Missions Come Within Four Outs of Perfection
Published on July 9, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGDALE, AR- With Kansas City Royals third baseman Alex Gordon in the Naturals lineup on a rehab assignment and former Diamond Hog Logan Forsythe in the Missions lineup, the Arvest Ballpark faithful figured on a game to remember. What they'll remember was the dominating pitching from Missions starter Mat Latos, who was perfect in five innings as San Antonio cruised to a 5-1 victory over Northwest Arkansas.
Latos (5-1) combined with relievers Scott Rice and Brandon Gomes to keep the Naturals off the basepaths until the eighth inning, when, with two out, Naturals right fielder David Lough doubled to break up the perfect game with four outs to go.
There have only been three perfect games in the long history of the Texas League. Only once, in 2005, has there been a perfect game involving more than one pitcher. Latos had been on a limited pitch count in part because he will participate in the XM All-Star Futures Game on Sunday, part of Major League Baseball's All-Star Week in St. Louis.
For his part, Naturals' starter Matt Kniginyzky came close to matching Latos' work through four innings, allowing just three hits. The Missions got a run across in the fifth, when he issued a two-out walk to Luis Durango, who would score on a double by Eric Sogard for the game's first run. After settling down to retire the Missions in order in the sixth, things got hairy in the seventh. Kniginyzky fanned Brian Joynt to start the frame and then Mitch Canham singled. Kniginyzky got Seth Johnston to line out for the second out, but Luis Durango singled to put a second runner on as Kniginyzky was lifted in favor of southpaw Dan Cevette. Cevette had trouble finding the strike zone, allowing the runners to move up on a wild pitch and ultimately issuing a walk to Eric Sogard, the first batter he faced. Lance Zawadski's ensuing bases-clearing triple put the San Antonio (7-6, 46-37) up 4-0, and they added the fifth run on a single by Craig Cooper, who followed.
Kniginyzky (2-7) ended up being charged with three earned runs in his 6 2/3 innings. He fanned four and issued just one walk and was charged with the loss.
Northwest Arkansas (8-4, 44-38) would add a run in the ninth off Missions' reliever Evan Scribner. Cody Clark singled to lead off and was driven in on a two-out double by Alex Gordon, but Scribner got Corey Smith on a sharp lineout to finish it.
These two teams will continue their series Friday night at 7:00 P.M. Right-hander Dan Cortes (6-6, 3.92) is slated to toe the rubber for the Naturals opposite left-hander Nathan Culp (5-5, 4.20) for the Missions.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale. The Naturals have a toll-free ticket hotline (1-877-444-2637) for fans to purchase Naturals tickets. Our website, nwanaturals.com offers fans the opportunity to purchase tickets online and avoid lines at the ticket windows by printing their tickets at home or at the office.
Texas League Stories from July 9, 2009
- Travs Blow Out Hounds Thursday Night - Arkansas Travelers
- Three-Game Winning Streak Snapped - Springfield Cardinals
- Van Hekken Beats Drillers Again - Tulsa Drillers
- Missions Come Within Four Outs of Perfection - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Frisco Fox Trots Over Springfield - Frisco RoughRiders
- Tough Missions team arrives in Springdale - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Missions Activate RHP Rolando Valdez; LHP Philip Barzilla to DL - San Antonio Missions
- Hail Cesar - San Antonio Missions
- Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Day on Saturday - Springfield Cardinals
- Travs' Struggles Against Midland, Frisco Continue - Arkansas Travelers
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