Hardy Breezes his Way Past Drillers
Published on August 5, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGDALE, AR- Rowdy Hardy faced one batter over the minimum over six frames and earned his third win in five starts as the Naturals cruised to an 8-0 victory over the Tulsa Drillers. The game was delayed one hour and fifteen minutes at the start for severe weather and showers.
Five Naturals hitters had multi-hit efforts in a 13-hit game for Northwest Arkansas. Turned out the bottom of the second would be all they'd need, however.
Corey Smith and Ed Lucas led off with singles. After Marc Maddox struck out, Cody Clark singled to load the bases. Smith and Lucas would come in when Drillers first baseman Jeff Kindel's throw towards home went wide as Josh Johnson reached on a force attempt. Jose Duarte then drove in Clark and Johnson and with a single to left to put Northwest Arkansas up 4-0.
They never looked back. The Naturals added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings on an RBI single by Ed Lucas in the fifth and an RBI double by Jose Duarte in the sixth which gave Northwest Arkansas a 6-0 cushion. Those runs were all charged to Drillers' starter Keith Weiser (7-11), who departed after six innings. He was tagged with six runs, four earned, ten hits, and struck out five while walking one.
The offense was more than Hardy (3-1) needed. He fanned four and allowed three hits and a walk in his six innings before Aaron Hartsock and Ben Swaggerty combined to blank the Drillers (22-17, 60-49) over the final three frames to preserve the shutout.
Corey Smith took Tulsa Drillers reliever Jonathan George deep in the seventh for his 19th homer of the season, a two-run shot to the deepest part of left-center that put Northwest Arkansas (23-16, 59-50) up 8-0.
Smith led the Naturals with three hits, including his homer, while Duarte totaled three RBI. In addition, Duarte as well as Lucas, Clark, and Jeff Bianchi had two hits apiece.
The Naturals now retake a one-game lead over the Drillers in the Texas League North. They'll play the rubber game of the three-game series Thursday night with a 7:00 P.M. start. Right-hander Andy Graham (2-4, 4.95) will start for Tulsa opposite right-hander Anthony Lerew (6-6, 4.62) for the Naturals.
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. The Naturals have a toll-free ticket hotline (1-877-444-2637) for fans to purchase Naturals tickets. Our website, nwanaturals.com offers fans the opportunity to purchase tickets online and avoid lines at the ticket windows by printing their tickets at home or at the office.
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