SPRINGDALE -- Northwest Arkansas pitcher Eric Skoglund threw a pair of strikes past Matt Chapman, then he tried to do it one more time Saturday night.
That didn't work. The Texas League's home run leader connected and launched a three-run shot well over the left-field fence, and Midland went on to complete a three-game sweep of the Naturals with a 7-0 decision at Arvest Ballpark.
Skoglund (4-6) started the third inning with two straight outs, then he walked J.P. Sportman and Carson Blair. Tyler Marincov followed with a single to give the RockHounds (40-39, 7-2) their first run before Chapman blasted his 20th home run of the season and his third in as many games against Northwest Arkansas (33-46, 4-5).
"I'm disappointed in the fact that we missed a defensive play that led to those four runs," Naturals manager Vance Wilson said. "We had a caught stealing and didn't tag. That's unacceptable.
"The problem is we have to be more resilient. We shouldn't have been in that situation. We should have had that tag at second base. That's what I'm disappointed about."
That was more than enough for Joel Seddon (3-6) to work with as the right-hander combined with Andres Avila to shut out the Naturals on eight hits. Northwest Arkansas had its chances to score but stranded six players in scoring position and also hit into four double plays.
The Naturals had three hits and a walk in the sixth against Seddon and had nothing to show for it. Humberto Arteaga's leadoff single was wiped out when Ryan O'Hearn hit into a 3-5-1 double play, then singles by Mauricio Ramos and Frank Schwindel and a walk to Zane Evans went for naught as Logan Moon fouled out to first.
"A lot of times you can outhit a team, and you don't do any damage like they did," Wilson said. "They did damage in that one inning, and you can't hit into double plays like we did."
"We've got to get the ball up. You can't do damage on the ground. With that being said, it was a disappointing loss."
Short Hops: (No more than 3)
• Outfielder Bubba Starling, the Royals' top pick in the 2011 draft, was promoted Saturday to Triple-A Omaha. The move left the Naturals with just 24 players for Saturday's game since no other move was announced.
• Terrance Gore had two hits without a ball leaving the infield. The speedy outfielder bunted his way for a single in the fourth, then hit a sharp grounder that Midland first baseman Wade Kirkland snagged but couldn't make a throw.
• Arteaga, who joined the Naturals before Thursday's game, picked up his first Double-A hit when he lined a single off the glove of second baseman Yairo Munoz to lead off the sixth.
On Deck: The Naturals' homestand continues as the Frisco RoughRiders come to Arvest Ballpark for three games. Northwest Arkansas will send right-hander Jake Junis (6-4, 3.30) to the mound for the 6:35 p.m. start, while Frisco counters with righty Reed Garrett (2-2, 5.20).
Today's Promotion: The third night of the Great American Blast is scheduled with fireworks following the game. Fans will be entertained by great Americana music throughout the game and during the fireworks, and kids of all ages have an opportunity to run the bases after the game.
On The Air: KQSM-FM 92.1
On The Web: www.nwanaturals.com.
Sports on 07/03/2016