Five Run First Dooms Naturals in Loss
Published on July 29, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
TULSA, OK - The Drillers jumped on Naturals' starter Aaron Crow early, getting across five runs in the first inning and holding on for a 5-3 win over the Naturals Thursday night at ONEOK Field.
Crow (7-7) walked Anthony Jackson to start the bottom of the first, and, after Charlie Blackmon bunted him to second, Bronson Sardinha homered to put Tulsa (20-13, 49-53) up 2-0. Crow got Wilin Rosario to fly out for the second out, but then Jeff Kindel walked and Scott Beerer singled to put runners at the corners.
Crow then plunked Tulsa backstop Lars Davis and then walked Warren Schaeffer to force in a run and make it 3-0. Radames Nazario then followed with a two-run single to put the Drillers up by a 5-0 margin they would not relinquish.
Crow managed to limit the damage from there, allowing Tulsa a pair of hits and three walks in the following three innings. But the Drillers pitching staff buckled down to make the early lead hold up.
The Naturals (20-12, 62-40) got two of the runs back on a two-run ground rule double from Tim Smith in the fourth that cut the lead to 5-2, but didn't get more than a single runner on in an inning again until the seventh.
Drillers starter Cory Riordan (6-4) issued leadoff walks to Smith and Anthony Seratelli. Ben Theriot bunted the runners over and one run came in on the ensuing RBI groundout from Chris McConnell, but Seratelli was left stranded when Riordan coaxed Derrick Robinson to groundout.
Riordan completed seven frames in the win, allowing five hits and three runs while issuing two walks and fanning eight. Crow was lifted after just four innings and was charged with all five runs. He issued six walks and recorded five of his outs via the strikeout.
The Naturals got two runners on with two out in the eighth against Andy Graham but couldn't come up with a run. They also got two one-out singles in the ninth, but Drillers' closer Stu Pomeranz retired Derrick Robinson on a flyout and fanned Johnny Giavotella to end the game, earning him his 12th save on the season.
The Naturals now head to Springfield to begin a five-game weekend series with the Cardinals that begins with a 7:10 P.M. start Friday night. Right-hander Alex Caldera (3-1, 3.77) goes for the Naturals opposite right-hander Trey Hearne (2-1, 3.77) for Springfield. The game can be heard live on ESPN 92.1 The Ticket.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state of the art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale. You can purchase tickets and group outings with the Naturals by calling (479) 927-4900.
Texas League Stories from July 29, 2010
- Travs Blank Cards 4-0 Behind Anton - Arkansas Travelers
- Hooks Maul Missions, Win Series - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Drillers Win, Move Closer to Naturals - Tulsa Drillers
- Five Run First Dooms Naturals in Loss - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- ONEOK Field to Host TYPROS Event - Tulsa Drillers
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