Naturals pick up see-saw battle in Tulsa
Published on May 12, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
TULSA, OK - Cody Strait had four hits in a perfect day at the plate and the Naturals got three runs across to break a 5-5 tie in the top of the ninth to beat the Tulsa Drillers 8-5 Tuesday afternoon. Northwest Arkansas notched a split in their four-game road series in Tulsa and completed their eight-game trip with four wins.
After a 29-minute rain delay at the start of the contest, both team's offenses were held scoreless in the first three frames until Corey Smith homered into the short porch in left center with two out in the fourth to give the Naturals an early 1-0 lead. It would be short lived, however, as the Drillers got one back in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice by Tulsa first baseman Jeff Kindel. The Naturals quickly struck back with a second run in the top of the fifth on another home run by John Suomi.
Dan Cortes started for the Naturals and pitched well for five innings before he ran into a rough patch in the bottom of the sixth. He issued a leadoff walk to Jose Gonzalez, who promptly stole second base. Leadoff man Cole Garner doubled him in, and then was driven in on a single by Daniel Mayora, who reached second on a throwing error. That spelled the end for Cortes, who left with the Naturals down 3-2 and still is seeking his first victory in 2009. In five-plus innings he allowed four hits, two walks, and three runs (only two earned). He walked two and did not strikeout a batter.
Chris Hayes came in and masterfully worked around the jam, retiring Mike Paulk on a sacrifice bunt, issuing an intentional pass to Jeff Kindel, then coaxing Ryan Harvey to ground into an inning-ending double-play. Hayes used a total of seven pitches to get the three outs and now has an 0.83 ERA.
The Naturals would then get two in the seventh and one in the eighth off of Tulsa reliever Jon George, on in relief of the Drillers' spot starter Andy Graham. Brian McFall doubled to lead off the seventh and moved to third on a double by Cody Strait, the third of his four hits. Suomi singled to center to score McFall to tie things up, and then Chris McConnell drove in Strait on a squeeze bunt. Jordan Parraz led off the eighth with his second home run of the season to put the Naturals up 5-3.
Tulsa would go back and knot things back up in the eighth, scoring two runs off of Victor Marte (2-1). Jeff Kindel's two-run double with two out got by Naturals' left fielder Joe Dickerson and scored Cole Garner and Mike Paulk.
Northwest Arkansas (15-16) would get four singles in the top of the ninth by Cody Strait, Chris McConnell, Jose Duarte, and Joe Dickerson to plate three runs and secure the victory. Tulsa reliever Austin Chambliss (1-1) took the loss.
Cole Garner and Daniel Mayora each had two hits for Tulsa (16-15). Graham, making a last-minute spot start for Tulsa's scheduled starter Chaz Roe, lasted for five innings, allowing four hits and two runs while fanning four.
The Naturals now return to Springdale where tomorrow they will begin a four-game series against the Springfield Cardinals. Listen to all Naturals games live on KURM 790 AM or online at www.nwanaturals.com or www.kurm.net.
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. For tickets call (479) 927-4900 or visit nwanaturals.com.
Texas League Stories from May 12, 2009
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- Naturals OF Duarte promoted to AAA Omaha - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Naturals Overcome Drillers 8-5 - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals pick up see-saw battle in Tulsa - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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- Travelers' Wipke promoted to Salt Lake - Arkansas Travelers
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