Travs Bow to Naturals in 12 Innings

North Little Rock, AR-Only the second extra inning game of the season at Dickey-Stephens Park lasted 12 innings as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals scored four times in the top of the 12^th to defeat the Arkansas Travelers 8-4. Both teams put up a run in the 10^th and 11^th innings before the Naturals plated four runs on three hits, a wild pitch, and an error in the decisive inning. Northwest Arkansas had two runs on the board just three hitters into the game before Trav pitchers locked down. Erasmo Ramírez on a Major League Rehab Assignment threw 66 pitches over four innings and retired nine of the final 10 hitters he faced. Anthony McIver and David McKay picked up where Ramirez left off those three Trav pitchers combined to retire 19 Naturals in succession at one point. The offense was able to claw back several times in the game but finished just 3-17 with runners in scoring position.
Moments That Mattered
* Donnie Walton poked a two out single to left field to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh inning.
* Down a run in the 11^th, Dario Pizzano drove a double over the head of the left fielder to tie the score. But after moving to third on a deep flyout, he was stranded there.
* Kort Peterson gave the Naturals the lead in the top of the 12^th on a triple to right-center before coming home to score on a wild pitch before the Naturals tacked on two more.
Notable Travs Performances
* 1B Joey Curletta: 2-4, BB, 2B
* 2B Donnie Walton: 1-5, 2 RBI
* Erasmo Ramirez: 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, ER, 6 K
* Anthony McIver: 3 IP, 3 K
* David McKay: 2 IP, BB, 4 K
Up Next
The series concludes on Wednesday night as the Travs try to avoid a sweep in a 7:10 first pitch. RH Nathan Bannister (6-8, 6.14) gets the start against RH Jace Vines (1-1, 7.07). It is $1 hot dog night at the ballpark and the game will also be broadcast on the Sports Animal 920, the First Pitch App, TuneIn radio and milb.tv.