Missions Snap Skid Behind Needy
James Needy and two relievers combined on a three-hitter as San Antonio edged Northwest Arkansas 2-1 Saturday night in front of 5,194 at Wolff Stadium.
After falling behind early in each of their last two games, the Missions scored first Saturday on Cody Overbeck's second-inning, two-out, RBI single to center off Naturals' starter Matt Murray. An inning later, San Antonio pushed their lead to two when Cory Spangenberg scored from third on a Murray (1-5) wild pitch.
Needy cruised through his first three innings Saturday, allowing just one hit. In the fourth, Northwest Arkansas cut their deficit to one on a rare double error by San Antonio shortstop Diego Goris. It was the first unearned run allowed by Needy all season.
Needy (9-4) shook off the tough luck in the fourth, putting up zeroes in each of the next three frames. In his seven innings of work, the right-hander allowed just three hits and no walks, while striking out a career-high, tying seven.
After Frank Garces struck out a pair in a perfect eighth, R.J. Alvarez (5th save) did the same in the ninth to snap San Antonio's three-game losing streak. The trio combined on a no-hitter on July 30 at Corpus Christi.
Right fielder Alex Dickerson accounted for three of the eight Mission hits in the victory.
San Antonio (25-30, 61-64) and Northwest Arkansas (26-28, 51-73) wrap up their three-game series Sunday, with first pitch slated for 6:05 PM. The first 500 kids 12 & under will receive a free plush toy courtesy of Kellogg's. Rehabber Robbie Erlin (0-0, 3.38) will take the hill for the Missions, while the Naturals counter with Sugar Ray Marimon (0-0, 0.00).