TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Orlando's Blast Holds up in Thursday Win

Published on August 4, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


TULSA, OK - Paulo Orlando's first-inning home run stood up as Jeremy Jeffress earned his first Texas League win in the Naturals' 3-1 victory over the Tulsa Drillers at ONEOK Field on Thursday night. The win gives the Naturals a two-game lead over Tulsa in the North Division second half standings.

Colorado right-hander Alex White (0-1) threw just one inning in a major league rehab start in what was his Rockies' organizational debut. That top of the first inning proved crucial, as Christian Colon singled with one out and Jamie Romak delivered a two-out base hit of his own.

With those runners on first and second, Orlando stepped to the plate. Carrying a 10-game hitting streak into the contest, Orlando cranked a White offering over the center-field fence to put the Naturals (21-19, 56-51) ahead, 3-0.

The blast was Orlando's first with the Naturals this season. In 18 games since being re-assigned from Triple-A Omaha, the outfielder is hitting .377 with nine extra-base hits and has knocked in 13 runs.

Jeffress (1-1) made his fourth Double-A start of the season on Thursday. The right-hander had racked up high pitch counts in the early innings in his first three outings with the Naturals, but worked efficiently from the start of Thursday's game. He dispatched Tulsa (19-21, 52-58) in the bottom of the first on just 13 pitches and then needed only another 15 pitches to get through the next two innings combined.

Jeffress put at least one runner on base in four of his five innings, but worked himself out of trouble each time. Helped out by a double play and Nick Francis' second-inning outfield assist, Jeffress worked five scoreless frames, allowing four hits and three walks while striking out a pair of Drillers.

Cory Riordan entered in the top of the second and pitched well in what was essentially a delayed start. Riordan allowed just two hits and a walk in six scoreless innings, keeping his club in the game.

After Eduardo Paulino fired a scoreless sixth inning, Brian Rike connected on a one-out solo homer off of reliever Willy Lebron in the seventh. With the score now 3-1, Lebron buckled down and went the distance, allowing just another hit and a walk over the final three frames. The effort earned Lebron his first save of the season.

The Naturals did not generate many offensive threats in the game's middle and late innings but ultimately did not need any additional insurance. The club's eight hits were spread out over seven different players, as catcher Ben Theriot notched the team's lone two-hit game. Nick Francis also reached base twice courtesy of a hit and a walk.

Road trip complete, the Naturals return to Springdale on Friday to begin a one-series homestand against the Arkansas Travelers. The first of four games between the in-state rivals gets underway at 7:00 p.m., as Chris Dwyer (5-9, 6.01) takes the mound against Orangel Arenas (8-5, 3.99).

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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



Texas League Stories from August 4, 2011


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