SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS -- Justin Johnson had two hits, including a homer for the second straight game, in the Northwest Arkansas Naturals' (18-28, 47-66) 6-5 walk-off loss to the San Antonio Missions (21-25, 52-63). The Naturals and Missions continue their series at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium on Wednesday with a 7:05 PM CT first pitch.
The Naturals got on the board first with four runs in the top of the second inning. With one out, Daniel Vazquez and Omar Hernandez each singled, and Colton Becker drove in Vazquez with a single to left, making it a 1-0 game. With runners on the corners, Johnson stepped up to the plate and blasted a three-run homer to right, extending the lead to 4-0. The long ball was Johnson's second in as many games, and he has homered in six of his last 11 contests.
Naturals starter Grant Gambrell did not allow a run over his five innings, but the Missions scored two runs on four hits against MLB rehabber Beck Way in the sixth. NWA got a run back in the bottom of the frame when Spencer Nivens singled home Johnson with two outs, making it a 5-2 Nats lead.
The Missions made it a game in the bottom of the ninth against reliever Augusto Medieta. Two runs came around when Alex McCoy singled through the left side of the infield to make it a 5-4 game, chasing Mendieta with Zachary Cawyer coming in with two outs. Cawyer allowed back-to-back hits, scoring runs on each to relent a 6-5 walk-off loss in the series-opening game.
The Naturals and Missions continue their six-game series in San Antonio on Wednesday with a 7:05 PM CT first pitch. Fans can catch all the action with the "Voice of the Naturals", Shawn Murnin, on the Naturals Baseball Network, available on the MiLB App and www.NWANaturals.com.