SPRINGDALE -- Raul Mondesi picked a good time for his first extra-base hit with Northwest Arkansas.
Mondesi hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning to lead the Naturals to an 8-7 comeback victory over the Arkansas Travels on Tuesday before a crowd of 2,962 at Arvest Ballpark.
Today’s game
ARKANSAS AT NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
WHEN 11:05 a.m.
WHERE Arvest Ballpark, Springdale
RADIO KARN-AM, 920, in central Arkansas; KFAY-AM, 1030, in Springdale
WEBSITE travs.com and nwanaturals. com
PITCHERS Travs: Tyler DeLoach (LHP, -2, 2.32); Naturals: J.C. Sulbaran (RHP, -3, 3.96) TICKETS $12 super premium, $10 premium, $8 reserved, $7 grass berm.
TRAVS WEEK AHEAD
TODAY at NW Arkansas, 11:05 a.m.
THURSDAY at NW Arkansas, 7:05 p.m.
FRIDAY at Springfield, 7:10 p.m.
SATURDAY at Springfield, 6:10 p.m.
SUNDAY at Springfield, 6:10 p.m.
MONDAY at Springfield, 12:10 p.m.
TUESDAY San Antonio, 7:10 p.m.
Mondesi's home run to left field capped a six-run rally for Northwest Arkansas, which trailed 5-2 in the fifth inning.
"Raul was getting a little pull happy early, but he stayed on the ball away on the home run," Northwest Arkansas Manager Vance Wilson said of Mondesi, who played in only his fifth game for the Naturals after being slowed by a lower back strain. "I was more proud of the adjustment he made at the plate more than anything."
The victory improved Northwest Arkansas (26-12) to 6-0 this season against the Travelers (21-16), who are 4 1/2 games behind the league-leading Naturals in the Texas League North.
Angel Franco tied the game 5-5 with a two-run single up the middle against reliever Kurt Spomer. Mondesi, who hit eight home runs last season at Wilmington, followed with his first home run at Arvest Ballpark to put the Naturals ahead 8-5.
Wade Hinkle went 4 for 4 for Arkansas, which scored two runs in the seventh to pull to within one run.
Tuesday's game was quite a contrast from Monday, when Northwest Arkansas beat the Travelers 3-2 in 10 innings. Arkansas outhit Northwest Arkansas 14-13 and the teams combined to use nine pitchers. Benino Prunedo (1-0) earned the victory while Brandon Finnegan pitched the last two innings to earn the save.
Northwest Arkansas earned the comeback victory Tuesday after starter Jonathan Dziedzic allowed 4 runs and 8 hits in 4 innings.
The left-hander got off to a poor start in the first inning when Arkansas scored two runs on two hits and an error. His performance was a slight improvement over his spot start at Class AAA Omaha, when he allowed 8 runs and 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings against Round Rock.
Travs leadoff hitter Sherman Johnson reached safely for the 15th consecutive road game when he reached on an error by Northwest Arkansas first baseman Alex Liddi to begin the game.
Sports on 05/20/2015