SPRINGDALE -- The Northwest Arkansas Naturals cruised to the first-half North Division Texas League title, but they are off to a slow start in the second half.
The Naturals are 4-7 following a 5-4 loss at Midland on Monday. But they are also a missing a key cog to the offense since Balbino Fuenmayor was promoted the Triple-A Omaha over the weekend. The first baseman occupied the clean-up spot in the batting order most nights and was among the top three in the league in batting average, home runs and RBIs.
At A Glance
Northwest Arkansas Naturals Homestand
At Arvest Ballpark, Springdale
On The Air: KQSM-FM 92.1
Series Schedule
Today: vs. Frisco, 7:05 p.m.
Thursday: vs. Frisco, 7:05 p.m.
Friday: vs. Frisco, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday: vs. Midland, 6:05 p.m.
Sunday: vs. Midland, 6:05 p.m.
Monday: vs. Frisco, 7:05 p.m.
This Week’s Promotions
Today: Groups of 20 or more may purchase reserved tickets for half price when bought in advantance. … When the Naturals win on Wednesday at home all tickets to that game are good for a free reserved seat to following Wednesday home game. … Bring a Pioneer gravy proof or purchse to get a buy one, get one free premium or reserved ticket.
Thursday: The first 3,000 fans will receive special Naturals rally towels. … The game will be televised nationally on the CBS sports network. … Mozarella sticks, peanuts and small Coke products are $1, while 16-ounce draft beer is $2 at specific locations. .. There will be a post-game fireworks display.
Friday: There will be a post-game fireworks display and also an appearance by two members of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Saturday: Drake White and The Big Fire will perform a post-game concert and fans can get half price beer from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the Craft Beer Corner down the first base concourse.
Sunday: The first 1,500 fans will receive a special Naturals camouflage cap. … Kids 12 and under receive a voucher for a free hot dog, chips and 12 ounce soda and also will have the chance to run the bases after the game.
Monday: Ozark Electric Cooperative customers can get buy one, get one free premium or reserved tickets. … Hot dogs are $1 every Monday.
Ticket Packages
• Super Premium A: $12
• Premium: $10
• Reserved: $8
• Grass Berm: $7
• Super Premium Family: $12
• Premium Family: $10
Online
Naturals manager Vance Wilson said Fuenmayor carried a big stick, but now it's time for others to step forward and take up the slack.
"Nobody's kidding anyone, anytime we needed something big he did it," Wilson said. "But now it's time for those others to step up and take on the workload."
Utility man Alex Liddi, who was also chosen to the Texas League All-Star Game, will now step into the cleanup spot in the lineup, Wilson said. He was named Texas League Player of the Week on Monday, going 7-for-15 with two home runs last week.
"The one thing that's kinda overlooked is Alex Liddi is having a heck of a year," Wilson said. "It's kind of been lost in the shuffle with Balbino doing what he's done."
Wilson said infielder Angel Franco, who has been sidelined for a month with a strained ligament in his knee, could be back in Northwest Arkansas by the end of the week. Franco hit .310 and was also selected to the North Division All-Stars. He went 1-for-4 in his second game with the Royals' Rookie League team in Arizona on Monday.
In addition, shortstop Raul Mondesi, rated the No. 1 prospect in the Kansas City Royals' minor league system by Baseball America, is back to close to 100 percent, after missing most of the last couple of weeks with a back problem, Wilson said. He missed the first month with a back strain.
"We wanted to make sure it didn't turn into a five-week thing like before," Wilson said.
Right-handed pitcher Kyle Zimmer, a 2012 first-round draft pick who has been slowed by injuries, was called up to Northwest Arkansas late last week. He's pitched four scoreless innings in two appearances thus far. Zimmer will work exclusively out of the bullpen, but could be stretched to as long as three innings, Wilson said.
The Naturals made a roster move on Tuesday, calling up first baseman Frank Schwindel and sending infielder Logan Davis back to Class A advanced Wilmington. Schwindel hit .277 with three home runs and 32 RBIs with the Blue Rocks, including .324 in his last 10 games.
Sports on 07/08/2015