TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Myers Powers Naturals to Win

Published on May 14, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


TULSA, OK - Powered by Wil Myers two home runs, The Northwest Arkansas Naturals defeated the Tulsa Drillers 10-6 Monday afternoon at ONEOK Field.

The Naturals (20-17) got on the board quickly in the first inning. After two quick outs, Wil Myers hit a solo home run to right, his 12th of the season, putting the Naturals ahead 1-0. Johnny Whittleman followed up with a home run of his own, making it the first time the Naturals have had back-to-back home runs since last July, and putting them up 2-0.

Elisaul Pimentel (1-1) pitch five solid innings in his first start of the year, walking two and striking out three. His only blemish came on the only hit he gave up in the second, a home run to Kent Matthes. His sixth of the year cut the lead in half to 2-1.

Tulsa (24-13) starter Joe Gardner (1-2) settled down in the second, but allowed single runs in the third, fourth, and fifth, before being pulled. In the third, Carlo Testa hit a sacrifice bunt, allowing Yem Prades to advance to third, but a throwing error allowed Testa to reach base, with Prades scoring on the play.

In the fourth, Julio Rodriguez hit an RBI single, with Paulo Orlando scoring on the play. Eric Duncan singled home Whittleman in the fifth to put the Naturals up 5-1.

The Naturals put the game away with one swing of the bat in the sixth, as Myers hit his second home run of the afternoon, and Texas League-leading 13th of the season. Mario Lisson scored on the play.

Tulsa mounted a comeback against reliever Ethan Hollingsworth, who was making his Naturals debut. The Drillers scored two in the sixth on Nolan Arenado's two-run double. After the Naturals got another run on a Rodriguez bunt single, Tulsa scored three runs in the eighth. After Arenado hit a sacrifice fly, Keil Roling hit a two-run home run to right, making it 8-6.

The Naturals scored two runs in the top of the ninth, with Rey Navarro singling home Sharlon Schoop, and Orlando squeezing home Duncan. Patrick Keating held on, pitching the final inning and a third to earn his sixth save of the year.

Myers started the game at third base for the second consecutive game. He spent two innings at third before being sent to center field for the remaining innings.

Game two of the series is Tuesday night at 7:05 PM. Chris Dwyer (2-4, 5.91) faces Edwar Cabrera (4-2, 3.09). The game can be heard on News/Talk 1030 AM KFAY.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from May 14, 2012


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