
3 Home Runs Not Enough for Drillers in Springdale
Published on April 22, 2016 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Playing in the second game of their four-game series against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, the Drillers seemed to be in a good spot Friday night. After clubbing two home runs through the first five innings, the Drillers were tied with the Naturals at 3-3. But a late inning scoring spurt by the NW Arkansas lineup proved to be too much for Tulsa to overcome as the Drillers fell by the final score of 10-5 at Arvest Ballpark.
Once again, the middle innings did Tulsa in as the Naturals scored seven runs over the sixth and seventh innings to eliminate their early deficit.
Tulsa got on the board first though as Lars Anderson continued his hot-hitting ways since joining the Drillers earlier in the week. Following a one-out walk to Willie Calhoun, Anderson stepped up to the plate and blasted his third home run of the week to put the Drillers up 2-0.
The Naturals responded in their half of the third inning as the home team plated three runs on three hits. Hunter Dozier had the big hit of the frame with a 2-RBI double to put NW Arkansas in front 3-2.
After a scoreless fourth inning, Alex Verdugo smacked a two-out, line-drive blast over the right field fence to pull the Drillers even at 3-3 all. It was Verdugo's second homer of the year.
The score remained knotted up until the bottom of the sixth when an error allowed NW Arkansas to take a slim lead. With the bases loaded and no outs, Tulsa starter Scott Barlow induced a groundball to third. Brandon Trinkwon stepped on the bag at third for the force out but then misfired on the throw home, allowing Bubba Starling to score and put the home team up 4-3.
Although Barlow was able to escape the inning to minimize the damage, the Drillers would not be as fortunate in the seventh.
Ten NW Arkansas hitters came to the plate in the decisive frame against relievers Grant Dayton and Seth Frankoff who had relieved Barlow. Dayton came into the game not having allowed an earned run yet this season. But that changed quickly as the Naturals scored six times.
The inning began with another Tulsa error when Calhoun was unable to get the ball out of his glove cleanly on a grounder at second. That seemed to open the floodgates as a walk, a hit batter, two doubles and three singles allowed by Dayton and then Frankoff put the game out of reach.
Calhoun attempted to redeem himself in the top of the eighth as he launched a two-run shot onto the right field berm to make the score 10-5. But Calhoun's first Double-A homer would prove to be too little, too late as the Drillers would get no closer.
Although he struck out six batters over his six innings of work, Barlow was dealt the loss after allowing the four runs to the Naturals. NW Arkansas starter Jake Junis earned the win as he allowed just three runs over the same period.
Tulsa catcher Kyle Farmer also saw his 10-game hitting streak come to an end Friday night as the slugger went 0-4 in his first game without a hit this season.
The Drillers and Naturals will continue their series Saturday night with a slightly earlier start time of 6:05PM. Tulsa will start RHP Chase De Jong (1-2, 3.86 ERA) while NW Arkansas will counter with LHP Eric Skoglund (0-0, 5.23 ERA.)
Texas League Stories from April 22, 2016
- 3 Home Runs Not Enough for Drillers in Springdale - Tulsa Drillers
- Burg, Beck Bolster 'Riders - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Edge Cardinals in Narrow 3-1 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Missions' Bats Erupt to Even Series - San Antonio Missions
- Naturals Claim 5th Straight Victory at Home - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Balanced Offense Helps San Antonio Even Series - San Antonio Missions
- Riders Game Notes - 7:05 at Corpus Christi Hooks - April 22, 2016 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Riders Holding Fan Vote for Star Trek-Inspired Jerseys - Frisco RoughRiders
- RockHounds Are All Heart (Of the Order) - Midland RockHounds
- Travs Take Opener in Arkansas - Springfield Cardinals
- RockHounds Crush Missions 9-2 - San Antonio Missions
- Drillers Unable to Overcome Big Third Inning - Tulsa Drillers
- Travs Bats Stay Hot in 9-4 Series Opening Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Sadzeck, Cordell Lead RoughRiders - Corpus Christi Hooks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
