Arteaga, Ogando shine in Naturals’ victory

SPRINGDALE — Humberto Arteaga’s bat struck before the lightning had a chance to make an appearance Saturday night at Arvest Ballpark.

Northwest Arkansas’ shortstop enjoyed a threehit game and drove in a couple of runs as the Naturals claimed a 3-2 victory over Midland and clinched a series win over the defending Texas League champions. It’s the first series win for Northwest Arkansas (24-23) over a South Division team this season.

“For whatever reason, the North doesn’t play well against the South, especially Frisco,” Naturals manager Vance Wilson said. “They came in and swept us, and I thought we beat ourselves. To rebound like we did last night, then to come in and win a close one is big.”

Arteaga put Northwest Arkansas on the board first as his third-inning single drove in Samir Duenez, who drew a one-out walk. Arteaga did it again in the fifth when he hit a double into left-center and drove Duenez, who led off the inning wth a double to right.

Arteaga almost was thrown out at second, but a move with his hands as he slid into the base helped him avoid the tag. He then scored on a two-out single by Ruben Sosa Jr. as he slid into home just before the tag.

“It’s part of it,” Wilson said of Arteaga’s base running. “We get down the line well. There were a couple of things as far as him sliding

into second. We just play aggressive and I’m proud of the way we win.”

Naturals starter Emilio Ogando (3-2) made the lead stand as the left-hander enjoyed his longest outing of the season. He gave up just a sacrifice fly to B.J. Boyd in the fourth and allowed just four hits over seven innings.

Reid Redman allowed the RockHounds’ other run in the eighth but got out of the inning when he threw out Body on a check-swing dribbler toward third, and Sam Selman struck out the side in the ninth to notch his third save just before the storms reached the area.

“It always runs through your starting pitching,” Wilson said. “If we can start getting some six- and seven-inning

outings, that way we can shorten the bullpen a little bit, which we were able to do. Ogando was the player of the game.”

SHORT HOPS

■ Ogando threw 84 pitches during his seven-inning performance, besting the six-inning outing he’s had twice with the Naturals. He also picked off J.P. Sportman, who tried to steal in the fifth.

■ With his three hits Saturday, Arteaga is now hitting .366 (30-of-82) in 23 home games this season and has hit safely in 15 of his last 17 at Arvest Ballpark.

■ Midland reliever Ryan Finnegan hit 100 and 101 mph on the scoreboard radar gun during his performance. The right-hander threw 2.1 innings and allowed two hits, but one of them was Rosa’s RBI single in the fifth.

On Deck: Northwest Arkansas and Midland conclude their three-game series with a 6:35 p.m. contest today at Arvest Ballpark. The Naturals have yet to announce a starting pitcher for the game, while the RockHounds will send right-hander Ben Bracewell (1-1, 4.88 ERA).

Today’s Promotion: It’s a “Kids Eat Free Family Sunday,” with all children 12 and under receiving a voucher for a hot dog, soda and bag of chips at the gate, and kids can also run the bases after the game. Arvest Ballpark will also offer its third straight night of fireworks as part of Memorial Day weekend.

On The Air: KQSM-FM 92.1

On The Web: www.nwa naturals.com

TRAVELERS 5, ROUGHRIDERS 4

Tyler Marlette homered twice, and Justin DeFratus allowed just five hits over 61/3 innings as the Arkansas Travelers beat the Frisco RoughRiders 5-4 on Saturday.

DeFratus struck out three and walked one while allowing four runs.

Trailing 4-1 in the seventh, Frisco tied it up when Scott Heineman hit a two-run triple and then scored on a single by Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

Arkansas answered in the bottom of the frame when Chuck Taylor hit an RBI single, scoring Jeff Kobernus.

Tyler Knigge (1-1) got the win with 11/3 innings of scoreless, two-hit relief while Frisco starter Yohander Mendez (2-3) took the loss in the Texas League game. Peter Tago pitched 11/3 scoreless innings for his third save of the season.