SPRINGDALE — At this point, any victory, any way is a good start for Northwest Arkansas.
The Naturals avoided a sweep with a 5-4 victory against Arkansas in front of 4,949 fans Thursday at Arvest Ballpark. Northwest Arkansas broke a seven game losing streak with only its second victory in the past 17 games, which included the previous three games against the Travelers.
“Just get the first one and build off it,” Naturals Manager Brian Poldberg said. “Just finish this one and get the guys some confidence.”
Northwest Arkansas didn’t play great as it committed three errors, but the Naturals played well when they had to.The Travelers threatened late, with the tying run on third with one out in the seventh, but two Naturals relievers shut down Arkansas for the last eight outs.
Former major-league closer Juan Gutierrez, making his Naturals debut, pitched a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts to earn his first save. Gutierrez saved 24 games for Arizona in 2009-10 before having ligament replacement surgery in September and signing a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals.
“He was throwing strikes and was aggressive,” Poldberg said. “I wasn’t sure how he was going to respond.”
The relief work of Ryan Dennick was just as valuable for the Naturals. Dennick entered the game in the seventh with two runs already in and the tying run on third, but he retired Jean Segura and Roberto Lopez on fly balls to end the rally.
The pitching allowed the Naturals’ big hits to hold up. Northwest Arkansas scored all five runs on home runs, a two-run shot by Johnny Whittleman in the first and a three-run home run by Brian Fletcher in the fifth.
Both home runs came off Travelers starter Ariel Pena (5-6), who gave up 5 runs on 5 hits and 4 walks in 5 2/3 innings.
“The basic key to the game right there,” said Travelers Manager Mike Micucci, referring to the home runs. “We were living on the edge the last couple of nights. They did a good job not missing pitches.”
The Travelers scored in the top of the first against Naturals starter Mike Montgomery (1-1). With two outs, Montgomery walked Lopez and Ryan Mount followedwith an RBI double to left center.
The Naturals answered in the bottom of the inning against Pena. Rey Navarro drew a one-out walk, stole second and scored on Whittleman’s long home run to right.
The Travelers tied the game in the third when Renny Osuna reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second on Navarro’s throwing error. Lopez singled to drive in Osuna to tie the game at 2-2.
Northwest Arkansas went ahead 5-2 on Fletcher’s home run to left in the fifth. It was Fletcher’s sixth home run with Northwest Arkansas and his fourth in the past four games.
The Travelers threatened in the seventh against Montgomery, who had retired 10 consecutive batters from the third inning on. Brian Hernandez led off with an infield single, Angel Castillo walked and both runners advanced on a wild pitch.
Alberto Rosario singled to drive in Hernandez, and Darwin Perez’s sacrifice fly scored Castillo to cut the
At a glance TULSA AT ARKANSAS
WHEN 7:10 p.m. Central today WHERE Dickey-Stephens Park, North Little Rock RADIO KARN-AM, 920, in central Arkansas WEBSITE travs.com
PITCHERS Travelers: RHP Johnny Hellweg (4-9, 3.31 ERA); Drillers: RHP Brandon Hynick (2-0, 1.69) PROMOTIONS The first 1,500 children receive a Shelly toothbrush holder. Children can also run the bases after the game.
THE WEEK AHEAD
TODAY vs. Tulsa, 7:10 p.m.
SATURDAY vs. Tulsa, 7:10 p.m.
SUNDAY vs. Tulsa, 6 p.m.
MONDAY vs. Tulsa, 7:10 p.m.
TUESDAY at Springfield, 7:08 p.m.
WEDNESDAY at Springfield, 7:08 p.m.
THURSDAY at Springfield, 7:08 p.m.
Sports, Pages 21 on 07/20/2012