Drillers Shut out for Second Night in a Row
May 21, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
In a quick two hour and three minute affair, the Tulsa Drillers were shutout for the third time in four games on Saturday night, as they were unable to muster any offense against Northwest Arkansas Naturals starter Eric Skoglund (2-1, 4.26 ERA).
Skoglund, who towers over the mound at 6'7", was masterful in this one, retiring 12 of the first 13 Drillers batters to come to the plate.
Alex Verdugo led off the second inning with a double to left-center field, but was stranded there as the next three batters were retired quietly. The Drillers did not have another runner reach second base in the contest.
On the hill for the Drillers for the first time this season, Jeremy Kehert (0-1, 6.00 ERA) had a solid beginning to his night, allowing only two runners to reach in the first three innings, and not allowing either to advance past second base.
The Naturals offense came alive in the bottom half of the fourth inning, stringing together four singles to start the frame. Ryan O'Hearn got the ball rolling on a line-drive base-hit to right field. Orlando Calixte, Mauricio Ramos and Frank Schwindel all followed suit with singles of their own, with the runners moving station-to-station with each hit, giving the Naturals a 1-0 lead.
Kehert was able to punch-out Cam Gallagher to record the first out of the frame, but the damage was not yet done. Northwest Arkansas left fielder Carlos Garcia delivered the big blow with a three-run triple to the left-center gap, stretching the lead to 4-0, which would be the final score of the game. Aggressive base-running may have cost the Naturals a chance at an even bigger inning, as Garcia was cut down at the plate on a fielder's choice.
Sparks flew a little in the bottom of the fifth inning when Naturals manager Vance Wilson was ejected following a double play. Orlando Calixte tapped a grounder towards Willie Calhoun who picked up the ball and attempted a tag of runner Ryan O'Hearn. Following the tag, Calhoun threw to first to double up Calixte. Wilson did not agree with the call and argued until he was ejected by first base umpire Jon Felczak.
The Drillers will try to get their offense back on track tomorrow against these same Naturals. Alec Mills (1-1, 2.36 ERA) will take the mound for Northwest Arkansas, while Trevor Oaks (3-1, 3.52 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Drillers. The game is scheduled to begin at 2:05PM.
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- Skoglund Dominant as Naturals Shut out Drillers - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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