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NATURALS HOOKED 4-2 IN OPENER AT CORPUS CHRISTI

By Naturals PR Department
May 30, 2016

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Right-hander, Alec Mills, turned in his seventh consecutive quality start and Logan Moon recorded his first three-hit game of the season; but it wasn't enough to cool off the red-hot Corpus Christi Hooks Friday night. Northwest Arkansas dropped the club's third straight game in a 4-2 loss at Whataburger Field.

The 24-year old right-hander, Mills (1-2, 2.33) took the hill for his ninth start of the season and retired the side in order, including striking out big league rehabber and Houston Astros' outfielder, Carlos Gomez, to begin his night. From there, Mills worked 6.0 innings of three-run baseball, surrendering two runs in the second inning and one more in the fifth before exiting after 94 pitches, 62 strikes.

The Clarksville, Tenn. native took a 12.0 inning scoreless streak into the start and extended it to 13.2 after allowing the two-out single toTeoscar Hernandez to snap the stretch. The 13.2 innings is the second longest scoreless inning stretch of the season, behind right-hander and game three starter, Jake Junis, who posted a 17.2 inning streak earlier this season.

Northwest Arkansas (21-26) cut the Corpus Christi lead to 2-1 in the third inning. Moon smoked a lead-off double into the left-centerfield gap and moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt from Jack Lopez. The next batter, Terrance Gore, found just a big enough area in shallow left-centerfield to place a 2-1 pitch from the Hooks' starter, Kent Emanuel (1-0, 1.80) and put the Naturals on the board.

Corpus Christi (29-18) extended its lead in the fifth inning off Mills with three consecutive singles to being the frame. Alex Bregman'sbase-hit was the knock that plated the run, making it a 3-1 lead.

But Mills dug in. After getting designated hitter, Derek Fisher, to line out to second baseman, Corey Toups for the first out, Toups quickly tossed to first base to double-off Bregman, who took off with the crack of the bat. Mills went on to strikeout J.D. Davis to end the inning. Mills finished with three strikeouts on the night.

The Naturals continued to fight: Moon opened up the top of the seventh frame with his second one - this one a tailing fly-ball down the left-field line, out of the reach of the pursuing left-fielder, James Ramsey, and the Blue Springs, Mo. native stood safely on second. Three batters later, with two-outs and a 1-1 count, the Naturals' left-fielder, Carlos Garcia took a fastball from right-handed reliever, David Paulino, and dropped it into right-field to score Moon, making it a 3-2 deficit at the stretch.

Again, the Hooks responded with a single run in the eighth inning en route to the 4-2 win.

Moon finished 3-for-4 on the night with two doubles, giving him now eight on the season, and scored two runs. The outfielder has now doubled in five of his last nine games. Mauricio Ramos snapped a mild 0-for-6 skid and collected two hits in four at-bats tonight.

Right-hander, Evan Beal, worked 1.1 innings in relief of Mills, allowing a run on two hits with a walk. Left-hander, Kyle Bartsch collected the final two outs of the eighth inning, recording one strikeout.

The series between the Naturals and the Hooks continues Saturday night with a 6:05 p.m. first pitch from Whataburger Field. Left-hander,Matt Strahm (2-4, 2.65) looks to be the stopper for the Naturals. He will work against left-hander, Evan Grills (1-0, 0.60) for Corpus Christi.

Join the Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly, for a 5:45 p.m. Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to the 6:05 first pitch on the flagship station of the Naturals, 92.1-FM, the Ticket.

Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Twitter @NWANaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime and #CrowntoCrown for all of our up-to-date information on the Season Nine of Naturals Baseball, tickets, groups, promotions, roster, season standings, player statistics, and updates on Naturals alumni.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark. For more information, including statistics, ticket options, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.

-Naturals-