SPRINGDALE -- Arkansas made sure its big comeback wasn't wasted Tuesday night.
Michael Bianucci's run-scoring double snapped a 6-6 tie and helped propel the Travelers to a 12-6 win over Northwest Arkansas in 11 innings in front of 3,370 at Arvest Ballpark.
How They Scored
Arkansas 12, Northwest Arkansas 6 (11)
Arkansas^001^005^000^06^—^12^16^1
Northwest Arkansas^003^200^100^00^—^6^11^0
Boshers, Johnson (3), Giardina (5), Gott (7), Diaz (10) and Bandy; Melville, Arguelles (6), Selman (8), Williams (10) and Morin. W-Diaz, 1-0. L-Williams, 4-2. HRs- Arkansas, Long (1), Snyder (2). Northwest Arkansas, Cuthbert (9).
The Travelers broke it open in the 11th with Adam Melker's grand slam off Naturals reliever Ali Williams (4-2).
Arkansas extended its lead to two games in the Texas League North Division with the win, but had to rally from an early 5-1 deficit.
The Travelers (17-15) erased a four-run deficit thanks to a five-run top of the sixth, all after two men were out. Matt Long hit a solo home run and Michael Snyder added a two-run shot off Naturals starter Tim Melville to pull within 5-4. Maikol Gonzalez and Alex Yarbrough then added RBI-singles off reliever Noel Arguelles.
Northwest Arkansas came back to tie the game 6-6 on Justin Trapp's two-out, RBI-single in the bottom of the seventh.
The Naturals (15-17) took a 5-1 lead thanks to three runs in the third and two more in the fourth. Cheslor Cuthbert's ninth home run of the year, a two-run shot, and a two-run single by Jorge Bonifacio were the big blows.
Short Hops
• The Naturals turned three double plays in the game.
• The teams combined to use nine pitchers.
• Tuesday's game was part of the Texas League's honoring of former Tulsa Driller coach Mike Coolbaugh, who died on July 22, 2007, after being struck by a foul ball while coaching first base. Players on both teams wore commemorative wrist bands as part of Mike Coolbaugh Day celebrated around the league.
Extra Bases: Infielder Logan Davis was optioned to Rookie League Idaho Falls before Tuesday's game. ... Triple-A Omaha also announced the promotion of Naturals reliever Scott Alexander. ... Northwest Arkansas infielder Angel Franco has an eight-game hitting streak, but did not play in Tuesday's game.
Royals Pipeline: Brandon Finnegan, Kansas City's first-round draft pick in the 2014 draft, pitched three scoreless innings for Class A advanced Wilmington in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Lynchburg. The 17th overall pick allowed only one hit, struck out four and did not walk a man.
On Deck: The Naturals finish a three-game series against the Travelers tonight in a 7:05 p.m. start. Matt Murray (0-3, 4.72 ERA) will start for the Naturals. Arkansas has not named a starting pitcher.
Today's Promotion: If the Naturals win tonight, all tickets from the July 23 game will be good for a free reserved seat to the next scheduled Wednesday home game on Aug. 6 against Corpus Christi. ... Groups of 20 or more may purchase reserved tickets for $4 each in advance. ... Fans can receive buy one get one free tickets by bringing a Pioneer gravy proof of purchase or packet for donation to the box office. ... Red Dirt Outfitters will run a special for all Wednesday home games that if fans spend $40 in the store, they will be entered into a drawing for a Naturals prize from the store. ...
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On The Web: www.nwanaturals.com
Sports on 07/23/2014