Schwindel’s homer helps Naturals down Cards

NATURALS 4, CARDINALS 1

SPRINGDALE — Frank Schwindel took his frustrations out on the ball with a two-run homer during Northwest Arkansas’ 4-1 win over the Springfield at Arvest Ballpark on Tuesday.

Schwindel believed he beat the throw on an infield single in the fourth inning, but was ruled out. Cards third baseman Jacob Wilson bare-handed the slow-roller and fired to first for a bangbang play. Schwindel tossed his helmet toward the dugout before arguing — to no avail — with first base umpire Nate Tomlinson.

The next time up, Schwindel smashed the first pitch over the leftfield wall. Schwindel correctly predicted a changeup was coming by “trying to pick up the pattern” of Cardinals’ starting pitcher Austin Gomber, a 6-foot-5 left-hander who shutout the Naturals through the first six innings. Two batters later, Humberto Arteaga followed a solo homer to cap off the three-run inning.

Schwindel said he “tried to flush that call,” by Tomlinson, the crew chief of Tuesday’s umpiring crew. Had he been called safe, Schwindel would have been a triple away from hitting for the cycle with a single, double and his second homer of the season.

“I usually like (Tomlinson). We get along pretty good,” Schwindel said.”So, just trying to forget that call, but I was a little fired up after that one.”

Northwest Arkansas (9-9 overall) bounced back after losing to the Cardinals (10-8) on Monday, which snapped a four-game winning streak. Naturals’ pitchers worked out of several jams with strikeouts and

a defense, which resulted in Springfield stranding 12 runners on base.

Three runners, including the tying run, were left on when the game ended. Reid Redman escaped a one-out, bases-loaded situation with back-to-back strikeouts on 98-mph fastballs to pick up his first save. He threw just 12 pitches, including 11 fastballs. Redman’s lone off-speed offering resulted in a single that loaded the bases.

“We’ve had some unbelievable battles with the Cardinals,” said Naturals manager Vance Wilson. “It seems like that’s how it always goes and it’s a lot of fun playing them for that reason.

“I would like it not to come down to that, but when you have guys like (Redman), it at least makes you breath a little easier.”

Right-hander Miguel Almonte, the No. 4 prospect in the Kansas City Royals organization, turned in his third quality start for the Naturals but did not get a decision. His first six pitches, and 10 of his first 12, were for strikes, but it was his wildest of three starts with a season-high three walks. His fastball was in the 95-96 mph range and he tied a season-high with seven strikeouts while allowing three hits.

SHORT HOPS

■ Attempting to steal a base against Naturals catcher Zane Evans? There’s a 50-50 chance of making it this season. In the fourth inning, Evans nailed his fourth runner out of eight stolen base attempts. Last season, he was 17 of 59 and is 70 of 257 during his five-year minor league career.

■ Almonte exited the game after reaching his pitch count (87) with a double play in the fifth inning, which helped his ERA dip to 0.98 this season. He’s allowed less than a run per game with two earned runs in 18 1/3 innings.

On Deck: Northwest Arkansas continues its four-game series against Springfield. The Naturals send right-hander Christian Binford (1-0, 2.50 ERA) to the mound against righthander Dakota Hudson (1-1 4.60 ERA) today at 11:05 a.m.

Today’s Promotion: It’s “School Kids Day Game” with multiple school groups from the region expected to attend thanks to a special ticket discount.

On The Air: KYNG AM-1590

On The Web: www.nwanaturals. com