NATURALS FALL, 3-1 TO THE CARDINALS

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Springfield took the second game of the four-game set by a final of 3-1 on Tuesday night at Hammons Field.
Northwest Arkansas (6-11) struck first with a two-out, run-scoring triple by Anderson Miller  which plated Jecksson Flores  from second base to vault the Naturals in front, 1-0 in the second frame.
Right-hander, Zach Lovvorn (0-1, 4.73) worked 5.2 innings of three-run baseball, scattered three hits and struck out a season-high five. The 23-year old started strong and retired the first eight hitters and shutdown the nine of the initial 10 faced to opening his outing.

Springfield (9-8) tied the game on an unearned run in the fourth inning and took the lead with two tallies in the sixth en route to the 3-1 decision.
Right-hander, Yunior Marte  continued his scoreless inning streak with 1.1 innings of shutout relief with a pair of strikeouts on the night. Marte has not allowed a run in 9.0 total frames, the longest stretch by any Naturals' pitcher this season. Right-hander, Corey Ray  worked a scoreless eighth inning and punched out one hitter in his first appearance for the Naturals since April 16.
Northwest Arkansas out-hit the Cardinals tonight, 5-4 with Elier Hernandez  doubling in the ninth frame - his third double in the last four games. Samir Dueñez  extended his road hitting streak to nine games with a single in the sixth inning.
Right-hander, Scott Blewett (0-2, 6.92) will take the hill in the morning game on Wednesday, April 25^th for his third start of the year opposite of Springfield right-hander, Connor Greene (2-1, 2.63).
Join the Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly, with a 10:50 a.m. pregame show leading up to first pitch on 92.1-FM the Ticket and the Naturals Radio Network.
Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Facebook and Twitter @NWANaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime and #CrowntoCrown for all of our up-to-date information on the 2018 season of Naturals baseball.
 
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark. For more information, including statistics, ticket options, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.
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