SPRINGFIELD, MO– After recent double headers and several extra inning contests, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals were in need of a dominant pitching performance.  Dan Cortes and Victor Marte did just that as they limited the powerful Springfield Cardinals offense to single runs in the sixth and ninth inning.  The Naturals would prevail with a 3-2 victory at Hammons Field.
 
For the first six innings Tyler Herron (1-2) was dominant.  Herron and the Cardinals allowed just two Naturals to reach base during their first six innings of at bats.  Jeff Howell reached on a walk, while Kurt Mertins secured the Naturals first hit of the game, with a single off Herron’s foot.  Both Howell and Mertins would be wiped out on the base paths before having the chance to score.  Howell was caught stealing while Mertins was part of a double play.  Herron faced the minimum of 18 batters during the first six frames.
 
Dan Cortes was up to Herron’s challenge on Thursday night.  Cortes’ sixth start of the season was by far his best yet.  Cortes surrendered just one earned run over six innings of work.  His eight strikeouts were a new season and team high.  With the Cardinals threatening in the bottom of the sixth, Cortes heeded the advice from pitching coach Larry Carter and buckled down with the bases loaded.  Cortes would go on to strike out Antonio DeJesus and Pete Kozma and leave the bases full of Cardinals.  Earlier in the inning Cortes surrendered his only run off a Tony Cruz double that brought in Daniel Descalso to give the Cards a 1-0 lead.
 
With the Naturals trailing 1-0 second baseman Kurt Mertins stepped to the plate.  With two strikes, Mertins popped the Tyler Herron pitch over the fence and pulled the game into a 1-1 tie.  The home run was only Herron’s second allowed all season.  Mertins home run was his first as a member of the Naturals, he would finish the night with a team high two hits.
 
With the game tied at 1-1 in the top of the eighth Tyler Herron was still in the game.  Herron would be relived after Joe Dickerson knocked a single to center field with one out.  Herron finished the night with an impressive 7.1 innings pitched all while only allowing three hits and two earned runs.  Herron matched Cortes with eight strikeouts of his own.  The Naturals were able to rally once Pete Parise entered the game.  On Parise’s first pitch Jeff Howell brought in Dickerson with a double to center field.  With Howell already in scoring position, Josh Johnson extended his season high five game hitting streak and picked up a RBI with a single to left field.  The Naturals would lead 3-1 after eight innings thanks to production from the lower part of their order.
 
Victor Marte (1-1) was called upon to preserve Dan Cortes’ solid pitching performance.  Marte, who leads the Naturals with two saves, was spectacular out of the bullpen.  He racked up five strikeouts on the evening including striking out the side during the bottom of the eighth.  Trouble would brew in the ninth, but Marte was able to escape with just one run scoring and allowing the Naturals to win 3-2.  
 
The Naturals (12-14) were able to end a two game losing streak, while snapping the Cardinals (15-11) three game winning streak.
 
In the series finale the Naturals will send Blake Johnson to the mound.  Johnson, (1-2, 4.95) is returning for his first start after spending seven days on the disabled list with a blister on his throwing hand.  Ryan Kulik will take the hill for the Cardinals.  Kulik is 0-1 on the season with a 9.00 ERA.  First pitch is schedule for 7:10 pm.
 
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale.  The Naturals have a toll-free ticket hotline (1-877-444-2637) for fans to purchase Naturals tickets.  Our website, nwanaturals.com offers fans the opportunity to purchase tickets online and avoid lines at the ticket windows by printing their tickets at home or at the office.  

Are You an Insider Yet?
SZ Insider. A look ahead into the big player feature, the big story, tips, rumors, and special opportunities for collectibles and memorabilia only available for our insiders. Free monthly to your e-mailbox. Click the link to subscribe to this FREE newsletter!