Drillers Take Round 3 of Top Team Matchup
Published on June 12, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The Tulsa Drillers won their third straight game over Northwest Arkansas Tuesday night at ONEOK Field, and just like the first two, it was keyed by a strong outing from a starting pitcher. Nick Schmidt, like Parker Frazier and Edwar Cabrera the previous two games, was outstanding. The lefthander worked six shutout innings and was aided by the Drillers biggest offensive inning of the season as Tulsa defeated the Naturals 10-2.
The win increased the Drillers first-place lead in the North Division standings to two games over the Naturals and the Springfield Cardinals. There are only seven games remaining in the first-half of the season.
Schmidt allowed only three hits and one walk in his six-inning outing. He struck out eight batters as the victory improved his season record to 4-3 and lowered his ERA to 3.38.
In the three wins over the Naturals, Schmidt, Cabrera and Frazier have combined to pitch 19 2/3 innings, allowing a combined 6 hits and only 1 run.
A big part of Tulsa's offense came off the bat of Lars Davis who was 2 for 3 with three RBI's and a walk in Tuesday nights win over the Naturals. (Rich Crimi)
After three scoreless innings, Tulsa broke through with a pair of runs in the fourth against ex-Drillers hurler Ethan Hollingsworth. The inning began with a leadoff double from newcomer Corey Dickerson and a walk to Kiel Roling. After Kent Matthes struck out, a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Lars Davis then brought them both home with a lined single into left field to make it 2-0.
It remained that way until Tulsa blew the game open with its offensive eruption in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, another walk to Roling and a base hit by Matthes put runners at first and second. Davis picked up his third RBI with a base hit that scored Roling. Following a walk to Mike Mitchell that loaded the bases, Josh Rutledge cleared them with a three-run double that upped the Drillers lead to 6-0.
Angelys Nina doubled home Rutledge before Nolan Arenado's homer capped the big inning and put Tulsa in front 9-0. For Arenado, it was his sixth home run of the season.
The Naturals ended the shutout with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh off reliever Joey Williamson.
Eight of the nine Tulsa starters had a hit in the game, and eight of nine scored a run. Rutledge led the 12-hit attack with a 3-5 night, while Arenado and Davis added two hits each. The three runs batted in from Davis matched a season high for the catcher.
The three-game winning streak for the Drillers comes after they had lost seven of their first eight meetings with the Northwest Arkansas this year. The record included a four-game sweep by the Naturals at ONEOK Field in May.
Tulsa will look to complete the four-game sweep of Northwest Arkansas Wednesday afternoon. Joe Gardner (3-3, 4.71 ERA) will take the mound for the Drillers against Noel Arguelles (2-5, 6.07 ERA) of the Naturals. First pitch is slated for 12:05PM at ONEOK Field.
Texas League Stories from June 12, 2012
- Drillers Take Round 3 of Top Team Matchup - Tulsa Drillers
- Big Inning Dooms Naturals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Maness Motors Through Travs Tuesday - Arkansas Travelers
- Game Notes, June 12 vs. San Antonio - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Padres Send Andrew Cashner To San Antonio - San Antonio Missions
- Royals Farm Report June 12 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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