Garcia's two-run single in fifth wins game for Naturals

Cam Gallagher, Northwest Arkansas catcher, and Logan Moon, center fielder, celebrate Sunday after scoring on a single by Carlos Garcia (not pictured) in the 5th inning against Springfield at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.
Cam Gallagher, Northwest Arkansas catcher, and Logan Moon, center fielder, celebrate Sunday after scoring on a single by Carlos Garcia (not pictured) in the 5th inning against Springfield at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS 2, SPRINGFIELD 0

SPRINGDALE -- One clutch hit is all the Northwest Arkansas Naturals needed on Sunday afternoon.

Carlos Garcia's two-strike, two-out, two-run single plated the only runs of the game in the fifth inning in a 2-0 win in the series finale against Springfield before a crowd of 3,973.

The Naturals, who won their fifth straight Sunday game, bounced back from Saturday night's extra-inning loss to take the series with three wins.

"We tell the guys at this point of the season you've got to win the series," Naturals Manager Vance Wilson said. "They did a nice job to win the first two games, and they did a great job battling back last night. This was a big win for us especially at home."

Catcher Cam Gallagher singled to open the fifth inning, and Logan Moon followed with a walk. Both moved up on a one-out grounder to set up Garcia, who blooped an opposite field single over short. Gallagher and Moon easily scored for the only runs of the game.

"It was an incredible at-bat by Carlos," Wilson said. "It looked like he was almost trying to spoil that fast ball and waited on the breaking ball. It was a big hit for us."

Northwest Arkansas (46-54, 17-13 second half) and Springfield (52-48, 11-19) threatened early and often but to no avail.

Springfield loaded the bases to begin the game with the first three hitters reaching. Nick Martini and Paul DeJong singled, and Bruce Caldwell walked. Naturals starter Jake Junis worked out of the inning, coaxing an infield pop up, striking out Jonathan Rodriguez and ending the 25-pitch inning with a lazy fly ball.

Junis also stranded Juan Herrera, who doubled with two outs in the second inning. Junis also pitched around a pair of two-out singles in the third inning.

"Junis really battled through four innings," Wilson said. "We had a couple of innings of short pitches for their guy so it seemed like he was out there. He could have easily gave up some runs. You start getting into high 70s or 80 pitches in this heat, and it can really take it out of you. Cam Gallagher did an incredible job with him, keeping in the zone and keeping him battling."

Junis gave way to Eric Stout after throwing 80 pitches in four innings. Stout earned the win with three innings of scoreless work, and Evan Beal retired all six Cardinals he faced in earning his first save of the season.

"That hit kind of takes the sails out of the other team, especially when it's hot and you know there's not going to be a lot of offense," Wilson said. "The guys are hot, they're sweating. You have to battle through it. For us to get the big hit and then the bullpen to come in and do what they did is awesome."

The Naturals also threatened at times but lined into a double play, grounded into another one and grounded into a triple play in the fourth inning.

"It was kind of a crazy game, but when it's that hot you're not going to get that many opportunities to score runs," Wilson said. "We were fortunate."

SHORT HOPS

• Springfield turned its first triple play of the season and first since June, 2012 against Arkansas.

• The Naturals retired the final 10 Cardinals of the game.

• The Naturals finished July with a 9-4 record at home.

On Deck: The Naturals begin a three-game road swing to North Little Rock to the play the Travelers. Yender Caramo (2-3, 2.70) will get the start for the Naturals. It's a rare start for the 2010 nondrafted free agent signee of the Royals, who will make just his second start of the season in his 27th appearance. His first start was against Tulsa last week, and he gave up two earned runs in four innings and was not involved in the decision. The Travelers have not named a starter for Monday's game.

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Sports on 07/25/2016

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