SPRINGDALE, AR – Hunter Owen struck out 10 batters across 5.2 innings, but the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (22-32, 51-70) were shut out 7-0 by the Frisco RoughRiders (27-27, 66-56) on Thursday night at Arvest Ballpark. The Naturals continue their six-game set against the RoughRiders on Friday, with first pitch at 7:05 PM CT.
Frisco got the scoring started in the opening inning, and Owen kept it a 1-0 deficit into the sixth.
The southpaw dealt 5.2 frames of one-run ball and recorded 10 strikeouts. Owen has recorded 30 punchouts over his past three starts and has 45 strikeouts over his five starts in August. He retired the last four batters he faced, fanning three of them.
The RoughRiders tacked on five in the seventh and one more in the ninth to win 7-0. Northwest Arkansas mustered just three hits – two of them by Spencer Nivens. He extended his hitting streak to nine straight games with a single and a double.
The Naturals face the RoughRiders in the fourth game of the six-game series on Friday at 7:05 PM CT. Fans can enjoy pregame “Happy Hour” specials at the Bullpen Party and kids can run the bases after the game. 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.