The long ball helps Naturals win
Midland, TX – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals managed to beat the Midland RockHounds, Double-A affiliate of the Oakland A’s, Friday night during game 3 of the Texas League Championship series off the long ball heroics from Eric Hosmer. The Naturals now lead the 5-game series 2-1. The game started off as an old fashion pitchers duel between John Lamb and Ryan Edell until Midland struck first with a sixth inning home run from Grant Green off Lamb.
John Lamb faced a total of 23 batters in his 6.2 innings of work with a total of 86 pitches. Lamb only allowed 2 hits, 1 run (1 earned run), 1 walk and struck out 5 during his last start of the season. Henry Barrera was called on to get the last out of the seventh and all three outs in the eighth, also. Patrick Keating finished up the game despite digesting one of the worst ground-ball hops ever in the ninth to pick-up his 3rd save of the post-season.
For all those perceptive people who may have noticed the jersey without name, new shoes or different glove on John, I assure you there was good reason. The different number worn by Lamb was one of necessity due to the fact that all of his gear missed the bus and was accidentally left in Springdale, AR. John was sent ahead of the team by the club for the purpose of getting some extra rest for the game. Luckily, as we know there are plenty of left-handers on the Naturals roster to ease borrowing a glove to play.
The opportunity to see my son’s last game of the season in a Texas League Championship series could not have been better scripted. I will always have a roller coaster of emotions when I get to see John pitch in a professional baseball game. Last night was certainly true to form throughout the entire experience. I honestly was taken back from the kind round of applause from the Midland crowd as John walked off the mound in the seventh inning. This has been quite the year for John Lamb and Friday night was the perfect way to place an exclamation point at the end of his first full season schedule within the Royals farm system.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, now have two chances for the last win to grab the Texas League crown. Tonight’s game at 7:00 CT will feature Will Smith for the Naturals and Matt Wright for the RockHounds. Game is at CitiBank Ballpark and can be heard live online at ESPN, 92.1 The Ticket.
Go grab a ring Naturals!
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After a slow start to AA your son reverted back to his dominant self. Heck of a game last night. As a father myself I am sure u were on the edge of your seat both nervous and proud. We kc royal fans can’t wait to see the wave of young guys in 11 & 12. Congrats and let’s win one more for the ring!!
Greg,
Happy to see him make the adjustments to compete at the AA level. The ride of emotions made it difficult to sit in one place during his game on the mound. I was gald to get the chance to witness them taking the TL crown!
Thanks man. That has been interesting reading.
Tax attorney,
Thanks for the visit and compliment.
John,
It was awesome to see John finish the season the way he started. Just dominating the hitters. I heard the umpire really shrunk the strike zone and John just kept his composure and really resp0nded nicely. Tell him we look forward to him being in KC in the very near future. Go Nats!!! Go Royals!!!
Chris
Chris,
Thanks for the visit and kind comments. It was very nice to see him finish strong heading into his off-season routine. Hope you can come out to KC for the Futures Night on Oct 1 against the Rays to meet some of the Royals future assets. Take care…
WOW! What a ride! So happy for John and couldn’t be more happy for you to have had the chance to see it from he stands!
I listened to it from home on the edge of my seat holding my breath till the last pitch.
WAY TO GO!!!!!!!
Can’t wait to kiss you both!!!!!!!
CK,
It was a very exciting game and conclusion to the 2010 season. You will need to wait on the kiss from lefty for a little while…sorry🙂
So glad to see John end the season on high note, he deserves that. He, and many in the Royal’s minor leagues, have had a great year.
Ron,
Yes, it was a great way to finish up a solid season in professional baseball. The future is very bright for the Royals and we are grateful to have a small place in that equation…GO ROYALS!