Naturals Blank Drillers Wednesday
May 19, 2010 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGDALE, AR Chris McConnell reached base safely on a seventh-inning squeeze bunt attempt as Manny Pina crossed the plate for the game's only run as the Naturals blanked the Tulsa Drillers 1-0 on Wednesday afternoon for their second shutout in three games.
Southpaw Edgar Osuna, who is second in the league in ERA, was deadlocked into a pitcher's duel with Tulsa right-hander Cory Riordan through the game's first five frames before the light rain that had been falling for most of the game got heavier as the sixth inning started.
Neither team was able to get much going offensively before the rain delay. The best chance either team had at a run came in the fourth, when the Naturals were able to get two on with one out. Clint Robinson reached on a fielding error and was forced out on a groundout from Nick Van Stratten. After Van Stratten swiped second, Manny Pina walked. Van Stratten would have scored on the single from Tim Smith that followed, but Tulsa catcher Wilin Rosario was able to pick Van Stratten off second. Pina moved over to third on Smith's single, but Ernesto Mejia was fanned to end the threat.
Matt Repec doubled to start the sixth and Osuna ran up a 2-0 count on Jason Van Kooten before the umpires ordered the tarp rolled onto the field. The rain delay lasted for 71 minutes. Everett Teaford came on from the bullpen after the delay and Van Kooten ended up reaching on a fielding error by Naturals' shortstop Chris McConnell which moved Repec to third. Anthony Jackson followed and grounded softly towards first, and Naturals' first baseman Clint Robinson was able to gun down Repec at home. Both runners moved up 90 feet on Eider Torres' ensuing groundout, and Teaford walked Jeff Kindel to load the bases. Teaford then got Scott Beerer to pop out to first to end the frame.
Manny Pina singled to lead off the seventh for the Naturals (24-14). Smith followed and bunted him successfully over to second. Pina moved to third when Ernesto Mejia followed with a single. Chris McConnell, the Naturals' number nine hitter, squared up for a one-out safety squeeze attempt that turned into an RBI bunt single when McConnell beat the throw from Tulsa reliever Sean Jarrett (2-1). That scored Pina and put the Naturals up 1-0.Teaford (4-2) worked around a hit in the eighth to finish up three innings of scoreless relief for the win. Brandon Sisk came on for the ninth and allowed a leadoff walk to Jeff Kindel, but retired the next three batters to earn his fourth save on the season.Osuna ended up with a no-decision after going five-plus innings. He allowed three hits, fanned four, and didn't walk anybody. Riordan also tossed five innings, yielding two hits, fanning five, and walking three.
Mike Moustakas had two hits on the day for the Naturals, while Matt Repec had two of the four hits by the Drillers (15-23).
The Naturals will get an opportunity to go for the sweep of the four-game series with Thursday night's game. In a match-up of big time prospects, right-hander Aaron Crow (1-3, 4.75) and lefty Christian Friedrich (0-1, 2.61). Crow, the Royals' second-ranked prospect, has been in a rut recently and was roughed up his last time on the hill. In that start against Springfield, Crow threw 5 2/3 innings, yielding four earned runs, and struck out four. In his last three starts, Crow has given up 12 earned runs. Friedrich is the Colorado Rockies' second-ranked prospect. He came off the Disabled List this past weekend after being on the shelf with an elbow injury. In his first appearance back Friedrich went 4 2/3 innings, gave up one earned run, and struck out seven in a no decision.
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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