Drillers Pounded in Road Trip Opener
Published on July 26, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
A seven-game road trip got off to a rough start for the Tulsa Drillers Tuesday night at Springdale's Arvest Ballpark. In game one of a three-game series with Northwest Arkansas, the Naturals scored ten times in the game's first three innings and cruised to a 10-1 victory over the Drillers.
The defeat was the third straight for the Drillers and leaves them two games behind the first-place Naturals in the North Division standings of the Texas League.
The onslaught began with a three-run first inning run against Drillers' starter Christian Friedrich. All three runs scored with two outs. With one out, Jeff Bianchi singled and Wil Myers walked. After Jamie Romak flied out, Nick Francis plated both runners with a double to the wall in left field. A run-scoring single from Anthony Seratelli made it 3-0.
Friedrich worked a scoreless second inning, but he could not survive a seven-run third. A base hit and a pair of walks loaded the bases with one out. Seratelli brought home the first run with an infield hit that was deflected by Friedrich. Salvador Perez then cleared the bases with a grand slam home run that gave the Naturals an eight-run cushion.
Ray Navarro made it consecutive homers and ended Friedrich's night. Sean Jarrett relieved and surrendered an unearned run that up the Naturals' lead to 10-0.
The seven runs matched the biggest inning by a Tulsa opponent this season.
The performance was out of character for Friedrich. The lefthander had not allowed more than three earned runs in 15 straight starts, a streak that dated back to April 27. The loss dropped his record to 6-7.
Tulsa's lone run in the game scored in the top of the fourth. Texas League home run leader Tim Wheeler led off with a base hit and moved to third on a double from Tommy Field. Wheeler scored when shortstop Bianchi mishandled a grounder off the bat of Ben Paulsen.
The Drillers' bullpen was outstanding in relief of Friedrich, holding the Naturals without a hit after their big third inning. Jarrett got the final two outs in the third before working two hitless innings.
Adam Jorgenson allowed only a walk in two hitless frames, and Casey Weathers struck out two in a 1-2-3 eighth inning.
Chris Dwyer allowed only three hits and one run in eight innings to collect the win and improve his record to 4-9.
Field accounted for half of Tulsa's four hits in the game.
The Drillers will look to snap their skid Wednesday night in the second game of their three-game series with the Naturals. Rob Scahill will take the mound for Tulsa against Jake Odorizzi with first pitch scheduled for 7:00PM.
Texas League Stories from July 26, 2011
- Travs Early Lead Not Enough in 7-5 Loss - Arkansas Travelers
- Four-Run Eighth Secures Win for 'Riders - Frisco RoughRiders
- Cardinals Beat Travelers 7-5 - Springfield Cardinals
- Drillers Pounded in Road Trip Opener - Tulsa Drillers
- Dwyer, Naturals Manhandle Drillers - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Game Notes, July 26 - San Antonio at Corpus Christi - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Cardinals Back at Hammons Field Tonight - Springfield Cardinals
- Series Preview: Naturals Get Re-Acquainted with Drillers - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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.
