EARLY OFFENSE NOT ENOUGH AS MISSIONS PREVAIL

SPRINGDALE, Ark - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals (6-5, 45-36) recorded some early offense against San Antonio (8-3, 49-32) on Monday night but it was not enough as the Missions prevail to clinch the series win over the Naturals with a 5-3 victory.
After being held scoreless by San Antonio on Sunday, Northwest Arkansas jumped out in front in the bottom of the first. Nicky Lopez led off the frame with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jack Lopez . With two outs and Lopez at second, Nick Dini hit the first pitch he saw out to right-field for a run-scoring single that put the Naturals up 1-0.

The Naturals extended their lead to 3-0 with more two out offense in the second. Alfredo Escalera started the two out rally with a blooper over the head of the Missions' second baseman and then Logan Moon followed with a towering two-run blast.
Trailing 3-0, the Double-A Padres stormed back with a four spot to take the lead in the fifth. With the bases loaded and no outs, Auston Bousfield drove in a run and Nick Torres scored from third on a passed ball to cut the deficit to 3-2. Then with runners at second and third, Luis Urías grounded out to short but it was enough to score the run to tie the game at 3-3. With Northwest Arkansas looking to escape the frame tied, the Missions' Nick Schulz had other ideas as he doubled for a 4-3 advantage.
San Antonio added an insurance run in the eighth against the Naturals hard-throwing lefty reliever Richard Lovelady . Schulz was in the middle of it again as he doubled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a passed ball. Franmil Reyes , the very next batter, battled off a number of Lovelady fastballs before lifting a sacrifice fly to right to set the final score at 5-3.
LHP Joey Lucchesi (W, 1-0) earned the win for the Missions in his first Double-A start as RHP Ashton Goudeau took the loss for Northwest Arkansas. Goudeau was sharp through 4.0 scoreless innings but gave up four in the fifth to take the defeat. RHP Aroni Nina (S, 2), a former 2014-2016 Natural, earned the save in his first appearance at Arvest Ballpark with a scoreless ninth.
Northwest Arkansas will conclude their current 6-game homestand with the series finale against the San Antonio Missions (Double-A San Antonio Missions) at Arvest Ballpark tomorrow night - Tuesday, July 4 - with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. It's the Great American Blast Finale, Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular by The Walmart Museum as well as a Bullpen Craft Beer Bar Happy Hour from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. The Naturals will send LHP Emilio Ogando (5-5, 3.45 ERA) to the hill where he'll be opposed by RHP Chris Huffman (3-1, 2.52 ERA) of the Missions. Catch all of the live play-by-play action with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on your home for Naturals baseball KQSM - 92.1 The Ticket at 6:15 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch at 6:35 p.m. as we celebrate the Fourth of July at Arvest Ballpark.
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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