TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Drillers Defeat Naturals on Friday Night

Published on June 26, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, Ark. - Naturals centerfielder Bubba Starling went 2 for 4 on the night with a run scored but the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (0-4, 40-34) were defeated by the Tulsa Drillers (4-0, 34-39) on Friday night by the score of 5-1.

Tulsa starter Jharel Cotton was excellent for the Drillers as he kept the Naturals bats at bay all night. The 23 year old right hander delivered 7.0 strong innings allowing only one run on six Naturals hits while striking out four on the night. Starling, batting out of the two spot, led the Naturals offense as he collected two of the six hits on the night and scored Northwest Arkansas' lone run in the game.

The Drillers struck first in the top half of the first inning when Yadir Drake hit a sacrifice fly to score Ronald Torreyes, who had singled up the middle to begin the inning, to give Tulsa an early 1-0 lead. Tulsa would then extend their lead in the top half of the fourth inning when Jerek Cunningham launched an opposite field two-run run homer into the Naturals' bullpen to extend the Drillers lead to 3-0. Ali Solis would add an RBI double to score Shawn Zarraga with two out to add another run and make it a 4-0 game.

In the bottom of the sixth the Naturals would respond with some two out offense. Starling reached via a single and Jorge Bonifacio followed him with a single of his own. Balbino Fuenmayor drove in Starling with a two out RBI single to reduce the deficit to 4-1.

Tulsa would add one more run in the top half of the eighth inning on an RBI single by Zarraga to score Drake who had walked to begin the inning to make it 5-1 and then the relief combination of Jorge De Leon and Ralston Cash would close the door on the Naturals.

Northwest Arkansas starter Christian Binford (2-3 5.24 ERA) took the loss while RHP Jharel Cotton (1-0 1.38 ERA) received the win.

The series between the Naturals and Drillers continues tomorrow night at 6:05 p.m. Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. for a Naturals' Replica Batting Helmet Giveaway courtesy of Great Day Farms. The Naturals will send RHP Luke Farrell (1-2, 5.18 ERA) to the hill to face RHP Jose De Leon (2-2, 4.24 ERA) of the Drillers. Tune into the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on your home for Naturals baseball on KQSM 92.1 The Ticket at 5:50 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch against Tulsa.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from June 26, 2015


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