Arkansas Continues Naturals Home Woes With Late Rally

 STAFF PHOTO SAMANTHA BAKER • @NWASAMANTHA Jorge Bonifacio of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals snaps his bat in half Tuesday at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale during the game against the visiting Arkansas Travelers.
STAFF PHOTO SAMANTHA BAKER • @NWASAMANTHA Jorge Bonifacio of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals snaps his bat in half Tuesday at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale during the game against the visiting Arkansas Travelers.

SPRINGDALE -- Northwest Arkansas manager Vance Wilson is hoping today's off day will do the Naturals some good.

Northwest Arkansas hasn't earned a day off, but they need one after Tuesday's 5-4 loss to Arkansas.

How They Scored

Arkansas 5, Northwest Arkansas 4

Arkansas^000^002^111^ — ^5^10^0

Northwest Arkansas^200^020^000^ —^4^4^1

Sappington, Johnson (6), Arenas (8), Bedrosian (9) and De La Rosa; Adam, Alexander (7), Rodriguez (8), Murray (9) and Graterol. W — Arenas, 2-1. L — Murray, 0-1. HRs — Arkansas, Borenstein (3)

At A Glance

Texas League Standings

North Division

Team^W-L^GB

Springfield^16-16^—

Arkansas^16-16^—

Tulsa^15-17^—^1.0

Northwest Arkansas^11-21^5.0

Tuesday’s Scores

Arkansas 5, Northwest Arkansas 4

Springfield 2, Tulsa 1

Frisco 12, Midland 7

San Antonio at Corpus Christi (N)

Today’s Games

None

Thursday’s Games

Springfield at Northwest Arkansas, 7:05 p.m.

Tulsa at Arkansas, 7:10 p.m.

San Antonio at Midland, 7 p.m.

Corpus Christi at Frisco, 7:05 p.m.

Northwest Arkansas blew a 4-0 lead and Arkansas left fielder Zach Borenstein broke a 4-4 tie with a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning with two outs as the Travelers completed a sweep of the Naturals before 6,962 in Arvest Ballpark. Northwest Arkansas (11-21) is now just 2-14 at home this season and have lost five of its last six games.

The Naturals had just four hits, including a pair of doubles by Lane Adams. But Northwest Arkansas stranded six runners and they put the leadoff runners aboard in the sixth and seventh innings while failing to score each time.

"We hit a lot of balls in the air," Wilson said. "We will take a much needed day off, mentally more than anything. We will come back grinding on Thursday. When you are struggling mentally like we are, and when they are not used to struggling, it is a well needed day off."

Borenstein's third home run of the season capped a 10-hit Travelers (16-16) attack that saw them score single runs the last three innings off three different Naturals relievers.

"Obviously, Arkansas' offense has a great approach," Wilson said. "They take what you give them. They battle and get base hits to keep it alive. Give them credit, they executed and that is the Angels thing."

Short Hops

• Arkansas starter Mark Sappington walked in two runners in the first inning while throwing 34 pitches, 13 for strikes. Sappington, the No. 4 prospect in the Angels organization, went six innings and gave up four runs, four hits and six walks while striking out two.

• Naturals leadoff hitter Justin Trapp was 0-for-5, ending a streak of 21 games where he reached base safely.

• Naturals reliever Matthew Murray took the loss in his first appearance with the Naturals. Murray retired the first two Arkansas batters to start the ninth before giving up the home run to Borenstein, which was in the deepest part of Arvest Ballpark.

Extra Bases: Naturals starter Jason Adam struck out six in six innings but didn't figure in the decision. Four Naturals pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts.

Royals Pipeline: Class A-Advanced Wilmington third baseman Hunter Dozier hit a walkoff grand slam as the Blue Rocks beat Salem 6-4 Tuesday. Dozier is hitting .375 over the last 10 games and he will carry a six-game hitting streak into Wednesday's game. Dozier, the Royals top pick (eighth overall) in 2013, is batting .280 on the year with four doubles, two home runs and 17 RBI in 29 games. Teammate Bubba Starling, the Royals top pick in 2011, continues to struggle as the outfielder is hitting .163 with 35 strikeouts in 104 at-bats.

On Deck: Today is an off day for the Naturals in the middle of the current eight-game homestand. Springfield comes to town Thursday to end the homestand with a four-game set with the Naturals. Northwest Arkansas will send right-hander Tim Melville (1-1, 2.32 ERA) to the mound Thursday. Springfield has not announced its rotation.

Thursday's Promotion: Buck Night on Thirsty Thursday presented by Adventure Subaru.

On The Air: KQSM-FM 92.1

On The Web: www.nwanaturals.com

Sports on 05/07/2014

Upcoming Events