SPRINGDALE — Yender Caramo is starting to make a name for himself with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Caramo, a quick-working right-hander, pitched eight shutout innings and the Naturals defeated the San Antonio Missions, 5-2, on Saturday before a paid crowd of 5,430 at Arvest Ballpark.
Caramo (4-7) only threw 88 pitches and allowed three hits with five strikeouts and two walks. It was his seventh start of the season and 31st overall since moving from the bullpen into the starting rotation.
“Unbelievable,” Naturals manager Vance Wilson said. “He’s actually been good here for a long time. He’s gone through some starts for us, obviously a converted guy from bullpen to starter. With that power sinker, he’s put himself on the map, no question.”
Caramo faced the minimum over the first five innings, with the Naturals turning a pair of double plays to help his cause.
The Naturals (28-27, 57-68) took the lead in the sixth when Corey Toups hit a solo home run for a 1-0 lead. Toups finished with three of the Naturals’ eight hits.
“Toups is having a hell of a season,” Wilson said. “He’s a kid that really his whole career has put numbers up. To come up here and keep doing what he’s doing is just awesome to see.”
Northwest Arkansas added three runs in a wild seventh inning, which included a peculiar play at the plate.
Logan Moon walked to lead off the seventh inning, stole second base and moved to third on a ground ball.
The Naturals tried to squeeze Moon in with Terrance Gore at the plate. Gore’s bunt went to Missions pitcher Adam Cimber, who appeared to throw home in plenty of time to get Moon.
Moon’s slide was wide of the plate and the home plate umpire did not signal out or safe on the play. Amid the confusion, Moon stood up and stepped on home plate, and the umpire called safe for a 2-0 lead.
“I’m not surprised that the guy didn’t tag him just because it was such a crazy slide,” Wilson said. “When the umpire doesn’t make a call, both guys didn’t react great at first. At least Logan saw it and went back and touched home.”
Missions catcher Rocky Gale was ejected immediately after the play, and San Antonio manager Phillip Wellman argued the play but remained in the game.
The Naturals scored two more runs in the inning and one more in the eighth. Alfredo Escalera had an RBI single in the seventh, and Frank Schwindel added a sacrifice fly. Zane Evans hit a pop fly that dropped in shallow left-center field for a double and later scored on a wild pitch.
SHORT HOPS
• With the victory, the Naturals remained in first place in the Texas League North Division. The Missions (29-26, 51-74) remained in second place in the South Division.
• Daniel Stumpf pitched the ninth inning for the Naturals, allowing two earned runs on two hits and one walk.
• Missions starter Dinelson Lamet (5-7) took the loss, throwing 5 1/3 innings with one earned run and seven strikeouts.
On Deck: The Naturals wrap up their six-game home stand with a 2:05 p.m. first pitch against the Missions. The Naturals will send righthander Josh Staumont (1-1, 4.13 ERA) against Missions right-hander Kyle Lloyd (6-6, 3.67).
Today’s Promotions: Today’s game features a number of promotions including the final Bark in the Park of the year. Dogs will be admitted into the game for free as long as they are accompanied by a paid owner. Fans can receive a free pet leash with a $50 purchase in the Naturals Team Store. Sunday is also Kids Eat Free, where kids 12 and under receive a voucher for a hot dog, chips and 12 oz. soda. Kids are also allowed to run the bases after the game. Fans are invited to stay after the game for a post-game viewing of Fox’s new TV show “Pitch” on the videoboard.
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