Pitcher Brandon Durden is making the most of a second opportunity with the Tulsa Drillers. Since returning from a stint with Single A Modesto, Durden made his fourth start Wednesday night in the first game of a doubleheader with Northwest Arkansas. The left-hander threw six-plus strong innings, and Cole Garner hit a big, two-run home run as Tulsa edged the Naturals 2-1 at Drillers Stadium.In game two, Northwest Arkansas jumped to a quick lead with three runs in the top of the first inning and cruised to a 5-1 win.
The split of the doubleheader left the Drillers two games behind the first-place Naturals in the North Division standings.
Durden was outstanding in the first game, allowing the one run on only three hits. He is now 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA since returning from Modesto on July 13.
Garner produced Tulsa's only offense in the second inning. With Jeff Kindel on first base, he belted his tenth home run of the season into the left field netting to give the Drillers a 2-0 lead.
The Naturals were shutout through the first six innings before trying to mount a comeback in the seventh and final inning.
Durden walked the inning's first batter, Corey Smith, on four straight pitches. David Lough followed with a single to put the potential tying runs on base.
Closer Andrew Johnston relieved Durden and a sacrifice bunt by Ed Lucas moved the runners to second and third with one out. Vance Wilson singled home Smith to cut the lead to 2-1. On the play, Lough moved to third, and Wilson advanced to second on the throw home.
Johnston then got the biggest out of the game when Jeff Howell grounded to Kindel. The first baseman threw home to get Lough and keep the Drillers' one-run lead intact.
Johnston ended the suspense when he got Marc Maddox on a ground out to end the game and pick up his 27th save of the season.
Naturals' starter Everett Teaford (3-4) also had a strong outing but was forced to take the loss despite allowing only the two runs on four hits in the complete-game outing.
Each team was held to four hits in the game that took only 1:40 to complete.
In the second game, Wilson opened the scoring with a solo home run into the left field netting off starting pitcher Andy Graham. Later in the first inning, Smith doubled and Lough smashed a two-run home run to right to give the Naturals a 3-0 lead.
They added two more runs in the fifth off reliever Adam Bright. After a pair of walks and a single loaded the bases, Jarrod Dyson's groundout to first base scored a run to make it 4-0. Kurt Mertins followed with a sacrifice fly to center that plated the fifth run.
Starter Jason Godin and reliever Aaron Hartsock each worked three scoreless innings for the Naturals. Hartsock was credited with the win to even his record to 1-1.
The Drillers broke the shutout in the seventh with a run against Chris Nicoll on a RBI single by Kindel.
Juan Abreu got the final two outs to gain his second save of the year.
Graham (2-4) was charged with the loss after giving up three runs on three hits in four innings of work.
The two teams will conclude their four-game series Thursday night. Chaz Roe (3-2, 3.50 ERA) will start for Tulsa against Matt Kniginyzky (4-7, 5.20 ERA) of Northwest Arkansas. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM at Drillers Stadium.
NOTE: Tulsa outfielder Anthony Jackson left the second game in the bottom of the third inning after fouling a pitch off his foot. After the foul, he temporarily stayed in the game, but when he was noticeably limping while running to first on a ground ball, he was removed from the lineup. . . .Tommy Baumgardner worked two shutout relief innings for the Drillers in the second game.
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