SPRINGDALE -- Midland used the long ball to rally for a 5-3 win over Northwest Arkansas on Thursday night at Arvest Ballpark.
The RockHounds hit three home runs, including Carson Blair's two-out, two-run go-ahead blast in the top of the sixth inning.
Blair's second home run of the game gave Midland (5-2, 38-39) a 4-3 lead and the RockHounds added an unearned run in the ninth to set the final margin.
Three Midland relievers combined for four scoreless innings, including Bobby Wahl picking up his second save with a perfect ninth.
Northwest Arkansas manager Vance Wilson said his team struggled again with situational hitting, grounding into four double plays. But he also pointed to Naturals starter Matt Strahm (2-7), who needs to maintain focus better allowing all three home runs.
"We've talked about situational hitting and tonight obviously you tip your cap," Wilson said. "Three double plays to three of our better hitters.
"The first (home run) Blair hit was a pretty good change-up. The other one was just a poor pitch. Blair's a first-pitch swinger. We've seen that guy enough over the last couple years. It was one of those deals I was a little disappointed with Strahm's effort trying to get through that last inning."
Midland manager Ryan Christenson said his team had struggled with situational hitting, but came up big against the Naturals as three of their six hits left the park. Blair has come back strong, after an oblique injury early in the season.
"Carson with a big swing of events there being down by one," Christenson said. "We turned a big double play to get out of that inning before and then we get a two-out walk and then Carson's two-run home run. That's a big swing. He left in the middle of April. Blair was with us for like 20 days. He got back in the lineup the week before the all-star break.
"We're a streaky club. We seem to play decent. We just haven't been as good with the runner at third and less than two out. It's something we can improve on."
Northwest Arkansas (4-3, 33-43) took a 2-0 lead on Frank Schwindel's two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the first. The Naturals pushed the lead to 3-1 on Logan Moon's two-out RBI-single, after a RockHounds error.
Short Hops:
• Matt Chapman hit his Texas-League-leading 18th home run, a solo shot, in the fourth to pull Midland within 3-2.
• Four different Naturals had two hits each, including Terrance Gore, who also stole two bases.
• Midland starter Ben Bracewell (4-1) picked up the win, allowing three runs (two earned) over five innings. He struck out three and walked one.
On Deck: The Naturals continue their series against Midland. Ashton Goudeau (2-5 2.97 ERA) starts on the mound for the Naturals. He will be opposed by Daniel Gossett (0-2 3.65 ERA).
Today's Promotion: There will be post-game fireworks.
On The Air: KQSM-FM 92.1
On The Web: www.nwanaturals.com
Sports on 07/01/2016