SPRINGDALE, AR – Brandon Johnson recorded a career-high six strikeouts in the Northwest Arkansas Naturals’ (14-22, 43-60) 5-1 loss to the Wichita Wind Surge (15-21, 40-63) on Thursday night at Arvest Ballpark. The Naturals continue their six-game set against the Wind Surge on Friday, with first pitch at 7:05 PM CT. Tomorrow’s game will be available locally on ABC 40/29 beginning at 7:00 PM CT.
Wichita got on the board in the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead. Naturals reliever Chase Jessee entered the game in the fourth and dealt three scoreless, hitless frames. Jessee kept it a 1-0 contest entering the seventh.
The Wind Surge plated four runs in the top of the seventh to make it 5-0. Johnson came on for the eighth and spun two scoreless innings. The right-hander recorded a career-high six strikeouts. Northwest Arkansas loaded the bases in the ninth and Carson Roccaforte knocked in a run with a ground ball, but the Nats failed to score any more and fell, 5-1.
The Naturals face the Wind Surge in the fourth game of the six-game series on Friday at 7:05 PM CT. The first 500 kids in attendance will receive a Naturals Lunch Box as they enter the gates. Fans can enjoy pregame “Happy Hour” specials at the Bullpen Party, as well as a postgame Firework display. Fans can get their tickets at NWANaturals.com for the remainder of the series.
As always, fans can follow along through the Naturals' TV broadcast, available with a subscription to MLB.tv or the MiLB App and for free through the Bally Live Sports App. Additionally, you can listen to the radio call with the "Voice of the Naturals", Shawn Murnin, all season long on the MiLB app and NWANaturals.com.