NATURALS FALL TO CARDINALS 2-1 SATURDAY NIGHT

SPRINGDALE, AR – After a long string of high-scoring games, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals lost a close low-scoring affair Saturday night, a 2-1 loss to the Springfield Cardinals.

Starting pitcher T.J. Sikkema pitched 5.0 innings for the first time with Northwest Arkansas, as he surrendered just two runs on three hits and one walk with five strikeouts. The only runs of the game came on one mistake pitch, as he surrendered a go-ahead two-run homer in the third inning, the final runs of the game.

Zach Haake and Kasey Kalich combined for 4.0 scoreless innings behind Sikkema as Haake struck out four and Kalich didn’t allow a hit but the offense could not get back in the game.

The lone run of the night for the Naturals was the game’s first, as Luca Tresh sent his second Double-A home run to the opposite field, a solo shot that snuck over the right field fence for a 1-0 lead at the time.

Tresh finished the night 2-for-4, with a single in the seventh inning as well.

Tyler Gentry was the only other Naturals hitter that reached base twice, with a first inning single and walk in the eighth, increasing his on-base streak to 22 games.

Robbie Glendinning also increased his on-base streak, with a fourth-inning walk to push his stretch to 21 games.

Northwest Arkansas will attempt to split the series Sunday at 2:05 p.m. CT, as Jon Bowlan takes the mound at Arvest Ballpark.