Weekly Record: 3-2
Overall Record: 31-36
Standings: 3rd, eliminated from the first half playoffs

The Naturals made one of the southern road trip this week going to Amarillo and Frisco.  Monday was a travel day and Sunday got rained out so they only played five games this week in which they won three.  They took the series at Amarillo and split the series in Frisco.  This team is making progress.  Now they just have to take that momentum as they head into the second half.  I’m not sure how the Texas League is going to make up their rain out in the south and how that will fit into the standings for the first half or second half.  It looks like they’ll just add a game to the three game series just before the All Star Break against Frisco in Springdale.

If you didn’t know, the Texas League All Star game will be in Tulsa this year on June 25.  I have gone to two TL ASGs in Tulsa over the years and they always do a good job.  I won’t get to go this year as I’m coaching in Ohio this summer but there is a 90% chance of rain tomorrow at game time so if we cancel early, I might get to drive a few hours over to the SALTY ASG in West Virginia.  I’m prepared but not optimistic.

Eric Skoglund pitched for the Naturals on Monday in a rehab start.  He will make another on Monday, 6/17 if you get the chance to watch.  Conner Greene piggy-backed with Skoglund finishing the last 3.1 innings of the game.  Skoglund went 5.2 innings allowing just 1 earned run on 6 hits, 1 BB, and 3 strikeouts.  I was planning to do a film study on that start but didn’t get a chance.  Hopefully I can do one for his start today.

Travis Jones went 3-4 with a double, RBI, and run scored.  He also walked.  Khalil Lee continued his hot streak hitting hitting a home run and drawing a walk in 4 ABs.  Taylor Featherston added 2 hits and a double with 2 runs while Kort Peterson added 2 hits and 2 runs of his own.  Angello Castellano continued his hot start at NWA by adding another hit and walk.

A 4-run inning beat the Naturals on Wednesday 4-1.  JC Cloney only gave up 1 earned run but allowed 4 total.  He took the hard luck loss allowing 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 3 in 4.2 innings of work.  Drew Storen threw 2.0 innings in relief giving up 2 hits and striking out 3.

Jones and Anderson Miller both had 2 hits and were caught stealing.  Jones did manage to steal a base as well.  Lee singled in the only Naturals run in the top of the 8th inning.

The getaway day was filled with offense as the Naturals put up 10 runs.  Feathston, Meibrys Viloria, and Castellano all homered.  Lee, Feathston, Miller, and Emmanuel Rivera all had two hit games.  Nick Heath singled and walked and stole his 38th base while Lee stole his 27th.

Brady Singer started and got roughed up giving up 4 earned runs in 3.0 innings.  Andres Sotillet came in throwing 3.1 innings of shutout relief.  Sotillet only gave up one baserunner on a walk while striking out 2.  Yunior Marte continued his strong season lowering his ERA to 1.91 in 1.2 innings.  Emilio Ogando earned a save on 0.1 innings of work.

The Naturals lost their first game at Frisco when Gerson Garabito worked 7.0 innings giving up 5 runs on 10 hits, 2 walks, and 5 strike outs.  He did suffer from the home run ball giving up 3 of those.  Andrew Beckwith threw 1.0 scoreless innings in relief.

The Naturals managed only 3 hits in this game with the big one a solo home run for Miller.  It was only Miller’s second home run on the year but he was batting .304 after this game.  Heath walked three times.

The Naturals got some offense going on Saturday scoring 9 runs.  Featherston, Lee, Rivera, and Peterson all doubled.  Gabriel Cancel, Viloria, Peterson, and Lee all had multi hit games.  Viloria, Lee, and Jones all stole a base.  That is Viloria’s second steal this season if you were wondering.

Ofreidy Gomez got credit for the win as he battled his control a little.  Gomez went 5.1 innings allowing 3 runs, 1 earned on 4 hits, 5 walks, and 4 strikeouts.  Marte threw 2.0 scoreless lowering his ERA to 1.78.  He really could move up with no problem.  He is a mid-90s guy with some good breaking stuff.  I think he moves after the all star break.

The Naturals gear up for a seven game home stand before taking a few days off for the All Star Game just down the road in Tulsa.