TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Drillers win, narrow gap on Naturals

August 31, 2009 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, AR- The Tulsa Drillers erupted for five runs in the third inning and three more in the fifth en route to an 8-4 win over the Naturals at Arvest Ballpark in the final home game of the regular season for Northwest Arkansas. The loss cut the Naturals lead in the North Division to one game with only seven games remaining in the regular season.

The Naturals took an early lead, scoring a second-inning run without the benefit of a hit. Ed Lucas was hit by a pitch from Drillers' starter Andy Graham, stole second and eventually scored on sacrifice fly from Corey Smith. The lead did not last long, however, thanks to Tulsa's five-run third. The rally began with two outs and the bases empty when Dayton Buller singled. Anthony Jackson was hit by a pitch, and Darin Holcomb singled to load the bases. Michael Paulk drew a bases loaded walk to force in a run and tie the score at 1-1.

Jeff Kindel then put the Drillers in front with a double that plated both Jackson and Holcomb. Ryan Harvey followed with a two-run single that increased the lead to 5-1.

A solo home run by Marc Maddox in the bottom of the third, his fourth longball of the season, cut the Drillers' margin to three runs, but Tulsa put the game away with its three-run fifth. The inning began with back-to-back singles by Jackson and Holcomb. Paulk's sacrifice fly plated Jackson, and then Kindel singled to put runners at the corners. Naturals' reliever John Bannister got Ryan Harvey to strike out for the second out of the inning, but Daniel Mayora tripled to score Holcomb and Kindel as Tulsa opened an 8-2 lead.

Andy Graham (4-4) turned in a solid performance for Tulsa, allowing only three hits and two runs in five innings. Alberto Alburquerque and Edgmer Escalona combined to work three perfect innings in relief of Graham.

The Naturals were able to save ace reliever Aaron Hartsock for tomorrow's game as they turned to catcher Cody Clark to pitch the ninth. He issued a walk and allowed a hit, but got out of the inning without allowing a run. It was the second scoreless inning Clark has pitched this season.

Northwest Arkansas (34-29, 70-63) did mount a rally in the ninth. Drillers' All-Star closer Andrew Johnston came on and the Naturals scored twice on three hits and error. Jeff Bianchi singled to short and moved to second on a groundout by Ed Lucas. David Lough singled as Bianchi moved up 90 more feet to third. Corey Smith followed and reached on an error by Tulsa third baseman Darin Holcomb, scoring Bianchi. After Johnston got Jeff Howell swinging, Cody Clark, batting as the pitcher, singled up the middle to bring in Lough. A balk by Johnston moved up the runners to second and third, but Maddox flied out to left to end the game and secure the win for Tulsa (33-30, 71-62).

Federico Castaneda (0-3) took the loss for the Naturals. He allowed the first five Driller runs and lasted three innings, allowing the five runs on four hits.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics



Texas League Stories from August 31, 2009


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