NATURALS KNOCKED OFF IN 11-INNINGS, 4-3

MIDLAND, Texas - Jorge Mateo's ground-ball single up the middle with two-outs in the 11^th inning scored Sheldon Neuse , just beating the throw from Logan Moon in centerfield to give Midland a 4-3 win over the Naturals on Tuesday night at Security Bank Ballpark.
Northwest Arkansas (60-61/21-30) trailed early in the game after the RockHounds scored a run in the first and one more in the third frame. Nicky Lopez delivered a two-out, RBI single to score Nick Dini from second to cut into the Midland lead to 2-1. Lopez finished 4-for-6 on the night and singled in each of his first three at-bats.
Right-hander, Corey Ray , fired a shutdown inning in the last of the fourth frame to keep the momentum on the side of the Naturals. Samir Dueñez used that momentum and doubled off Midland left-hander, A.J. Puk to open the fifth inning. Two batters, later, Moon singled sharply into left-field to tie the score at 2-2.

Midland (59-62/24-27) would counter with a go-ahead RBI single in the sixth inning to take a 3-2 lead and end the night for Ray.
The right-hander, tossed 5.2 innings, allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits with three strikeouts in a no-decision.
The Naturals again tied the score on a hit-and-run executed perfectly by Moon and Duenez. Duenez took-off from first base and Moon shot a double into the left-centerfield gap to even the count again at 3-3. The tie game held until the bottom of the 11^th inning.
Left-hander, Tim Hill , worked 1.1 innings, allowed two hits and a walk in relief of Ray. Mark Peterson pitched 2.0 perfect innings with a strikeout while Richard Lovelady (3-2, 2.59) took the losing decision when the run crossed against him in the 11^th inning.
The Naturals out-hit the RockHounds in the game 13-10 and collected doubled by Duenez (22) and Moon (11) in the offensive showing.
The top of the order - -Nicky Lopez, Jack Lopez and Duenez combined to go 9-for-15 on the night with two runs scored, a RBI, and one double in the losing effort.
The series continues on Wednesday, August 16, in game two of the three-game set at Security Bank Ballpark. Right-hander, Zach Lovvorn (4-5, 4.56) will make his 15^th start of the season against right-hander, Grant Holmes (9-11, 4.82). First pitch is slated for 6:30 from the Permian Basin.
Join the Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly, with a 6:10 Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show, leading up to first pitch on the flagship station of the Naturals, 92.1-FM, the Ticket.
Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Facebook and Twitter @NWANaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime and #CrowntoCrown for all of our up-to-date information on Season 10 of Naturals baseball.
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.
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