MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com-SPRINGDALE, AR–Matt Kniginyzky finally earned his first win at Arvest Ballpark as the Naturals beat the Corpus Christi Hooks 7-5 in a Tuesday afternoon matinee.

The Canadian right-hander worked his way out of jams in both the first two innings but held Corpus Christi to just one run.Collin DeLome doubled to lead off the game and was driven in on a two-out single by Jimmy Van Ostrand.Kniginyzky issued his first walk of the game to Hooks' first baseman Mark Ori, who followed, but got Jhon Florentino to fly out to strand two runners.

The Naturals would double-up Corpus Christi's early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first.Jose Duarte led off with a walk and Yuniesky Betancourt singled.Duarte would then score when Alex Gordon's grounder to first went through the legs of Hooks' first baseman Mark Ori.The second run came in on a two-out sacrifice fly by Jeff Bianchi.

The Hooks loaded the bases and left all three runnersstranded in the second.Felix Molina doubled and Kniginyzky issued consecutive one-out walks to Brian Esposito and Collin DeLome, but Kniginyzky got Drew Meyer to fly to left and retired Drew Locke, who paces the Texas League in RBI, on a deep flyball to center.
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Corpus Christiwould tie the ballgame up in the third when Jhon Florentino hit his fourth homer of the year, a solo shot to left.

Northwest Arkansasbroke the game open in the fourth.Ed Lucas led off with a double to left field. Following a sacrifice bunt, Strait ripped a single to right, giving the Naturals a 3-2 advantage. One out later, Duarte launched an 0-1 offering from Hooks starter Andy Van Hekken (4-3) into the Budweiser Bullpen Café for a three-run advantage.

The Naturals (12-5, 48-39) added a pair of runs in the sixth thanks to a run-scoring triple by Strait and an RBI single off the bat of Cody Clark.

Van Hekken (4-3) was charged with five earned runs and eight hits over 5 1/3 innings. The lefty walked two and fanned three.

Kniginyzky (3-7) pitched six strong innings, working around six hits and two earned runs.He issued three walks and fanned three batters.Gilbert De La Vara had his second consecutive strong outing, pitching a scoreless seventh and eighth.

Corpus Christirallied for three runs in the ninth. Jhon Florentino hit a double to lead-off the frame. After a strikeout of Felix Molina and a walk by Mitch Einertson, Brian Esposito scratched out an RBI infield hit to the catcher Clark who air mailed the throw over first base. Florentino scored and Einertson advanced to third on the play.

With runners at second and third, an error by first baseman Corey Smith allowed Collin DeLome to reach and Einertson to score Corpus Christi's fourth run. Drew Meyer made it 7-5 with a line single to center in the next at-bat. Greg Holland battled back for the Naturals, coaxing a pop out and strikeout to end the game.

The Naturals have an off day Wednesday before heading to Springfield Thursday to begin a four-game set against the Cardinals at Hammons Field.Thursday, left-hander Rowdy Hardy makes his 2009 Northwest Arkansas debut against right-hander Scott Gorgen (0-1, 10.80).

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