Ninth Inning Error Gives Naturals Win
Published on August 4, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGDALE, AR - Offense was at a rare premium, so the Naturals made the most out of a couple of mistakes by the Tulsa Drillers as they got a walkoff 3-2 win Wednesday night at Arvest Ballpark.
Tulsa Drillers' first baseman Jeff Kindel couldn't handle Anthony Seratelli's sharp grounder with one out in the ninth as the speedy Paulo Orlando scored easily from second base for the winning run. Orlando had led off the inning with a single off of Drillers' reliever Rex Brothers (1-1) and was bunted over to second by Jamie Romak.
The back and forth affair featured a couple of clutch hits, good pitching, and several nice defensive plays especially by the Naturals, but the Drillers made a pair of errors and the Naturals made them pay for both.
The first error came in the bottom of the first inning. Derrick Robinson led off with a single off Drillers' starter Keith Weiser and moved to second on a single by Johnny Giavotella. After Weiser fanned Eric Hosmer, Nick Van Stratten grounded into a force out, putting runners at the corners with two out. Weiser then had Van Stratten picked off second, but as the defense chased him around the infield, Derrick Robinson came in to score from third. Meanwhile, Kindel, who eight innings later would be charged with a game-ending error, dropped a throw from Tulsa second baseman Jason Van Kooten and Van Stratten was able to get back to first safely.
That gave the Naturals (24-15, 66-43) a 1-0 lead. Tulsa would tie things up in the second when Van Kooten was able to score from second base on a wild pitch by Naturals' starter Mike Montgomery, making his return to the rotation after six weeks on the disabled list.
Montgomery would only go 3 2/3 innings on a limited pitch count. He allowed three hits and one run while issuing two walks and recording five strikeouts.
The Naturals took a 2-1 lead in the fifth on an RBI triple by Johnny Giavotella, and Tulsa knotted the game up in the seventh. Van Kooten singled to start the inning and moved to second on a one out single by Scott Beerer. Lars Davis followed and singled into left, but Naturals' left fielder Paulo Orlando was able to gun down Beerer at third base. Naturals' reliever Ben Swaggerty, who tossed 3 1/3 innings in relief of Montgomery, then walked Radames Nazario but fanned Matt Repec to end the threat and hold Tulsa to just a run.
Northwest Arkansas couldn't get much going off of Weiser, who allowed six hits and two runs over six innings. He walked one and fanned three.
A great defensive play kept the Drillers off the board and from threatening in the ninth. Jeff Kindel roped a one-out double down the right field line, but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple when Van Stratten relayed the ball to Giavotella, who gunned him down by a step at third base.
Kindel's error made a winner of Henry Barrera (2-1), who held Tulsa to two hits and a walk in a scoreless eighth and ninth. The win dropped Tulsa (22-17, 51-57) to two games out of first place in the North Division.
The series closes out Thursday with right-hander *Alex Caldera* (3-1, 3.97) getting the start for the Naturals against left-hander *Christian Friedrich*(2-6, 5.28). Caldera is coming off a no decisions back on July 30th. He gave up three earned runs in five and a third innings in Springfield. Caldera has yet to face Tulsa this season, but at home this season, Caldera is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA. Friedrich is 2-1 over his last four starts. He has two no decisions against the Naturals this season. However, the last time he faced the Naturals, he gave up nine earned runs.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale. The Naturals have a toll-free ticket hotline (* 1-877-444-2637*) for fans to purchase Naturals tickets. Our website, nwanaturals.com offers fans the opportunity to purchase tickets online and avoid lines at the ticket windows by printing their tickets at home or at the office.
Texas League Stories from August 4, 2010
- Hooks Battle Back in Triumph - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Give Brasier Support in 6-1 Win - Arkansas Travelers
- 9th Inning Error Dooms Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Ninth Inning Error Gives Naturals Win - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Cardinals Baffled by Travelers, 6-1 - Springfield Cardinals
- Midland Evens Series with 7-2 Win Over 'Riders - Frisco RoughRiders
- Montgomery Activated, Santiago to DL - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- One Bobble & A 500-Pound Gorilla Escapes - Midland RockHounds
- Drillers Lose, Rosario Injured - Tulsa Drillers
- Cards' Hill Rips Travs With Two Homers - Arkansas Travelers
- Naturals use big flies in comeback - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Hooks Chip Missions - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Springfield Blow Out Travs - Springfield Cardinals
- 'Riders snag a win to end skid - Frisco RoughRiders
- Beltre blazing a trail to the majors - Frisco RoughRiders
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