Marimon marvelous for Naturals

Corpus Christi, TX- The Northwest Arkansas Naturals got just enough offense in a 2-1 victory over the Corpus Christi Hooks on Sunday night at Whataburger Field. The Naturals avoided a sweep in the three-game series by winning the finale.

The Naturals' (41-38) offense got on the board first again against the Cropus Christi Hooks on Sunday night. Julio Rodriguez blasted a solo home run off of the Hooks Ross Seaton in the top of the third inning. The home run was the first of the season for Rodriguez and also the first home run hit by a Naturals' catcher this season.

Eric Duncan continued to swing a hot bat for the Naturals delivering a one-out double in the top of the fourth inning. He later scored on an RBI single from Nick Van Stratten to give the Naturals a 2-0 lead.

Sugar Ray Marimon (1-0) was brilliant on the mound in just his second start in Double-A. The right-hander went five and two-thirds shutout innings allowing two hits, while walking and striking out four.

The Hooks (43-36) cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the seventh inning. Catcher Chris Wallace belted his fifth home run of the season off of Naturals' reliever Buddy Baumann to make it a 2-1 ball game.

The Hooks got a great start from Ross Seaton. Seaton (5-5) went seven innings allowing just two runs on six hits, while walking one, and striking out five.

Ryan Dennick worked a perfect ninth inning to preserve the win and earn his third save of the season.

The Naturals will open a three-game series in San Antonio tomorrow night at 7:05 PM. Right-hander Michael Mariot (3-2, 3.83) will take the mound for the Naturals against the Missions right-hander Keyvius Sampson (3-7, 5.90). The game can be heard on ESPN 92.1 The Ticket.