TEXAS LEAGUE

Naturals use big second, Ogando to get past Travs

Sudden bursts of runs by the Northwest Arkansas Naturals led to victories in their last three outings against the Arkansas Travelers, including a four-run spree in the second inning Wednesday night, all they needed in a 4-1 victory before a crowd of 2,467 at Dickey-Stephens Park.

Pitching helped a bit, too.

"We executed what we needed to," Naturals Manager Vance Wilson said. "We were good on the bases, had a couple of clutch hits, and we got solid pitching."

Naturals left-hander Emilio Ogando -- in his third start -- held the Travelers to 1 run on 6 hits and 1 walk over 6 innings improved to 2-1 with an earned run average of 2.30 in 15 2/3 innings.

"His first [outing] was good," Wilson said. "His second he scuffled. Tonight he got back to being aggressive, and I thought our catcher did a great job with him. He really helped him get through the game. He didn't let him make too many mistakes"

Naturals catcher Allan de San Miguel also contributed two hits with a run and an RBI.

"I'm just trying to get into a groove up here," said Ogando, who was called up from Class A Wilmington late last month. "Having the defense behind me and the offense to back me up helps out."

Northwest Arkansas scored four of its runs in the first inning in a 6-2 victory Monday. On Tuesday, all of its runs came in two consecutive innings in a 7-6 victory over the Travelers.

"We're having trouble getting things stopped," Travelers Manager Daren Brown said. "They had that big inning tonight, and it was too much to overcome."

The Naturals struck first with their four second-inning runs, the final two coming on center fielder Donnie Dewee's double off Arkansas right-handed starter Dylan Unsworth.

"That definitely calmed me down," Ogando said. "It always does when you have that kind of offense."

Ogando held Arkansas scoreless until the fifth inning when center fielder Ian Miller's one-out bases-loaded single knocked in catcher Marcus Littlewood. Shortstop Humberto Arteaga's diving stop on the play led to a force out at third that cut down Joey Wong.

Arkansas left six runners on base, including four in scoring position. Two of those came with no outs in the eighth inning after third baseman Nelson Ward walked, advanced to third on Miller's single, and Miller stole second.

Arkansas batters were 1 for 8 eight with runners in scoring position.

"We put ourselves in some good positions," Brown said. "We didn't get the hits we needed."

Today’s game

TRAVELERS VS. NATURALS

WHEN 7:10 p.m. WHERE Dickey-Stephens Park, North Little Rock RADIO KARN-AM, 920, in central Arkansas; KQSM-FM, 92.1, in Northwest Arkansas WEBSITES travs.com, nwanaturals.com PITCHERS Travelers: RHP Tyler Herb (1-2, 4.39 ERA); Naturals RHP Corey Ray (3-2, 3.41 ERA) TICKETS $13 box, $9 reserved ($6 kids), $7 general admission ($5 kids). Gates open one hour before start of game. PROMOTIONS Free drink koozie to the first 300 fans. Go Western Theme Night with country music, cowboy hats and free mechanical bull rides.

THE WEEK AHEAD

TODAY NW Arkansas, 7:10 p.m. FRIDAY at Tulsa, 7:05 p.m. SATURDAY at Tulsa, 7:05 p.m. SUNDAY at Tulsa, 1:05 p.m. MONDAY at Tulsa, 11:05 a.m. TUESDAY Midland, 7:10 p.m. WEDNESDAY Midland, 7:10 p.m.

Sports on 05/18/2017

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