TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Drillers Manage to Avoid Sweep Thursday

Published on July 28, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, AR - Tulsa Drillers' pitchers Joey Williamson and Dustin Molleken combined to shut out the Naturals over the first eight innings, surrendering only a pair of singles, to lead the Drillers to a 5-1 victory over the Naturals at Arvest Ballpark.

Williamson, who had made only four starts in 17 previous appearances this season for Tulsa (16-17, 49-54), retired the Naturals first seven hitters, including four on strikeouts, before hitting Rey Navarro with a pitch with one out in the bottom of the third. A strikeout and caught stealing double play ended the inning with Williamson facing the minimum nine batters through three innings.

In the fourth, he allowed his first hit, a one out single to Christian Colon, before getting a pair of fly ball outs.

Williamson departed after the fourth because he had reached his pitch limit, but Molleken (3-1) came on in relief and matched the starter's performance. In four innings of his own, he only surrendered a one-out single in the sixth. Molleken walked one batter and struck out three.

Brian Rike put Tulsa on the board with a two-run homer in the top of the second off Naturals' starter Edgar Garcia (0-1). Mike Zuanich added a solo home run in the fourth that cleared the centerfield fence to give the Drillers a 3-0 cushion.

Tulsa was gifted a pair of unearned runs in the sixth inning to increase the margin to 5-0. With two outs and the bases empty, Tommy Field reached when Navarro mishandled his ground ball to third. After Zuanich singled, Rike brought both runners home with a double into the gap in left-center field.

Northwest Arkansas (18-15, 53-47) made Tulsa sweat things out in the ninth. Derrick Robinson opened the ninth with leadoff single off Stephen Dodson and then stole second base before Colon fouled out. After Wil Myers brought Robinson home with a base hit, Dodson walked the next two hitters to bring the potential tying run to the plate.

Drillers' skipper Duane Espy turned to lefthander Joe Torres who struck out Anthony Seratelli for the second out of the inning. Espy again went to the bullpen, calling on closer Daniel Turpen. Turpen retired Manuel Pina on a bouncer to third to end the game and collect his eighth save of the year.

The Naturals remain in first place in the Texas League North with a two game lead over the Drillers.

Friday, the Naturals depart on a seven-game road trip that will take them to Springfield and Tulsa. First up is a four-game weekend wrap-around series at Hammons Field. For game one, left-hander Will Smith (9-7, 3.99) will toe the rubber for the Naturals opposite Springfield right-hander Michael Blazek (9-4, 5.89). This will be the fourth start this season the two have matched up and the second in a row. Game time is 7 P.M, and the broadcast can be heard on ESPN 92.1 The Ticket.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Texas League Stories from July 28, 2011


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.

OurSports Central