That offense made a winner of Nate Adcock, who allowed two runs on four hits and a walk over six innings.

Alex McClure

NW Arkansas needed a two-out, RBI single from Alex McClure to walk off against Arkansas, 3-2. After Ryan Dennick blew Sugar Ray Marimon‘s first Double-A victory (6IP, 4H, R, OBB, 4K) in the top of the 9th inning, the Naturals came through in the bottom of the inning, With two outs and nobody on base, Carlo Testa was hit by a pitch. Despite the fact that Mario Lisson was the only Natural to not record a hit, he did walk to bring up McClure and his heroics.

Wilmington finally won a game in the second half, as they beat Potomac, 7-3. They scored three runs in the 8th inning and four runs in the 9th. Orlando Calixte hit his first homerun for the Blue Rocks, a three-run shot that broke the 3-3 tie.

Yordano Ventura was solid, as he allowed two runs on four hits over seven innings. He walked two while striking out seven. The P-Nats runs against Ventura came via a two-out, two-run homerun in the 2nd inning.

Kane County scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning, but could not hold on, as they lost to Beloit, 4-2. They unfortunately went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

The bullpen duo of Cody Fassold and Malcom Culver did not allow a hit over the final four innings. Only one man reached base (via a Fassold walk).

The Storm Chasers hit four homeruns, two by Max Ramirez. Salvador Perez again caught all nine innings and went 4-for-4. He also scored three runs. Johnny Giavotella went 2-for-5.

Brian Fletcher playing some LF with the Blue Rocks

NW Arkansas took yet another game from Tulsa, as they won 7-6. The Naturals scored four runs in the bottom of  the 7th inning and held on for the victory.

There were two KC Royals making rehab appearances with the Naturals. Felipe Paulino started and allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over just three innings. He allowed two homeruns and struck out just one. Paulino threw 54 pitches, 33 for strikes. Lorenzo Cain got the start in centerfield and batted leadoff, as he went 2-for-5 with two runs scored. He also played all nine innings.

The Naturals also welcomed two new members to the club: Brian Fletcher and Alex McClure. Both got into their first Double-A games on Wednesday. I could see the Fletcher move happening, since he was Wilmington’s best hitter, but McClure has been under .200 all season long. However injuries to middle infielders Christian Colon and Sharlon Schoop gave McClure the opportunity (both are now on the DL). Unfortunately, Fletcher started in left field (where he doesn’t play his best baseball) and was taken out late in the game for defense (he went 0-for-4 with a run scored). McClure went 1-for-4, but struck out twice.

Still no games yet for Bubba Starling with Burlington, who is 2-0 to start the season.