TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Naturals Snap Losing Streak with Convincing Win

Published on May 18, 2013 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, Ark. -- Brooks Pounders scattered three hits over five innings and the Naturals hit three home runs as they ended a six-game losing streak with an 11-4 win over the Tulsa Drillers at Arvest Ballpark on Saturday night.

Brett Eibner led off the first inning with a walk and scored on Orlando Calixte's first Double-A home run, a two-run shot to left field off of Drillers starter Tyler Matzek. The Naturals used largely the same formula in the fourth inning, as Roman Hernandez struck out but reached on a wild pitch to lead off the inning. Matt Fields hit his team-leading 10th home run to right field to give the Naturals a 4-0 lead, with Angel Franco scoring later in the inning on an Alex McClure sacrifice fly to give the Naturals a 5-0 lead after four innings.

Tulsa threatened in the sixth inning but a key defensive play got the Naturals out of the inning. The Drillers loaded the bases thanks to a pair of walks and a single, but Kent Matthes flew out to Eibner, with Eibner throwing out Rafael Ortega at home as he tried to score for the final out of the inning.

McClure scored on a wild pitch in the sixth before the Naturals offense added five runs in the seventh. Hernandez and Fields scored on an Franco triple, with Franco crossing the plate on a wild pitch. Eibner hit the third and final home run of the night, a two-run blast to center field for the Naturals 11th and final hit.

A grand slam by Kiel Roling off of Andy Ferguson got Tulsa on the board in the eighth inning. Roling's ninth home run of the season was his second in as many days against the Naturals.

Pounders earns his first Double-A victory, keeping the Drillers scoreless while allowing three hits with two walks and four strikeouts in five innings. Pounders didn't allow a hit until Delta Cleary led off the fourth inning with a single. J.C. Sulbaran and Santiago Garrido each fired a scoreless inning of relief.

Matzek falls to 1-4 with his third straight loss. Matzek allowed five runs on six hits with five walks and four strikeouts in four innings. Former Natural Tim Sexton was charged with four runs on three hits in 1.1 innings, while Isaiah Froneberger allowed two runs on two hits in 1.2 innings.

The Naturals will send Jason Adam (0-4, 8.64) to the mound tomorrow afternoon. Tulsa is scheduled to counter with Christian Bergman (2-2, 3.28) for the 2 p.m. game.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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