Naturals stay hot with sweep

NW ARKANSAS 4-2, MIDLAND 3-0

SPRINGDALE — Chants of “Oh-Gan-Do! Oh- Gan- Do!” echoed throughout Northwest Arkansas’ clubhouse following Wednesday’s 2-0 victory against Midland at Arvest Ballpark.

Emilio Ogando, the Naturals’ left- handed starting pitcher, was superb in shutting out the Rockhounds by scattering two hits in six innings. It completed a doubleheader sweep for Northwest Arkansas after it won the opener 4-3.

Ogando struck out five, walked none and was efficient by throwing 55 strikes in 87 pitches. Northwest Arkansas manager Mike Rojas said Ogando “got his curveball going” while showing command of his fastball, changeup and slider.

Strong pitching has keyed the Naturals during their season-best six-game winning streak. They’ve won 12 of the past 14 games, including seven consecutive at home.

“Pitching has been tremendous,” Rojas said. “Tonight, they did another awesome job of keeping us in the game. Our offense did enough to win and our defense played well.”

As evident by the lively post-game locker room, the Naturals are enjoying the recent upswing after struggling through the first half of the season.

“That’s part of winning,” Rojas said. “You win ball games and you win as a team and you lose as a team. You go through your ups and downs and, in this moment right now, we’re going through a good streak by playing good baseball.

“And having fun is part of it.”

The Naturals’ offense wasted little time giving Ogando run support. Erick Mejia led off the game with an infield single and moved to second on a bunt single by Jeckkson Flores. Samir Duenez then sliced an RBI single to left field to give Northwest Arkansas a quick 1-0 lead.

They created the final margin with another run in the second when Flores, who has been a sparkplug all season and had a double in the opener, lined an RBI single to left to score Anderson Miller after Miller reached on a leadoff single.

GAME 1

Nick Dini’s two-run homer in the fourth inning gave the Naturals a lead they would never relinquish en route to a one-run win. Dini and Kelvin Gutierrez each were 2 for 3 to lead the offense with Gutierrez accounting for two runs.

Northwest Arkansas starting pitcher Jace Vines picked up the win by allowing two runs on four hits over five innings. Andres Machado came on in relief and recorded the final two outs, including a strikeout, to earn his sixth save.

SHORT HOPS

■ Northwest Arkansas recorded an improbable double play to end the top of the second inning. On a deep fly out to right field, Midland’s JP Sportman left first base, rounded second and was on his way to third as the ball was caught. However, after the catch, he failed to touch second base as he hustle back to first and was ruled out. It was the second time this season the Naturals were awarded an out for a similar base running miscue by an opponent.

■ Flores’ streak of scoring a run in 11 straight games came to an end in the first game of the double header.

■ The Naturals are in the midst of their longest homestand of the season with 10 games over an 11day span. Monday was the team’s first off day since July 10.

On Deck: The Naturals wrap up their threegame series against Midland at 7: 05 p. m. Northwest Arkansas sends right-hander Scott Blewitt (6-6, 5.59) to the mound while the Rockhounds counter with right-hander Logan Shore (1-5, 5.07).

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