Giavotella's Hit Wins It in 13th
Published on June 22, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGDALE, AR - Johnny Giavotella's two-out single to left field in the bottom of the 13th inning scored Anthony Seratelli and sent the Naturals to a 5-4 win over the Tulsa Drillers as the season's first half came to a close Tuesday night.
Drillers' reliever Stu Pomeranz (1-4) fanned Tim Smith to lead off the frame and then Seratelli singled. Chris McConnell followed and reached on a bunt single and then Derrick Robinson flied out to left. Giavotella, 1-for-5 on the night coming into the at-bat, ripped a single to left to end it.
Tulsa had jumped out to the early lead Tuesday, plating a run in the first inning off Naturals' starter Eduardo Paulino. Anthony Jackson drew a walk to start the game and was erased on a forceout from Charlie Blackmon. Daniel Mayora's two-out single drove him in for the 1-0 lead.
The Drillers would extend their lead in the third on an RBI double from Bronson Sardinha and a sacrifice fly from Mayora. That put Tulsa up 3-0, but it was short lived as Mike Moustakas tied the ballgame with an opposite field three-run homer in the bottom of the frame. Moustakas has 18 homers on the season and leads all minor leaguers with 66 RBI.
The Naturals took a 4-3 lead in the fifth on a solo homer from Manny Pina, his sixth on the season. The lead didn't last long though as Tulsa tied the ballgame and chased Paulino in the sixth.
Lars Davis singled with one out and then Kiel Roling reached on a throwing error by Moustakas on the force out attempt. That moved Davis to third. Matt Repec followed and also reached on an error as Davis crossed the plate to tie things up. Warren Schaeffer popped out and Anthony Jackson walked before Ben Swaggerty came out of the Naturals' pen in relieft. He got Charlie Blackmon to ground out to end the frame.
Paulino didn't factor into the decision, lasting 5 2/3 innings and allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits. He walked four and fanned three. Swaggerty allowed just a hit over 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, and Patrick Keating pitched in with 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Chris Chavez (2-0), who fanned three and allowed only one hit while keeping the Drillers scoreless in the 12th and 13th, got the win.
Cory Riordan started for Tulsa (29-40) and also received the no-decision. He pitched seven innings, allowing 11 hits and four runs.
Both Mike Moustakas and Paulo Orlando had three hits apiece for Northwest Arkansas (42-28), who improve to 14 games over the .500 mark. The Naturals have never been more than 14 games over .500 in their three year history.
The second half of the season starts Wednesday with an afternoon matinee beginning at 12 noon. The Naturals will send Edgar Osuna (6-2, 2.76) to the mound Wednesday to face Tulsa's Christian Friedrich (0-5, 4.58). Osuna, the Royals' 27th best prospect, was rolling through the season for the Naturals, but he hit a road block in his last start. Against Springfield, Osuna lasted just four innings, and gave up nine earned runs. He ended up with a no decision, but those nine runs were more than he gave up in his previous five starts combined (8). Friedrich pitched well in his last outing, but still suffered the loss and still seeks his first Double-A win. Friedrich pitched seven innings, gave up three runs with two being earned, while fanning four against the Travelers.
Texas League Stories from June 22, 2010
- Giavotella's Hit Wins It in 13th - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers End Half with 13-Inning Loss - Tulsa Drillers
- Kluber KO's Corpus Christi - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs End First Half with 5-2 Loss - Arkansas Travelers
- 'Hounds Drop First Half Finale - Midland RockHounds
- 1st Half Ends with Cardinals Victory - Springfield Cardinals
- Lyles Named to Futures Game - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Shoulder Injury Places Mount on Injured List - Arkansas Travelers
- Moustakas Selected for MLB All-Star Futures Game - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Cowboys Cheerleaders Night Moved - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Felix Jones to Throw out First Pitch, Sign Autographs at Dickey-Stephens Park - Arkansas Travelers
- Experience Fritos Family Fridays at Hammons Field - Springfield Cardinals
- Two More RockHounds Join List of All-Stars - Midland RockHounds
- Hooks Return for Weekend Wrap-Around - Corpus Christi Hooks
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