SPRINGDALE -- Northwest Arkansas will look to get back on track as it begins an eight-game homestand today against Arkansas.
The Naturals (17-18) have lost four of their last five and sit 2.5 games behind North Division leader Springfield, after losing three of four on the road to the Cardinals.
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, 11:05 a.m.
Thursday: vs. Arkansas, 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.
Monday: vs. Tulsa, 11:05 a.m.
This Week’s Promotions
Today: Ozark Electric customers can purchase discounted tickets if they bring a copy of their bill or Co-op connections card to the box office. … Hot dogs are $1.
Tuesday: Arvest Bank customers can buy $5 premium tickets and also enjoy two-for-one deals on programs and kid zone wristbands. … Brats are $1. … Groups of 20 or more can purchase $4 reserve tickets if purchased in advance.
Wednesday: It’s School Kids Day as groups are offered discounted tickets.
Thursday: Mozzarella sticks and peanuts are $1. … Small Coke fountain drinks are also $1, while 16-ounce draft beer is $2 at specific locations.
Friday: The Naturals become the Thunder Chickens, donning the special uniforms. … There will also be post-game fireworks.
Saturday: The Bullpen concession will have happy hour with specials on beers from 4:35-5:35 p.m. … There will also be post-game fireworks.
Sunday: Kids 12 and under receive a voucher for free food and can run the bases following the game.
Monday: It’s Kids Day as school groups may purchase discounted tickets.
Ticket Packages
• Super Premium A: $12
• Premium: $10
• Reserved: $8
• Grass Berm: $7
• Super Premium Family: $12
• Premium Family: $10
Online
story text created on Monday 4/7/2014 at 10:38:23 am by Chip Souza
Naturals manager Vance Wilson said his roster has been in a bit of flux lately. Third baseman Hunter Dozier and reliever Andrew Edwards were both promoted to Triple-A and shortstop Raul Mondesi was suspended 50 games for use of a banned substance all in the last 10 days.
"You lose guys like Dozier and Mondesi, it definitely changes your lineup," Wilson said. "But guys like Zane Evans and (Cam) Gallagher have swung it better, and (Mauricio) Ramos has been very good. We've added Ryan O'Hearn, a good middle of the order bat. And guys like Frank Schwindel and Evans will fall into different roles. There will be a little more pressure for them to produce."
Ramos and Orlando Calixte have both been red-hot at the plate, while Jake Junis has been strong on the mound.
Ramos is hitting at a .405 clip over his last 11 games and ranks in the top five in the Texas League with a .322 average. Calixte, who ranks second in the league in stolen bases with 12, also has been red-hot lately, hitting .389 in his last 10 games and near the top 10 with a season average of .291.
Junis picked up the win Saturday against Springfield, improving to 3-2 throwing 6.2 scoreless innings. He has now allowed just one earned run over his last three starts covering 19.2 innings. The right-hander has struck out 18 and walked three over that span.
Starter Alec Mills (1-1 2.36 ERA) also leads the league in strikeouts with 44 in 42 innings.
The Naturals are still one under the 25-man roster limit, but changes could come as soon as today, Wilson said.
Left-hander Eric Skoglund (1-1 4.83 ERA) will start tonight against the Travelers, who will counter with right-hander Troy Scribner (2-1 5.06). Scriber defeated Northwest Arkansas in his last start, allowing four runs over six innings.
Sports on 05/16/2016