TL1 Tulsa Drillers

Northwest Arkansas Takes Opener from Drillers

Published on July 31, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


Northwest Arkansas entered Tuesday's meeting at ONEOK Field against the Tulsa Drillers with only a 1-13 record in road games during the second-half of the season. The Naturals took out some of their road frustrations in the opening game of a three-game series. Behind a 14-hit output from the offense and strong outing from starting pitcher Sugar Ray Marimon, the Naturals defeated the Drillers 7-1.

Marimon, who was promoted from Wilmington at the end of June, had his strongest Double A outing. In seven shutout innings, the right-hander allowed only three hits and improved his record to 2-3.

Mike Zuanich hauls in a fly ball in Wednesday night's game against the Naturals.

The Naturals gave Marimon an early lead with a two-run second inning off Tulsa starter Parker Frazier. The rally began when ex-major leaguer Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a liner into the left-center field gap that deflected off the glove of left fielder Corey Dickerson for a double. After Manny Pina grounded out, Paulo Orlando singled to put runners at first and third. A sacrifice fly from Carlo Testa brought Kouzmanoff home with the game's first run. A single by Rey Navarro scored Orlando to give the Naturals a 2-0 lead.

Frazier was hurt by another deflected double in the fourth inning. With one out, Orlando hit a liner to straightaway centerfield that Mike Mitchell raced back on, but he had the ball carom off his glove, allowing Orlando to race into second base. Frazier retired Testa on a ground out, but the Naturals scored their third run when third baseman Nolan Arenado misplayed Mario Lisson's potential inning-ending grounder for an error.

Northwest Arkansas blew the game open with a two-out, three-run rally in the fifth. Frazier retired the first two batters of the inning before surrendering consecutive singles to Brian Fletcher and Kouzmanoff. Manny Pina then belted his fourth home run of the year to jump the Naturals lead to 6-0.

Yem Prades singled and scored on a two-out double by Fletcher in the sixth to make it 7-0.

The Drillers lone run came in the bottom of the seventh. Jimmy Cesario singled off reliever Ryan Dennick and later scored on a base hit by Angelys Nina.

Frazier was charged with six earned runs in six innings. He matched a season high with seven strikeouts.

Game two of the series will take place Wednesday night at ONEOK Field. Josh Outman (1-3, 3.94 ERA) will pitch for the Drillers against Noel Arguelles (2-11, 7.58) of the Naturals. Starting time is scheduled for 7:05PM.

NOTES: Colorado Rockies right-hander Jhoulys Chacin will make an injury rehabilitation start for the Drillers in the final game of the series Thursday night. . .Prior to the game, the Drillers placed outfielder Kent Matthes on the disabled list with a strained oblique muscle. Matthes has been one of Tulsa's hottest hitters during the month of July.

Check out the Tulsa Drillers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Texas League Stories from July 31, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central