Naturals win sets winner-take-all match today

SPRINGDALE -- Northwest Arkansas finished the second half of the season much better than it started it.

After a horrid April that saw the Naturals go 7-16, they picked up their 28th win since May 1 with an 11-10 victory over the Arkansas Travelers at Arvest Ballpark on Monday.

The victory came on the last day of the first half of the schedule and moves the Naturals into a first-place tie with Arkansas for first place in the Texas League Northern Division. The winner of tonight's contest be the champion of the first half of the Texas League season and will earn a spot in the division series in September.

The Naturals (35-35) overcame a 6-0 deficit after three-and-a-half innings, and held on after Joe DeCarlo's three-run homer in the top of the ninth brought the Travelers within a run.

Northwest Arkansas started its comeback in its half of the fourth inning, as Jecksson Flores and Alex Liddi each hit two-run home runs to cut into the Travelers' lead.

Then, after a Donnie Dewees home run in the fifth cut the deficit one, the Naturals used four hits and two walks to score five runs in the sixth. Erick Mejia delivered the big blow, with a bases-loaded triple.

Scott Blewett struggled through four innings for the Naturals. He allowed five runs on six hits, while striking out four. Pedro Fernandez pitched two innings of relief to earn the victory. He allowed only one hit and didn't surrender a run.

Spencer Herrmann took the loss for Arkansas, allowing three runs on two hits in his only inning of work.

Short Hops:

• Flores entered the contest No. 6 in Texas League batting average. He finished 1-for-4 with a homer.

• Since May 1, the Naturals have earned the second-best record in the Texas League. Their 28-19 mark in that time is second to only San Antonio (28-18)

On Deck: The Naturals will host Arkansas at 7:05 p.m. today in the third game of a four-game series. Naturals' Emilio Ogando (4-4, 5.40 ERA) will square off against Arkansas' Johendi Jiminian (3-3, 3.59 ERA).

Today's Promotion: Arvest Two-for-Tuesday with Johnsonville Buck-A-Brat. Fans can enjoy $1 brats at select grill carts on the concourse.

On The Air: KQSM-FM 92.1

On The Web: www.nwanaturals.com

Sports on 06/19/2018

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