Naturals Top Drillers 5-1
June 25, 2009 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
One night before playing their biggest game of the year, the Tulsa Drillers were less than impressive Thursday in a 5-1 loss to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals at Drillers Stadium. The Drillers were held to 7 hits while committing 2 errors and stranding 13 runners in the defeat.
It would be understandable if the Drillers were looking ahead as they will host the Springfield Cardinals Friday night in what amounts to a one-game playoff. The winner will claim the first-half North Division Championship and reserve their spot in the post-season this September.
Thursday's meeting with the Naturals actually served as the first game of the second half for both teams.
Northwest Arkansas took an early lead with three unearned runs in the top of the second.
An error and a hit batsmen put the first two hitters on before a bunt single by Cody Strait loaded the bases. Jose Duarte's 4-6-3 double play grounder plated the game's first run, but got the Drillers within one out of escaping the inning.
The third out proved elusive for starting pitcher Chaz Roe as Chris McConnell made it 2-0 with a run scoring double. Jarrod Dyson followed with another single to give the Naturals a three-run lead.
Daniel Mayora's third home run of the season cleared the net in left and brought the Drillers to within 3-1 in the bottom of the second.
It remained that way until the Naturals put the game away with a pair of runs in the top of the eighth inning. Corey Smith walked and Vance Wilson doubled to put runners at second and third. Strait singled home Smith, and Duarte brought Wilson home to produce the final margin.
Naturals' starter Everett Teaford (2-1) picked up the win by allowing only the one run on five hits in five innings.
Chaz Roe (2-1) suffered his first loss of the year despite not giving up an earned run. He surrendered the three unearned runs on nine hits in five innings of work.
It was a tough offensive night for the Drillers, but Mayora and Sandoval collected two hits each. It continued a hot streak for Mayora who is now hitting .366 in his last ten games.
With the loss, the Drillers can now turn their attention to Friday's key game as they try to capture their first North Division first-half championship since 2006. It will mark the first time in the long history of the Texas League that a playoff game has been used to decide a half winner.
The pitching match up will feature a pair of Texas League All-Stars. Tulsa will send Jhoulys Chacin (6-5, 2.92 ERA) to the mound, while Springfield will counter with ace Trey Hearne (7-1, 2.96 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:05PM at Drillers Stadium with a large fireworks display scheduled for after the game.
Texas League Stories from June 25, 2009
- Naturals Top Drillers 5-1 - Tulsa Drillers
- Cards Win Thursday; Look for Division Crown Friday - Springfield Cardinals
- Trinidad Tosses Gem, Hooks Win Late - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Reckling Named to Futures All-Star Team - Arkansas Travelers
- Pujols, Castro, Lo Represent Astros in Futures Game - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Missions Add RHP Luebke, INF Forsythe; OF Kulbacki, RHP Guevara to DL - San Antonio Missions
- Missions' Manager Kennedy, RHP Latos, OF Durango Named to XM All-Star Futures Game Roster - San Antonio Missions
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