Drillers Fall To Naturals Again
Published on May 14, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The month of May has been tough for the Tulsa Drillers and the trend continued Wednesday afternoon as Tulsa fell to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 5-3 at Drillers Stadium. The defeat dropped the Drillers record in May to 3-10. Seven of the ten losses have been by two runs or less. During their tough stretch, the Drillers have often given up early runs and that was the case in Wednesday's game as the Naturals jumped to a quick lead in the top of the first inning.
Drillers starting pitcher Xavier Cedeno surrendered three singles including a two RBI base hit to Naturals first baseman Juan Richardson. The two runs marked the sixth game in a row that the Drillers have given up a run in the first or second inning.
Richardson was 2-4 with 2 runs batted in on the day and is now hitting .480 over the last 6 games.
The Drillers answered and took the lead in the bottom of the third. Corey Wimberly, in his second game back in the line-up after being hit in the face by a line drive in batting practice, doubled home two Driller runs. Scoring on Wimberly's seventh double of the year were Duke Sardinha and Brian Esposito. After Wimberly advanced to third on a throwing error by Naturals shortstop Irving Falu, Dexter Fowler hit a sacrifice fly to center field that gave the Drillers a 3-2 lead.
The lead held until the seventh inning when the Naturals rallied for a pair of runs off Jonathan George, who had relieved starter Xavier Cedeno in the fifth inning. After pitching two scoreless innings, George gave up a home run to Naturals second baseman Marc Maddox. The game-tying blast by Maddox was his first of the year and only his fifth run batted in.
After a single by Ed Lucas, Eduardo Valdez took over for George. Two batters later, and after a wild pitch, Jose Duarte singled up the middle to score Lucas and give the Naturals a 4-3 lead.
The Naturals added an insurance run in the top of the ninth to push the score to 5-3. With Lucas at second, Falu singled up the middle.
Dusty Hughes closed out the game for the Naturals, allowing only two hits in three innings of relief work to pick up the save. Starter Blake Johnson (4-2) was credited with win, allowing three runs on six hits in his six innings.
The Drillers and Naturals will wrap up their four-game series Thursday night at Drillers Stadium. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05PM. The finale will match Drillers right-hander Tomas Santiago (2-2) against Daniel Cortes (0-1) for Northwest Arkansas. Cortes is rated by Baseball America as the number two prospect in the Kansas City Royals farm system.
Texas League Stories from May 14, 2008
- Travs Walk Off With Another One - Arkansas Travelers
- Cards Return Friday, Fall Wednesday to Travs - Springfield Cardinals
- Drillers To Host Memorial Day-Military Appreciation Day - Tulsa Drillers
- Drillers Fall To Naturals Again - Tulsa Drillers
- Hooks Score but Can't Win - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Morrissey Returns To Arkansas - Arkansas Travelers
- Travs Hold Benton/Bryant Night Friday - Arkansas Travelers
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