SPRINGDALE -- Northwest Arkansas was double trouble for Arkansas on Wednesday.
Northwest Arkansas hit a season-high six doubles and Jorge Bonifacio and Angel Franco hit solo home runs as the Naturals defeated the Travelers 8-2 before 3,603 fans in Arvest Ballpark. The eight extra base hits were also a season high as the Naturals (2-0) won for the third-straight time, which matches the longest home winning streak of the season.
Northwest Arkansas 8, Arkansas 2
Arkansas^000^000^110^ — 2^8^1
Northwest Arkansas^100^320^11x^ — 8^14^1
Arenas, Johnson (4), Spomer (6), Giardina (9) and Bandy; Ferguson, Culver (8) and Graterol. W — Ferguson, 5-6. L — Arenas, 5-3. HRs — Northwest Arkansas, Bonifacio (4), Franco (2). Arkansas, Bandy (5).
At A Glance
Texas League Standings
North Division
Second Half
Team^W-L^GB
Northwest Arkansas^2-0^—
Springfield^2-0^—
Tulsa^0-2^2.o
Arkansas^0-2^2.0
Wednesday’s Scores
Springfield 7, Tulsa 5
Northwest Arkansas 8, Arkansas 2
Frisco at Midland (N)
Corpus Christi at San Antonio (N)
Today’s Games
Tulsa at Northwest Arkansas, 7:05 p.m.
Springfield at Arkansas, 7:10 p.m.
Midland at San Antonio, 7:05 p.m.
Frisco at Corpus Christi, 7:05 p.m.
The Naturals finished with 14 hits and they took a 6-0 lead to the sixth inning. Five of the Naturals first six runs crossed with two outs. Cheslor Cuthbert and Max Ramirez hit back-to-back run-scoring doubles in the fifth for the early lead.
"(Hitting coach) Andre David has come up with this no man left behind RBI principal," Naturals manager Vance Wilson said. "The biggest thing is that if there is an RBI out there and the guy in front of you doesn't get it done, you have to step up and get it done. Obviously, two-out RBIs are huge to pull games out like that. We have to figure out a way to score runs, and the guys did it."
Naturals starter Andy Ferguson (5-6) won for the third time in his last four starts after going 7 2/3 innings. Ferguson scattered eight hits and gave up two runs while striking out four.
"Our pitching for the month of June has been really solid," Wilson said. "Ferguson, being an older guy, really stepped up to the challenge."
Short Hops:
• Kansas City promoted third baseman Hunter Dozier to the Naturals Wednesday. Dozier was the Royals top draft pick in 2013 (eighth overall) and the former Stephen F. Austin player has batted .302 with 11 home runs and 91 RBIs in 135 professional games. Dozier was batting .295 with four home runs and 39 RBIs at Class A-Advanced Wilmington before being promoted. In less than a year, Dozier has played at four different levels in the Royals organization. He could be in uniform tonight.
• Ramirez (.302) has now hit safely in 11 of the last 13 games. He was hitless in his first five games after joining the Naturals May 29.
• Cuthbert also doubled in the eighth while Bonifacio, Mark Threlkeld and Ethan Chapman also hit doubles. Threlkeld plated two runners with his double in the fourth inning that gave the Naturals a 4-0 lead.
Extra Bases: Reliever Malcom Culver closed out the game for the Naturals by retiring four of the five Arkansas batters he faced. ... Both teams stranded nine runners.
Royals Pipeline: Outfielder Bubba Starling, the Royals top pick in the 2011 draft, is batting .184 with three home runs and 30 RBIs at Wilmington. ... Pitcher Scott Blewett recently signed ($1.8 million) with the Royals after being taken in the second round of this year's draft. The 6-foot-6, 210-pound right-hander will report to Class A Burlington after he goes through his high school graduation ceremonies Sunday.
On Deck: The Naturals open a four-game homestand with Tulsa tonight. Right-hander Jason Adam (1-6, 5.87 ERA) will get the start for Northwest Arkansas. Tulsa will send right-hander Richard Castillo (2-5, 4.64 ERA) to the hill.
Today's Promotion: Tonight is Buck Night and there will be toothbrush holder giveaway sponsored by Arkansas Office of Oral Health.
On The Air: KQSM-FM 92.1
On The Web: www.nwanaturals.com
Sports on 06/19/2014