Early Offense Not Enough as Missions Rally Late in 8-7 Loss
Published on June 5, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SAN ANTONIO, Texas. "" Northwest Arkansas (32-20) used a six-run third inning to take an early lead; but late offense by the San Antonio Mission (23-30) downed the Naturals in the series opener by a score of 8-7 at Nelson Wolff Municipal Stadium Friday night.
The Naturals batted around in the third inning as they recorded six runs on five hits off Missions starter and reigning Texas League Pitcher of the Week, Justin Hancock to take the initial advantage at 6-0. Lane Adams brought home Kenny Diekroeger to open up the scoring with Raul Mondesi driving home a pair with a two-run single.
Mike Bianucci rolled a ball into leftfield to plate the fourth run of the inning and two batters later, with a runner on for Jorge Bonifacio, the 22-year old outfielder blasted his ninth home run of the season to highlight the six-run frame.
The Naturals led 7-1 after a sacrifice fly by Alex Liddi headed to the bottom of the sixth when the Missions finally got to Naturals starter Christian Binford for a four-run inning to trim the deficit to 7-5.
Right-hander Matt Murray entered in the sixth to get the final two outs and went on to throw 2.2 shutout innings before handing the ball to Aroni Nina (2-2, 8.38). San Antonio plated three runs off Nina with Duanel Jones delivering the two-out, two-run single to walk-off for the Missions.
Bonifacio finished 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored while Mondesi ended 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI. Outfielder Terrance Gore extended his on-base streak to a league-best 20 straight games with a bunt single in the third. He finished 1-for-4 with a run scored.
The Naturals are now 0-8 in series openers against South Division opponents this season.
Northwest Arkansas turned to red-hot left-hander Jonathan Dziedzic (2-3, 3.38) for game two to even the series against right-hander Bryan Rodriguez (3-7, 3.91) who will counter for the Missions.
Tune in with the Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly beginning at 6:50 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to the 7:05 p.m. first pitch on the Naturals flagship station, 92.1 "" FM, the Ticket.
Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Twitter @nwanaturals throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime for all of our up-to-date information on tickets, groups, promotions, and team-related information.
Texas League Stories from June 5, 2015
- Offense Delivers Again as Missions Take Series - San Antonio Missions
- Hazelbaker and Cardinals Drill RockHounds, 6-2 - Springfield Cardinals
- Riders Spoil De Leon's Debut Before Record Crowd - Tulsa Drillers
- Missions stun Naturals on Jones' walk-off in ninth - San Antonio Missions
- Travelers Take Series Opener - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Early Offense Not Enough as Missions Rally Late in 8-7 Loss - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Mazara, Robinson Go Yard as Riders Roll - Frisco RoughRiders
- RoughRiders' Recent Community Initiatives Achieve Tremendous Success - Frisco RoughRiders
- Arkansas Travelers Game to be Televised on American Sports Network Locally - Arkansas Travelers
- Just Doing a Little Sweeping at Midnight - Midland RockHounds
- Drillers Lose in Extra Innings in Olivera's Debut - Tulsa Drillers
- Missions' Bats Stay Hot in Win over Travs - Arkansas Travelers
- Evans Blast Downs Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- RoughRiders Avoid Sweep with Hard-Fought 8-7 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Adams' Big Night Powers Riders to Victory - Frisco RoughRiders
- San Antonio Takes Series as Offense Stays Hot - San Antonio Missions
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