SPRINGDALE — Mauricio Ramos had three hits and two RBI, and Eric Skoglund allowed just two hits over 6 2/3 innings as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals defeated the Tulsa Drillers 7-1 on Friday.
Skoglund (7-10) allowed one run while striking out eight and walking two to pick up the win.
Tulsa cut the deficit to 2-1 in the fourth after Alex Verdugo hit a solo home run.
The Naturals extended their lead in the fifth inning when Samir Duenez hit a two-run single.
Brock Stewart (3-4) went three innings, allowing two runs and four hits in the Texas League game. He also struck out three and walked one.
CARDINALS 5, TRAVELERS 0
Ian McKinney, Rowan Wick and Blake McKnight combined for a shutout as the Springfield Cardinals beat the Arkansas Travelers 5-0 on Friday.
McKinney (1-0) picked up the win after he struck out three and walked two while allowing four hits over six scoreless innings. Jordan Kipper (12-7) went 5 2/3 innings, allowing five runs and 12 hits in the Texas League game. He also struck out three and walked three.
Springfield started the scoring in the second inning. After hitting a single, Jonathan Rodriguez advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, went to third on a fielder’s choice, and then scored on a single by Blake Drake.
The Cardinals later added two runs in the third and one in the fifth and sixth to finish off the shutout.
Rodriguez singled three times, driving in a run and also scoring one in the win.
The Travelers were held off the scoreboard for the 12th time this season, while the Cardinals’ staff recorded their 11th shutout of the year.