SPRINGDALE -- The start of Matt Tenuta's Double-A career hasn't been what he's wanted, but the Northwest Arkansas left-hander was in fine form Tuesday afternoon.
Tenuta pitched six shutout innings and Frank Schwindel and Zane Evans hit solo home runs as the Naturals completed the four-game sweep of the Arkansas Travelers with a 3-1 win before a season-high 8,614 fans on Kids Day at Arvest Ballpark.
NW Arkansas 3, Arkansas 1
Arkansas^000^000^010^—^1^9^1
NW Arkansas^010^100^10x^—^350
Arkansas^AB^R^H^RBI^BB^SO^LOB^AVG
Taylor, C, LF^4^0^1^0^0^0^0^.337
Miller, I, CF^4^0^1^0^0^2^2^.317
Casteel, 1B^4^0^1^0^0^1^3^.282
Waldrop, RF^4^0^2^0^0^1^1^.282
Littlewood, C^4^0^1^0^0^1^2^.297
Petty, DH^4^0^0^0^0^1^2^.224
Wong, SS^4^0^1^0^0^2^2^.222
Baum, 2B^3^1^1^1^0^0^1^.192
Hebert, 3B^3^0^1^0^0^1^0^.171
Totals^34^1^9^1^0^9^13^
BATTING
HR: Baum (1, 8th inning off Rico, L, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Littlewood; Taylor, C; Baum 4; Waldrop 2; Wong; Hebert; Casteel; Miller, I. RBI: Baum (8). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Casteel; Wong. GIDP: Baum; Casteel. Team RISP: 0-for-4. Team LOB: 6. SB: Miller, I (13, 2nd base off Tenuta/Evans).
NW Arkansas^AB^R^H^RBI^BB^SO^LOB^AVG
Dewees Jr., DH^4^0^1^0^0^1^0^.228
Escalera, LF^4^1^1^0^0^0^1^.277
Ramos, 3B^4^0^1^0^0^1^1^.248
Schwindel, 1B^2^1^1^2^0^0^0^.342
Evans, C^3^1^1^1^0^0^1^.205
Sosa, R, 2B^2^0^0^0^1^0^0^.262
Lopez, Jac, SS^3^0^0^0^0^0^3^.300
Moon, RF^3^0^0^0^0^1^0^.231
Gore, CF^3^0^0^0^0^0^0^.254
Totals^28^3^5^3^1^3^6^
BATTING
2B: Escalera (5, Caughel). HR: Schwindel (6, 2nd inning off Caughel, 0 on, 0 out); Evans (2, 7th inning off Paez, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Schwindel 4; Ramos; Dewees Jr.; Evans 4; Escalera 2. RBI: Schwindel 2 (24); Evans (10). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Ramos. SF: Schwindel. Team RISP: 1-for-4. Team LOB: 3.
Arkansas^IP^H^R^ER^BB^SO^HR^ERA
Caughel (L, 2-3)^6.0^3^2^2^1^3^1^4.05
Paez^1.0^1^1^1^0^0^1^11.57
Curtis^1.0^1^0^0^0^0^0^3.21
NW Arkansas^IP^H^R^ER^BB^SO^HR^ERA
Tenuta (W, 2-1)^6.0^4^0^0^0^4^0^7.61
Rico, L (H, 2)^1.0^4^1^1^0^2^1^4.35
Hill (S, 1)^2.0^1^0^0^0^3^0^6.91
Rico, L pitched to 3 batters in the 8th.
WP: Caughel.
Umpires: HP: Cody Oakes. 1B: Justin Robinson. 3B: Reid Gibbs.
T: 2:17. Att: 8,614.
Tenuta, who came into the game with a 1-1 record and a 10.19 ERA in 17 2/3 innings, only gave up four hits and didn't walk a batter while striking out four.
"Obviously it's really easy to let down and get content when you've won the first three," Naturals manager Vance Wilson said. "To come out and do what he did today was very special."
Tenuta (2-1) said he's been working with Wilson and pitching coach Steve Luebber the last 10 days to try and correct some mechanical issues.
Tenuta said he thought he threw the ball well in his last start on May 4 in Springfield, when he pitched solid until the fourth inning.
The Naturals (18-12) also turned a double play in the fifth to help Tenuta get out of a jam.
"Today (against Arkansas) I just tried to stick to my mechanics," Tenuta said. "Threw some really good sliders in big situations. I was happy with how it went."
Luis Rico relieved Tenuta to start the seventh inning. Rico allowed a solo home run to Jay Baum to open the eighth inning as the Travelers (12-19) cut the Naturals' lead to 3-1. Rico then allowed back-to-back base hits by Brock Hebert and Chuck Taylor and he was relieved in the eighth by Tim Hill, who inherited runners at first and second with nobody out and the go-ahead run at the plate.
Hill struck out Ian Miller and then coaxed a 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Ryan Casteel to end the threat. Hill then pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his first save.
"Our bullpen's been really good," Wilson said. "Our pitching's been really good, obviously after the first 12 games. We're really settling into roles. When you've got a guy like Tim who can come in from that angle and throw strikes and keep the ball on the ground, we're lucky to have him."
SHORT HOPS:
• The Naturals have won their last six home games and 11 of their last 12 at Arvest Ballpark.
• Naturals shortstop Jack Lopez saw his nine-game hitting streak come to an end.
• Schwindel hit his sixth home run, a rocket near the Bud Light Cafe in left field. He also hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth to score Alfedo Escobar who doubled to open the inning.
• Evans hit his home run leading off the seventh inning.
On Deck: The Naturals are off today before starting a four-game homestand against the Tulsa Drillers at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday at Arvest Ballpark. Naturals right-hander Zach Lovvorn (2-2, 2.78 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for the Naturals while the Drillers have not announced a starting pitcher. The Naturals are 6-1 on the season against Tulsa. Wilson said the off day is coming at a great time.
"In the last three years, I can't remember any home off days inbetween two home series," Wilson said. "It's actually really nice. It's coming at a great time for us. Usually our off days are spent traveling down south, so it's nice to have it.
"I don't care if I see any of them until they've got to be here Thursday. They've earned it the way they're playing. They'll do some things -- fishing, golf. More than anything, it gives you a chance to get caught up in your life, so it comes at a good time."
Thursday's Promotion: It's Buck Night and Thirsty Thursday along with Night of 500 Giveaways. Buck Knight features $1 Farm Rich Mozzarella Sticks and small Coca-Cola fountain drinks along with $2 bags of peanuts at the concession stands and 16 oz. Pabst Blue Ribbon drafts at specific locations on the concourse. The Night of 500 Giveaways is a prelude to the Naturals' Night of 1,000 Giveaways on Aug. 26. Fans that arrive early will have the opportunity to select one giveaway item. Items may include but are not limited to T-shirts, caps, baseballs, and other popular giveaways from the past few seasons.
On The Air: 92.1 FM, The Ticket
On The Web: www.nwanaturals.com
Sports on 05/10/2017