Naturals Edge Missions to Take Series

San Antonio came up on the wrong end of a pitcher's duel Tuesday night at Wolff Stadium, dropping a 2-0 decision to Northwest Arkansas.
Tuesday's series-deciding contest featured some prominent pitching names. San Diego lefty Matt Strahm took the hill for the Missions in his third rehab appearance with the club. For the Naturals, it was former big leaguer, and two-time All-Star, Clay Buchholz.
Strahm looked sharp in his three shutout innings, allowing just two hits and no walks, while striking out four. Buchholz was even more impressive, limiting San Antonio to just one hit and two walks, while punching out five over four and two-thirds innings.
The game would remain scoreless until the seventh when the Naturals finally broke through against right-handers Miguel Diaz (1-1) and Jason Jester on a Donnie Dewees double down the left-field line.
An inning later, the Naturals tacked on an insurance run off Jester with an RBI-single from Royals rehabber Salvador Perez, who drove in a run in each game of the series. San Antonio caught a bad break on the play as Perez's fly ball to right was lost in the lights by Forrestt Allday.
Buchholz along with relievers Jason Adam (1-0), Franco Terrero and Jake Newberry (2^nd save) combined on a three-hitter.
Following a day off, San Antonio (7-5) begins a four-game road series against Midland (8-4) Thursday. First pitch from Security Bank Ballpark is slated for 7:00 PM. Lefty Logan Allen (1-1, 5.91) will get the ball for the Missions in the opener, while the RockHounds counter with right-hander Ben Bracewell (1-1, 1.80).