SPRINGDALE -- Northwest Arkansas is back in the Texas League playoff hunt.
After Monday's 8-0 win over Arkansas, the Naturals (25-45) were 20 games under .500 and 13 1/2 games behind first-place Tulsa in the Texas League North Division standings. But Monday's game marked the end of the first half and the Naturals' slate was wiped clean beginning with last night's game against the Travelers.
Tulsa secured one of the two playoff spots from the North by winning the first half title and the second half winner will join the Drillers in the postseason. If Tulsa repeats, then the team with the next best overall record will advance, which would be bad news for the Naturals as they finished the first half nine games behind Springfield and Arkansas.
Northwest Arkansas ended the first half ranked last in batting average (.233) and ERA (4.40). The Naturals are just 1-38 when trailing after the sixth inning and they committed 96 errors the first 70 games.
But the team ended the first half with a 5-5 record in their last 10 games and they were on the short end of many one-run games in the first half. That has manager Vance Wilson in an optimistic mood entering the second half.
"This team has some talent, but you've got to execute," Wilson said after Monday's game. "Before (Monday), we had played in 27 one-run games. Typically, when we score three runs or less, our record is not very good. So, we've got to execute better in those close games."
Many of the current Naturals played for Wilson at Class A-Advanced Wilmington in 2012 and that team finished 10 games off the pace in the first half before rebounding to win the second half title and make the playoffs.
Naturals radio broadcaster Benjamin Kelly said Monday's win was the team's best overall effort this season.
"Over the last 12 games, the starters' ERA is 2.19," Kelly said. "Since the month of June turned over, this club has really made some positive strides on the mound and at the plate. I think that is going to hold over into the second half, especially with this young team.
"There is a huge upside to this ballclub."
Four Naturals players -- Andrew Triggs, Cheslor Cuthbert, Orlando Calixte and Jorge Bonifacio -- were selected to play in the Texas League All-Star Game later this month in North Little Rock after a solid first half. Lane Adams has also increased his production at the plate heading into the second half after hitting two home runs Monday.
Bonifacio was named as a replacement for Whit Merrifield, who was recently promoted to Triple-A Omaha. Merrifield was batting a team second best .278 with 20 RBIs before his promotion.
Triggs, who was is in just his second full season of professional baseball, has been especially impressive out of the bullpen after posting a 3-0 record with a 1.96 ERA in 21 appearances. Triggs has notched five saves for the Naturals, and he did not allow a run from April 21 to May 15, spanning 15 plus innings.
"Triggs has been lights out, and he has earned that role as the last guy with the ball," Kelly said. "You really don't have a closer in Minor League Baseball, but if the game is on the line, Triggs will be the guy with the ball at the end of the game. He has worked hard."
Sports on 06/18/2014