SPRINGDALE -- Northwest Arkansas continued its torrid hitting, banging out seven extra-base hits, en route to a 9-7 win over Arkansas on Thursday night in front of 4,112 at Arvest Ballpark.
The Naturals (18-21) have won nine of their last 12 games and their third straight series. They got started quickly with a four-run first inning, but had to hold off a late Travelers surge for the win.
First baseman John Brontsema went 4-for-4 with a double and a home run to lead the Naturals hit parade. He was one of four Naturals to drive in two runs and also scored twice. The 26th round pick out of California-Irvine was playing in just his 11th game, but continued the team's recent red-hot offensive trend.
Donnie Dewees Jr. chipped in with three hits, while Miller and Jecksson Flores added two hits each. Arkansas lead-off man Braden Bishop went 5-for-5 with a solo home run and scored four runs.
Northwest Arkansas took a 4-1 lead in the first inning thanks to a two-run double by Elier Hernandez and a two-run home run by Anderson Miller against Travelers starter Johendi Jiminian (2-3). Jiminian had beaten the Naturals 11 days earlier in North Little Rock as he allowed only one earned run in 5.1 innings.
The Naturals didn't let up, scoring a run in the second, three more in the third and another in the fifth to push the lead to 9-3. But Arkansas (19-20) clawed back to within 9-7 and had the tying runs on in the ninth. However, Luis Vasquez to the final out for his second save.
Vasquez has not allowed an earned run in his first six appearance for the Naturals spanning 6.2 innings.
Short Hops
• Naturals starter Scott Blewett (2-3) picked up the win, despite a wobbly beginning. The 6-foot-6 right-hander threw only 14 strikes in 35 pitches over the first two innings, but managed to throw six-plus innings. Northwest Arkansas also helped him defensively by turning a pair of double plays in those first two innings.
• Arkansas scored three runs in the top of the seventh to pull within 9-6, but Naturals reliever Walker Sheller picked Joey Curletta off first to end the inning.
• Northwest Arkansas hit a robust .367 (29 of 79) with runners in scoring position in the eight-game homestand. That included five-of-11 on Thursday.
On Deck: The Naturals begin a four-game series at Springdale. LHP Emilio Ogando (2-2 6.26 ERA) will start for Northwest Arkansas, while the Cardinals will counter with RHP Jake Woodford (2-4 4.81 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.
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Sports on 05/18/2018