Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Solo homer leads off seven-run inning in Naturals’ win over Drillers
SPRINGDALE — Alex Liddi disputed a called strike by exchanging words with home plate umpire Jeff Gorman.
Liddi then unleashed his frustrations on the following pitch to launch a 2-1 fastball over the center field wall to lead off the fourth inning. It ignited an eight-hit, seven-run inning and erased an early deficit during Northwest Arkansas’ 9- 5 win against Tulsa at Arvest Ballpark on Wednesday.
It was Liddi’s fourth homer in three games and fifth in his past seven games.
Tulsa starter Isaac Anderson cruised up to that point. The right-hander and former 40th rounder out of Wichita State in 2015 allowed one hit before Liddi’s solo shot. Kelvin Guttierez, Nick Dini and Khalil Lee each hit soft grounders for RBI singles to even the score at 4-all and end Anderson’s outing.
Jecksson Flores put the Naturals ahead with an RBI double to left field off reliever Michael Boyle. That was followed by a two-run double down the left field line by Elier Hernandez to cap the big inning.
Tulsa jumped on NWA starter Arnaldo Hernandez for four runs in the first inning. It was highlighted by two- run doubles by Will Smith and Jacob Scavuzzo. Hernandez settled in to pitch four scoreless innings to pick up the win.
SHORT HOPS
■ Tulsa’s roster is loaded with several of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ top prospects, including outfielder Yusniel Diaz and catcher Keibert Ruiz. Both were among 50 players selected last week to play in this year’s All-Star Futures Game, which is scheduled for Sunday at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
■ Gutierrez snapped a slump by slapping an RBI single up the middle in the fourth. He was 0 for his previous 12 atbats and 1 for 16 during the Naturals’ six-game road trip. He then doubled off the right field wall in seventh.
■ Wednesday’s game began a stretch of 27 games over a 26-day span for the Naturals. During the stretch, 16 of those games are scheduled for Arvest Ballpark.
On Deck: The Naturals continue their four- game home series against Tulsa at 7:05 p.m. Northwest Arkansas will send left-hander Emilio Ogando (5-5, 6.23) to the mound while Tulsa had not announced a starter as of press time.
Today’s Promotion: It’s Thirsty Thursday with food and beverage specials as well as the first of three “Unused Ticket Nights,” which offers fans the opportunity to exchange any unused ticket from the 2018 season for a ticket of equal value to today’s game. The box office opens today at noon.
On The Air: KQSM-FM 92.1
On The Web: www.nwa naturals.com
ARKANSAS 3, SPRINGFIELD 2
NORTH LITTLE ROCK — Nathan Bannister allowed just two hits over six innings, leading the Arkansas Travelers over the Springfield Cardinals.
Bannister (6-5) allowed one run while striking out two and walking three to get the win.
Arkansas got on the board first in the third inning when Braden Bishop hit a two-run home run.
After the teams traded runs, the Cardinals cut into the deficit in the ninth inning when Lane Thomas hit a solo home run.
Anthony Shew ( 4- 5) went seven innings, allowing three runs and five hits while striking out six in the Texas League game. Matt Festa recorded his 12th save of the season.
Arkansas improved to 14-7 against Springfield this season.
FRISCO 4, SAN ANTONIO 3
FRISCO, Texas — Preston Beck homered and had two hits, and Ariel Jurado allowed just seven hits over 71/ innings 3 as the Frisco RoughRiders topped the San Antonio Missions.
Jurado (4-3) picked up the win after he struck out two while allowing two runs.
Frisco started the scoring in the second inning when Juremi Profar hit an RBI double and then scored on a single by Carlos Garay.
CORPUS CHRISTI 11, MIDLAND 6
MIDLAND, Texas — Carmen Benedetti hit a two-run triple in the second inning, leading the Corpus Christi Hooks to a win over the Midland RockHounds.
The triple by Benedetti, part of a three- run inning, gave the Hooks a 2- 0 lead before Anibal Sierra hit an RBI single later in the inning.
Midland answered in the bottom of the frame when Richie Martin scored on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to two.
The Hooks later added runs in four additional innings to secure the victory.
Ryne Birk doubled and singled, scoring two runs for Corpus Christi.