Naturals Hang on, Snap Skid

SPRINGDALE, Ark. — The Northwest Arkansas Naturals snapped a seven game losing streak and won just their third game of July, 5-4 over Arkansas Thursday night at Arvest Ballpark.

After the Travelers got on the board in the first, John Whittleman put the home team on top with a two-run home run, his fifteenth of the year to make it 2-1.

Arkansas tied it at two in the third with a base hit, but the big blow for the Naturals came in the fifth. After a walk and a double put two on, Brian Fletcher went deep to left to make it a 5-2 ballgame. The home run was Fletcher’s sixth of the year and fourth of the home stand.

The Travelers added two in the seventh to make it interesting, but the Naturals bullpen held the lead and the win.

Mike Montgomery got the win for Northwest Arkansas, going 6.1 innings, scattering five hits and three earned runs while striking out one.

The Naturals next hit the road for four against the Cardinals in Springfield. The first game of the series begins Friday night at 7:08 p.m.