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TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Naturals Win First Series in San Antonio Since 2015 with 2-0 Finale Triumph

April 17, 2018 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SAN ANTONIO - In a game that featured big names and Major League rehabbers, Northwest Arkansas scratched across two late runs and relied upon tremendous pitching throughout the night to notch a 2-0 win over the San Antonio Missions at Wolff Stadium on Tuesday. The victory clinched the Naturals' its first series win in the Alamo City since 2015 and just the third in franchise history.

The Royals announced earlier in the day the assigning of right-hander, Clay Buchholz, to the Naturals and the 33-year old took the hill and dominated the Missions from the outset. Buchholz made his first regular season start since April 11, 2017 while pitching with Philadelphia and retired the first 11 batters faced on the night.

Buchholz took a perfect game into the fourth inning before allowing back-to-back walks; but managed to dodge any damage by inducing a weak ground ball to first baseman, Samir Duenez, to take care of the side. The veteran hurler allowed his only hit of the night - a lead-off double - in the fifth and retired the next two batters before exiting to a small standing ovation from family and friends after 4.2 innings.

Right-hander, Jason Adam, stranded the inherited runner at third base to keep Buchholz line unblemished by runs. The Nederland, Texas native went 4.2 innings, one hit allow, two walks and struck out five in a sensation first outing. He threw 79 pitches, 56 for strikes.

Adam was just as sharp. The right-hander retired all seven batters faced in his fifth relief outing of the season and has now going 4.1 innings of shutout relief with four strikeouts over his past two appearances.

San Antonio pitching stymied the Northwest Arkansas (5-7) bats until the seventh inning. Former Natural, Matt Strahm, took the hill for his third Major League rehab appearance and worked 3.0 innings of scoreless baseball with four strikeout before turning over the Missions bullpen.

The Naturals cracked the scoreboard in the seventh getting a two-out double by Donnie Dewees to score Duenez from first base to take a 1-0 lead. The double extended Dewees's hit streak to seven straight games with a hit, matching Corey Toups, for the longest such stretch by a Natural this season.

Salvador Perez singled with two outs in the eighth inning, scoring Alex Liddi from second base for a pivotal insurance tally.

Right-hander, Jake Newberry, worked a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts to earn his second save of the season and second save of the series.

The Naturals will enjoy an off-day on Wednesday, April 18 before opening up North Division play against the Tulsa Drillers (Los Angeles Dodgers) at Arvest Ballpark on Thursday, April 19. Right-hander, Scott Blewett (0-1, 3.82) will take the mound for his third start of the season against right-hander, Justin DeFratus (1-0, 0.00) countering for the Drillers.

Join the Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly, with a 6:45 p.m. pregame show, leading up to first pitch on 92.1 the Ticket and the Naturals Radio Network at 7:05 p.m.

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.com/Naturals.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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