in July, where the first 1,000 fans will receive a free Santa hat. It’s also Thirsty Thursday, where a select number of items, including small soft drinks, will be on sale for $1.
Friday: TMNT Turtle Power Night, which includes an appearance by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as well as a post-game fireworks show. It’s also Barefoot Night, where fans can enjoy free Barefoot samples at a place on the concourse to be determined.
Saturday: Pre-game festivities include Midget Championship Wrestling on the field, and the first 2,000 fans will receive a free soccer ball.
Sunday: Family Sunday as kids ages 12 and under will eat free and get a chance to run around the bases after the game. It’s also an Andy’s Frozen Custard summer reading program recognition day.
Ticket Packages
• Super Premium A: $12
• Premium: $10
• Reserved: $8
• Grass Berm: $7
• Super Premium Family: $12
• Premium Family: $10
Online
The two teams haven't seen each other in a while, but they will get to know each other real well through the remainder of the season. They are scheduled to face each other 12 times out of the 40 games remaining in the regular season.
The series comes at a time when both teams are jockeying for first place in the North Division standings. Northwest Arkansas, which entered Sunday's game at Springfield with a 14-15 record over the second half of the season, trails Arkansas by one game and is tied with Tulsa.
Christian Binford (1-1, 3.38 ERA) will draw the starting nod tonight, his fourth for the Naturals since he was called up from Class-A Advanced Wilmington, where he compiled a 5-4 record with a 2.40 ERA. The right-hander's last outing was Wednesday, when he threw seven innings and allowed two runs on seven hits in a loss against Tulsa.
Binford will be opposed by Arkansas' ace left-hander Michael Roth (8-5, 2.36), who has compiled a 7-2 record with a 1.57 ERA in his last 10 outings with the Travelers, including a victory Wednesday against Springfield. He also made a brief appearance with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, where he picked up the win in relief in a July 5 game against Houston.
Right-hander Tim Melville (1-9, 5.04) draws the start for Tuesday's game, while righty Matt Murray (0-3, 4.72) will make his third start of the season Wednesday after 17 previous appearances out of the bullpen. Arkansas will counter with a pair of left-handers as Buddy Boshers (0-3, 3.06) takes the mound Tuesday, followed by Kramer Sneed (6-7, 4.58).
Northwest Arkansas will conclude the homestand Sunday against Springfield, then begin a three-game series against Arkansas in North Little Rock.
Sports on 07/21/2014