SPRINGDALE -- Northwest Arkansas climbed to the top of the Texas League North Division earlier this week. But the Naturals have struggled to score runs lately and slid back into second place as they open a seven-game homstand today.
Several of Northwest Arkansas' top run producers have slipped into an offensive funk. The trio of Mauricio Ramos, Ryan O'Hearn and Frank Schwindel have combined to hit under .200 over their last 10 games (20 of 109, .183) going into the road trip finale Sunday in Springfield.
At A Glance
Northwest Arkansas Naturals Homestand
At Arvest Ballpark, Springdale
On The Air: KQSM-FM 92.1
Series Schedule
Today: vs. Arkansas, 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday: vs. Arkansas, 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday: vs. Arkansas, 7:05 p.m.
Thursday: vs. Tulsa, 7:05 p.m.
Friday: vs. Tulsa, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday: vs. Tulsa, 6:05 p.m.
Sunday: vs. Tulsa, 2:05 p.m.
This Week’s Promotions
Today: Monday Night Lights promotion offers discounted tickets to Ozarks Electric customers. Bring bill or Co-op Connections card to box office to purchase $5 premium tickets. … Hot Dogs are $1 and also play baseball bingo for prizes.
Tuesday: Arvest customers can buy $5 premium tickets as part of two for Tuesday, also other two-for-one deals for programs and kid zone wristbands are also available. … Brats are $1, while groups of 20 or more can purchase reserve tickets for $4.
Wednesday: Groups of 20 or more can purchase reserve tickets for $4.
Thursday: The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Naturals drawstring backpack. … Cancer survivors from the area will be honored and it’s Buck Night as mozzarella stricks, peanuts and small Coke products will be $1. Also select 16-ounce draft beer will be $2.
Friday: Marshall from Nickelodeon’s Paw Patrol will be at Arvest Ballpark on the concourse to interact with fans. .. There will be post-game fireworks.
Saturday: The first 2,000 fans will receive a special Americana Naturals jersey and it will be happy hour from 4:35-5:35 p.m. prior to the game wil drink specials at the Bullpen conession stand down the right-field line.
Sunday: Kids 12-and-under receive a voucher for for free food as they enter the stadium and also all kids may run the bases at Arvest Ballpark following the game.
Ticket Packages
• Super Premium A: $12
• Premium: $10
• Reserved: $8
• Grass Berm: $7
• Super Premium Family: $12
• Premium Family: $10
Online
The threesome also has combined for just five RBIs over the last 10 games. Northwest Arkansas had lost five of six and scored just 10 runs combined in that span heading into Sunday night's Texas League game.
Infielder Corey Toups also has fallen into a slump. Despite hitting .326 in July, he's just 7 of 37 (.189) in his last 10 games, too. As a team Northwest Arkansas is hitting just .222 in July prior to Sunday's game.
Northwest Arkansas has played well at Arvest Ballpark in the second half with a division best 11-5 home record and host Tulsa and Springfield, two teams behind them in the standings this week. The Naturals are 18-18, 1.5 games behind first-place Arkansas going into Sunday night.
Pitcher Josh Staumont has been a bright spot since he was called up from Class A advanced Wilmington. The hard-throwing right-hander is 1-0 with 2.45 ERA in 14.2 innings for the Naturals. He's struck out 19 batters.
Left-hander Matt Strahm (3-8 3.43 ERA) also was called up to the Kansas City Royals from the Naturals on Sunday. The former 21st round draft pick in 2012 is rated as the No. 8 prospect in the Royals' organization and part of the 40-man roster. He made 18 starts for the Naturals this seaason, before being sent to the bullpen recently.
Sports on 08/01/2016