Naturals Pound Drillers
Published on August 5, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
In game two Wednesday night of an important three-game series between the two top teams in the North Division of the Texas League, Tulsa was unable to overcome a big, four-run second inning by Northwest Arkansas and the Naturals posted a 8-0 win at Arvest Ballpark. The loss dropped the Drillers out of a first-place tie and one game behind the Naturals in the standings.
The start of the game was delayed by 1 hour 15 minutes by rain, but it did not take the Naturals long to get going. Their big second inning began with consecutive singles off Drillers' starter Keith Weiser by Corey Smith and Ed Lucas. After a strikeout, Cody Clark loaded the bases with another single. A two-base throwing error by first baseman Jeff Kindel allowed the Naturals to score the game's first two runs, while back-to-back singles by Jose Duarte and Jarrod Dyson produced a third run. The lead swelled to 4-0 when Duarte stole home on the back end of a double steal.
The margin remained at four runs until Lucas drove home Jeff Bianchi with a run-scoring single in the fifth inning.
Josh Johnson singled and scored on a double by Duarte to make 6-0 in the sixth inning.
In the seventh, Smith belted a two-run homer off reliever Jonathan George to increase the margin to 8-0. It was the 19th home run of the season for the Naturals' clean-up hitter.
Tulsa was unable to muster any offense against Naturals' starter Rowdy Hardy and a pair of relievers. The Drillers were limited to only five hits in the game, and it was the seventh time this season they have been shutout.
Rowdy Hardy improved his record to 3-1 with the win. He allowed only three hits in six shutout innings.
The loss for Weiser dropped his record to 7-11.
The two teams will play the third game of their three-game series Thursday night. Andy Graham (2-4, 4.95 ERA) will make the start for the Drillers against Anthony Lerew (6-6, 4.62 ERA) of the Naturals. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05PM in Springdale.
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