SPRINGDALE -- Northwest Arkansas lost two starting pitchers at the trade deadline a month ago, but Naturals manager Vance Wilson said the rotation has come together in August.
Cody Reed and Sean Manaea were both dealt in deadline trades by Kansas City about a month ago, which taxed the Naturals' bullpen. But the starting group has bounced back strong, which also allowed the bullpen to get proper rest.
At A Glance
Northwest Arkansas Naturals homestand
At Arvest Ballpark, Springdale
On The Air: KQSM-FM 92.1
Series Schedule
Today: vs. Springfield, 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday: vs. Springfield, 7:05 p.m.
Thursday: vs. Springfield, 7:05 p.m.
Friday: vs. Springfield, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday: vs. Arkansas, 6:05 p.m.
Sunday: vs. Arkansas, 6:05 p.m.
Monday: vs. Arkansas, 7:05 p.m.
This Week’s Promotions
Today: Arvest bank customers can buy one premium or reserved ticket and get one free tonight. Johnsonville brats are $1 and groups of 20 or more may purchase reserved tickets at half price when bought in advance.
Wednesday: Groups of 20 or more may purchase reserved tickets at half price when bought in advance.
Thursday: It’s Buck Night as mozzarella sticks, peanuts and small Coke products are $1. In addition some 16-ounce draft beers are $2 as part of Thirsty Thursday.
Friday: The first 2,000 fans will receive an adult replica Naturals’ camouflage jersey. There will be a post-game fireworks display. In addition, scout groups can purchase discounted tickets and have a postgame camp out in the Arvest Ballpark outfield, which includes enjoying a movie on the video board.
Saturday: It will be the Night of 1,000 Giveaways as a variety of items will be involved.
Sunday: The first 1,000 fans will receive a Jack Link’s Jerky T-shirt. Kids 12-and-under eat free and may run the bases following the game. There will also be a post-game fireworks display.
Monday: Any unused ticket from the 2015 season can be redeemed for a free berm ticket. Ozark Electric customers can buy one premium or reserved ticket and get one free if they show proof at the box office. Hot dogs are also $1.
Ticket Packages
• Super Premium A: $12
• Premium: $10
• Reserved: $8
• Grass Berm: $7
• Super Premium Family: $12
• Premium Family: $10
Online
Northwest Arkansas is sporting a 3.12 team ERA in August, the best of the season for a month. That bodes well for the Naturals as they prepare for the playoffs. Northwest Arkansas opens its final homestand of the regular-season tonight against Springfield at 7:05.
Left-hander Jonathan Dziedzic (9-6) will start on the mound tonight for the Naturals. He's tied for second in the Texas League in wins (9) and third in ERA (3.06), but those numbers are even better since the All-Star break. Dziedzic is 5-2 with a 1.93 ERA in the second half and 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA in August.
Dziedzic has company in August. Luke Farrell is 2-0 with a 1.82 ERA in four starts, while Brooks Pounders, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery is only 2-2 but also has a 1.82 ERA in the month.
Wilson said Dziedzic, who is in his first year in Double-A, has worked hard with pitching coach Jim Brower to clean up some mechanical issues. But pitching inside to right-handed hitters has been a key, Wilson said.
"We had heard about him and he knows he needs to pitch in, he just didn't do it," Wilson said. "He's developed a little cutter to be effective in that lane to righties. He's been fun to watch."
However, the Naturals' offense is struggling. Northwest Arkansas has a season-low .255 team batting average in August.
Infielders Alex Liddi and Raul Mondesi are two players, who have been solid offensively lately. But Wilson said the Naturals must have more heading into the playoffs in a couple weeks. Liddi is hitting .325 in August and is tied for the league lead with 35 doubles. Mondesi is hitting just .260 for the season, but going at a .308 clip in August.
"Liddi's been Liddi and Mondesi, that's the best I've seen him play offensively the last three weeks or so," Wilson said. "We have to have other guys step up. Guys like Jorge Bonifacio, Hunter Dozier, Zane Evans are putting a lot of pressure on themselves."
Dozier, a first-round pick in 2013, is hitting just .213 this season and leads the Texas League with 136 strikeouts. He's struggled even more lately, hitting at a .182 clip.
Sports on 08/25/2015