Baseball: Naturals fall 5-4 to San Antonio

SPRINGDALE -- San Antonio played a little long ball to pick up a 5-4 win over Northwest Arkansas on Friday night in front of 6,509 fans in Arvest Ballpark.

Gabriel Quintana hit a pair of solo home runs, including one in the eighth that gave the Missions a 5-3 lead and turned out to be the game-winner.

Northwest Arkansas (27-27, 56-68) got a run in the ninth on Alfredo Escalera's run-scoring groundout, but Corey Toups took a called third strike with the tying run at third to end the game. Jose Torres notched his second save for San Antonio.

Naturals manager Vance Wilson was disappointed his team didn't do more against Missions starter Tim Berry. Northwest Arkansas got to the left-hander for seven runs in just two innings less than a week ago in San Antonio. He allowed just two runs over five innings this time.

"We swung at too much off-speed stuff early in counts that he doesn't throw for strikes," Wilson said. "They were prepared for that, but obviously didn't execute. Unfortunately, the lineup's not stretching like it should."

The Missions (29-25, 51-73) took the lead with back-to-back home runs with two outs in the top of the third innings. Nick Schulz hit his ninth homer of the year, a three-run shot. Quintana followed with a solo blast to center field, his 19th, for a 4-0 San Antonio lead off Naturals starter Glenn Sparkman.

Northwest Arkansas came back with two in the fifth on a solo home run by Zane Evans, his fourth of the year, leading off the inning. Jack Lopez walked moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, stole third and scored when San Antonio catcher Rocky Gale's throw sailed into left field for an error.

The Naturals got within 4-3 when Ryan O'Hearn walked, moved to second and third on two wild pitches by reliever Trey McNutt and scored on Mauricio Ramos' RBI single.

Short Hops

• Sparkman, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, allowed four runs (all earned) on six hits. He struck out five and walked two. It was his first start for the Naturals since April 27, 2015.

• Naturals reliever Eric Stout threw two scoreless innings, retiring all six batters he faced. The left-hander struck out four.

On Deck: The Naturals will play their second game against San Antonio. Northwest Arkansas sends Yender Caramo (3-7 2.87 ERA) against Dinelson Lamet (5-6 3.52 ERA).

Today's Promotions: The first 2,000 fans get a Mike Moustakas bobblehead. It's also happy hour before the game from 4:35-5:35 p.m. at the Bullpen Cafe concession stand.

On The Air: KQSM-FM 92-1

On The Web: www.nwanaturals.com

Sports on 08/20/2016

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