Naturals Overcome Drillers 8-5
Published on May 12, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
During Tuesday afternoon's series finale with Northwest Arkansas, the Tulsa Drillers came from behind three times to either tie the game or take the lead. But a three-run ninth inning from the Naturals was too much for the Drillers to overcome and they suffered an 8-5 loss at Drillers Stadium. The result gave the two teams a split of their four-game series.
Andy Graham was a surprise starting pitcher for the Drillers after scheduled starter Chaz Roe was scratched with a strained oblique just minutes before game time. Graham pitched well despite the short notice, blanking Northwest Arkansas through the first three innings.
The Naturals broke through for the first run of the game in the top of the fourth inning. Corey Smith hit a fly ball that just cleared the left field wall for his fourth homerun of the season that gave the Naturals a 1-0 lead.
After being held without a hit through the first three innings by Naturals starting pitcher Dan Cortes, Tulsa answered in the bottom of the fourth. Daniel Mayora singled up the middle and stole second to move into scoring position with no outs. He moved to third on a fly out and then scored on a sacrifice fly from Jeff Kindel to tie the game at 1-1.
The Naturals quickly responded in the top of the fifth as John Suomi hit a line drive home run to left-center field. It was Suomi's fifth homer of the year.
The Drillers momentarily took the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Jose Gonzalez drew a lead off walk and stole second base. The catcher scored on a double by Cole Garner.
Mayora followed and laid down a perfect bunt. Third baseman Corey Smith fielded the roller and threw wildly past first base. The hit and error allowed Garner to score and to put the Drillers in front 3-2.
Jonathan George relieved fellow reliever Xavier Cedeno to start the seventh inning. He surrendered back-to-back doubles that put runners on second and third with no outs. Soumi singled on a pop fly to centerfield that tied the game at three. A sacrifice bunt by Chris McConnell gave the Naturals the lead once again.
In the top of the eighth, Jordan Parraz extended their lead with a line drive home run into the netting in left center field. Parraz's second homer of the year put the Naturals up 5-3.
The Drillers battled back to tie the game again in the bottom of the eighth. After Garner singled to left and Paulk walked, Kindel doubled on a fly ball to left field that scored both runners to tie the game at five.
Northwest Arkansas finally delivered a decisive blow in the ninth against Austin Chambliss. Strait led off with a single and moved to second on a ground out. Another base hit by McConnell brought him home with the go-ahead run.
Jose Duarte delivered the third single of the inning. McConnell, who had moved to second on a previous throw to the plate, attempted to score on the plate and appeared to be out on a strong throw from center fielder Anthony Jackson, but catcher Gonzalez was ruled to have lost possession of the ball in a collision with McConnell. With Duarte at second, Joe Dickerson produced another run-scoring single to give the Naturals an 8-5 cushion.
Victor Marte (2-1) worked a scoreless bottom of the ninth to preserve the lead and gain his second win of the year. Chambliss was tagged with the loss to fall to 1-1.
The Naturals out hit the Drillers 13-6 in the game. Strait led the Naturals' attack with a perfect 4-4 day.
Garner and Mayora collected two hits each for Tulsa, and Kindel picked up three runs batted in.
The double by Garner in the bottom of the sixth extended his hitting steak to ten games. It matches the longest streak of the year for a Tulsa player. Paulk hit in ten straight earlier this season.
The Drillers will now begin a four-game series against the Arkansas Travelers Wednesday night at 7:05 PM at Drillers Stadium. Tulsa's Jhoulys Chacin (2-3, 3.94 ERA) will duel Arkansas' Michael Anton (0-2, 5.40). It will be the third series meeting already between the Drillers and the Travelers. Tulsa has a 5-3 record against the Travs this year.
NOTES:
Mayora was 9 for 17 in the series against the Naturals. He has also collected four stolen bases in the last 3 games...Cortes, rated as the third best prospect in the Kansas City farm system, allowed four hits and three runs (2 ER) in five-plus innings. . . The game started 29 minutes late due to rain showers in the Tulsa area.
Texas League Stories from May 12, 2009
- Missions Muscle Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Reckling improves to 3-0 in Travs win - Arkansas Travelers
- Cards Drop Second Straight to Travs - Springfield Cardinals
- Naturals OF Duarte promoted to AAA Omaha - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Naturals Overcome Drillers 8-5 - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals pick up see-saw battle in Tulsa - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Midland Drops RoughRiders 9-1 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Travelers' Wipke promoted to Salt Lake - Arkansas Travelers
- Missions Road Report - San Antonio Missions
- Rogers, Drillers shut out Naturals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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