SPRINGDALE --Northwest Arkansas is building some momentum for the postseason in its final homestand of the season.
Brooks Pounders pitched seven innings and catcher Zane Evans hit a three-run double to lead the Travelers to a 5-4 victory over Springfield before a crowd of 2,597 Thursday at Arvest Ballpark. Northwest Arkansas clinched the series with its third consecutive victory over Springfield. The teams play again tonight before Arkansas comes to town to complete the Naturals' seven-game homestand.
Northwest Arkansas 5, Springfield 4
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Northwest Arkansas^004^000^10X—^5^9^0
"We keep preaching pitching and defense," Northwest Arkansas manager Vance Wilson said. "Timely hitting will come. As long as you're pitching well and playing fundamental defense, that's what you want going into the playoffs."
Pounders (3-3) was followed by Sam Selman, who pitched two hitless innings for his third save of the season.
Both pitchers were supported by Ramon Torres, who hit a home run and sparkled with his defensive play at shortstop for the Naturals.
"(Torres) has really put himself on the map this year," Wilson said. "When you've got someone like (Raul) Mondesi, who we're all excited about, a kid like Torres can get lost in the shadows. But Torres is a big-time prospect."
Northwest Arkansas (64-64) broke a 4-4 tie with the help of some shoddy defensive play by Springfield (57-72) in the seventh. Bubba Starling struck out swinging but reached first base on a passed ball by catcher Alberto Rosario. Jorge Bonifacio followed with a single to right field and Starling continued home when David Washington overran the ball.
Pounders went seven innings and left with a 5-4 lead for Northwest Arkansas. Pounders allowed six hits and four runs with two walks and seven strikeouts.
Evans broke a 1-1 tie when he hit a three-run double down the left field line against Springfield starter Jimmy Reed. The hit followed consecutive singles by Bubba Starling, Bonifacio, and Lane Adams and a strikeout by Hunter Dozier.
SHORT HOPS
• Ramon Torres turned in a standout defensive play at shortstop in addition to hitting a home run for the Naturals. Torres fielded a hard one-hop grounder deep at short and threw out David Washington at first base. The play followed a two-run home run by Jonathan Rodriguez to cut the Naturals' lead to 4-3.
Extra Bases: Northwest Arkansas improved to 19-12 this season against the Cardinals, who are 3-12 at Arvest Ballpark. ... Torres, Bonifacio, and Lane Adams each had two hits Thursday for the Naturals, who outhit the Cardinals 9-6. ... Jonathan Rodriguez hit a home run and Charlie Tilson a triple to lead the Cardinals.
Today's promotion: First responders night, ending with postgame fireworks. Camouflage jersey giveaway for first 2,000 customers and Scout Night campout.
On Deck: The series continues at 7:05 p.m with right-hander Kyle Zimmer (1-4, 2.75 ERA) going for the Naturals against right-hander Andrew Morales (4-6, 4.84 ERA) for the Cardinals.
On The Air: 92.1-FM, The Ticket
On The Web: www.naturals.com
Sports on 08/28/2015