TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Naturals Build Early Lead, Fall Late in Tulsa

Published on June 23, 2016 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


TULSA, Okla. - The Naturals continued the second-half of Texas League play on Thursday night at ONEOK Field with Game 1 of a four-game series against the Tulsa Drillers (Los Angeles Dodgers). Northwest Arkansas built an early 3-0 lead; but saw the advantage dissipate with the Drillers walking-off in the opener by a 4-3 final.

The Naturals (31-42/2-1) kicked-off the scoring with Bubba Starling blasting his sixth home run of the season to begin the fourth inning. The Garner, Kan. native took a 3-1 pitch from starter, Lisavelto Bonilla over the left-field wall, giving Northwest Arkansas a 1-0 lead.

Cam Gallagher followed with a base-hit to jar the Tulsa starter from the game, but the Naturals kept hitting, regardless. Logan Moon doubled off the centerfield wall to move runners into second and third base. Two batters later, with two outs and runners in scoring position, Corey Toups dribbled a single under the glove of shortstop, Drew Maggi, to plate a pair of runs, extending the advantage to 3-0.

Left-hander, Matt Strahm, worked 6.2 innings of solid baseball, turning in a quality start. The West Fargo, N.D. native allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out four without surrendering a walk. Strahm allowed a two-run, game-tying home run in the seventh inning to Cody Bellinger to give-up the lead.

Reliever, Kyle Bartsch (1-1) followed Strahm and retired the first five batters faced before allowing a solo home run to Jacob Scavuzzo as the Drillers walked-off a winner.

Toups led the offense with a 2-for-5 night with a pair of runs batted in while Gallagher recorded two hits and scored a run. Ryan O'Hearn saw his team-leading 14-game hitting streak snapped with an 0-for-4 night.

The series continues in Tulsa tomorrow night from ONEOK Field with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch. Northwest Arkansas sends left-hander, Eric Skogludn (3-5, 3.84) to the hill for his 14th start of the season against right-hander, Tim Shibuya (0-3, 3.03) for the Drillers.

Join the Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly, for a 6:45 p.m. Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show, leading-up to first pitch.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from June 23, 2016


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