SPRINGDALE -- Ashton Goudeau tossed six innings of three-hit baseball, working one of his most effective starts of the season to help both Northwest Arkansas and himself end losing streaks Thursday.
Goudeau, who hadn't won since June 15, benefited from a four-run Naturals' second inning and did much of the rest on his own. Goudeau, who allowed just four baserunners, never ran into serious trouble and stayed in control as Northwest Arkansas snapped a three-game losing streak with an 8-1 win against Springfield in front of 4,161 fans at Arvest Ballpark.
"His last start against these guys he looked really good even though he got the loss," Naturals manager Vance Wilson said. "He's been really aggressive and trying to get his fastball in there for strikes, which he did tonight. And he was able to use his off speed really well."
Goudeau had lost his last six starts before Thursday. Against the Cardinals (51-46, 10-17), he was sharp throughout after an early second-inning blip allowing an RBI double to Allen Staton.
The Naturals (44-53, 15-12), who improved to 12-9 vs. Springfield this season, got a leadoff home run from Cam Gallagher in the bottom of the second for a 2-1 lead. Corey Toups then followed with the biggest blow of the night, sending a three-run shot down the left-field line in the same inning to extend the lead to 5-1.
Gallagher also added a second home run in the eighth inning, while Terrance Gore set the table, reaching base five times by going 2-for-2 with three walks, two stolen bases and three runs.
"When Terrance is on that much it's almost unfair," Wilson said. "We're just glad to have him on our team instead of the other way around with that speed."
SHORT HOPS
• The six innings pitched by Goudeau were the most in a start for the Naturals right-hander since June 25 and the second-most in a start this season, behind only an eight-inning shutout effort on May 5.
• In a rarely enforced rule, a pitch clock violation was called twice. Springfield reliever Chandler Hawkins was issued a ball to prior to his matchup against Mauricio Ramos for taking longer than the allowed 20 seconds to throw a pitch. Then in the bottom of the same inning, Naturals' reliever Evan Beal was also hit with the same penalty for breaking the 20-second barrier to begin the inning.
On Deck: The Naturals continue their short homestead today at 7:05 p.m. with the second of four games against the Cardinals. Northwest Arkansas will send RHP Josh Staumont (0-0, 1.80 ERA) to the mound to face RHP Johnny Walter (0-2, 7.88)
Today's Promotion: Pink in the Park Night. The Naturals will wear special pink jerseys which will be auctioned off during the game. Proceeds will benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Also, Post Game Fireworks presented by Farm Rich.
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Sports on 07/22/2016