NATURALS LOSE IN EXTRAS AS MISSIONS PREVAIL, 4-3

SPRINGDALE, Ark - Despite solid Double-A debuts from starting pitcher Arnaldo Hernandez and outfielder Khalil Lee , the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (1-5, 36-40) went to extras where they would lose for the first time this year as the San Antonio Missions (5-3, 47-31) prevailed in 10-innings by a 4-3 final on Friday night at Arvest Ballpark in front of a crowd of 5,169.
Tied 2-2 after nine innings of play, the Naturals and Missions played on into the tenth. San Antonio scored a run immediately on a RBI single by Michael Gettys that plated Peter Van Gansen , whom started the inning at second base due to the new extra-innings rules in Double-A and Triple-A. After a groundout and two walks loaded the bases, Kyle Overstreet drove in the Missions' final tally with a force out to third base to give the visitor's a two-run advantage at 4-2. In the home half of the tenth, the Naturals scored a run on a sacrifice fly by Elier Hernandez but were unable to score another as they fall a run short.

There was a lot of excitement surrounding the Double-A debuts for Hernandez and Lee. Hernandez got the start on the mound and was excellent through his 5.1 innings of work. The big right-hander struck out seven and allowed only two runs on six hits.
Lee, whom is widely considered one of the Royals top prospects, started in centerfield and hit leadoff. He immediately made an impact as he singled in the first inning and would score from first base on a two-out, RBI double to left by Kort Peterson . Peterson would then come in to score from third base on a wild pitch by Missions' starter Jesse Scholtens for an early 2-0 lead.
Northwest Arkansas led 2-0 into the fourth when the Missions plated their first run. Fernando Tatis, Jr. and Josh Naylor singled to begin the frame before Tatis would steal home on an attempted double steal with Naylor to cut the deficit to a run at 2-1.
In the fifth, Missions' third baseman Ty France led off with a towering solo homer to tie the game up at 2-2.
Both teams bullpens were effective from there on out to keep the game tied. The Naturals duo of Yunior Marte and Gabe Speier combined for 2.2 perfect innings while Trevor Frank , Erick Johnson and T.J. Weir (W, 1-0) kept the Naturals at bay. Weir would earn the win while Rowan Wick (S, 5) would pick up the save. Naturals' reliever Bryan Brickhouse (L, 0-2) took the loss.
Northwest Arkansas will conclude their series against the San Antonio Missions, the Double-A Affiliate of the San Diego Padres, with the series finale tomorrow night - Saturday, June 30 - with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. The Naturals will give the baseball to RHP Zach Lovvorn (4-3, 4.94 ERA) while the Missions will turn to LHP Logan Allen (8-3, 2.78 ERA) in the finale. Catch all of the live play-by-play action with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on KQSM - 92.1 The Ticket starting at 5:45 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch of the series finale against the Double-A San Diego Padres.
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 the 2018 season 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