Tenuta finds form to sweep Travs

SPRINGDALE -- The start of Matt Tenuta's Class AA career hasn't been what he's wanted, but the Northwest Arkansas Naturals left-hander was in fine form Tuesday afternoon.

Tenuta pitched six shutout innings, and Frank Schwindel and Zane Evans hit solo home runs as the Naturals (18-12) completed the four-game sweep of the Arkansas Travelers with a 3-1 victory before a season-high 8,614 fans on Kids Day at Arvest Ballpark.

Tenuta, who came into the game with a 1-1 record and a 10.19 ERA in 17⅔ innings, gave up 4 hits and didn't walk a batter while striking out 4.

"Obviously, it's really easy to let down and get content when you've won the first three," Naturals Manager Vance Wilson said. "To come out and do what he did today was very special."

Tenuta (2-1) said he's been working with Wilson and pitching coach Steve Luebber the past 10 days to try and correct some mechanical issues.

Tenuta said he thought he threw the ball well in his last start Thursday in Springfield, when he pitched solid until the fourth inning. He allowed four earned runs in that inning and did not see the fifth.

"Today [against Arkansas] I just tried to stick to my mechanics," Tenuta said. "Threw some really good sliders in big situations. I was happy with how it went."

Luis Rico relieved Tenuta to start the seventh inning. Rico allowed a solo home run to Jay Baum to open the eighth inning as the Travelers (12-19) cut the Naturals' lead to 3-1. Rico then allowed back-to-back base hits by Brock Hebert and Chuck Taylor and was relieved in the eighth by Tim Hill, who inherited runners at first and second with nobody out and the go-ahead run at the plate.

Hill struck out Ian Miller and coaxed a 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Ryan Casteel to end the threat. Hill then pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his first save.

"Our bullpen's been really good," Wilson said. "Our pitching's been really good, obviously after the first 12 games. We're really settling into roles. When you've got a guy like Tim who can come in from that angle and throw strikes and keep the ball on the ground, we're lucky to have him."

Schwindel put the Naturals ahead with his home run in the second inning off of Travs starter Lindsey Caughel, and he added to the lead with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning.

Evans hit his home run in the seventh inning off of reliever Paul Paez.

Caughel (2-3) gave up 2 earned runs on 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 3 in 6 innings. Right fielder Kyle Waldrop was the only Traveler with two hits.

Sports on 05/10/2017