Rodriguez Ropes in Win
Published on June 18, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGDALE, AR - Julio Rodriguez ripped a line drive single in the tenth to give the Naturals a 6-5 win over the Tulsa Drillers on Monday night at Arvest Ballpark.
The Naturals offense took the lead in the bottom of the second inning. Paulo Orlando led off with a single, stole second, and later scored on a Rey Navarro single.
The Tulsa Drillers' (40-29) offense took the lead back with three consecutive hits off of Naturals' starter Ethan Hollingsworth. Nolan Arenado led off with a single, Ben Paulsen followed with a ground ruled double, and Corey Dickerson hit a three-run home run. The home run was the second of the season for Dickerson, and his second against the Naturals. Hollingsworth threw a season high five and a third innings allowing eight hits and three runs.
Johnny Whittleman blasted his 12 home run of the season to deep center field to cut the deficit to 3-2. Whittleman will be participating in the Home Run Derby at the Texas League All-Star game in Tulsa on June 28.
The Naturals were able to tie the game up in the bottom of the sixth inning getting a two-out solo home run from Carlo Testa. The home run was the ninth of the season for Testa. Joe Gardner went six innings allowing nine hits three runs, while striking out six.
Paulsen delivered another big blow in the top of the seventh inning belting a two-out two-run home run to put the Drillers back on top 5-3. The home run was the seventh of the year for Paulsen.
The Naturals chipped away at the Drillers lead in the bottom of the eighth. Navarro reached on an infield single, and Mario Lisson, and Carlo Testa each walked to load the bases. Josh Sullivan balked while pitching to pinch-hitter Sharlon Schoop to make it a 5-4 game.
Nick Van Stratten singled to start the ninth inning and moved to second on a wild pitch, and then to third on a Yem Prades ground out. He scored on a two-out RBI single from Whittleman to tie the game at five.
The Naturals (36-33) got a double from Testa, his eleventh of the season in the tenth inning. Rodriguez, who had come on for a defensive replacement provided some offensive fireworks with a walk-off single to give the Naturals a 6-5 win.
John Keck (2-0) worked two and two-thirds innings allowing just two hits to pick up his second win of the season. Cory Riordan (3-2) was the hard luck loser for the Drillers.
The same two teams will continue their four-game series tomorrow night at 7:05 PM. The Naturals will send Michael Mariot (3-2, 4.89) against right-hander Dan Houston (7-5, 3.05) of the Drillers. The game can be heard on ESPN 92.1 The Ticket.
Texas League Stories from June 18, 2012
- Bullpen Shines in Travs' 5-4 Win; Team Ends Four-Game Skid - Arkansas Travelers
- Tulsa Winning Streak Snapped - Tulsa Drillers
- Rodriguez Ropes in Win - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Cardinals Fall to Travs 5-4 - Springfield Cardinals
- RockHounds Extend 'Riders Losing Streak to Three - Frisco RoughRiders
- Missions Use Huge Third To Beat Corpus 10-1 - San Antonio Missions
- Hooks Split Series with Sunday Night Win - Frisco RoughRiders
- Tulsa Sweeps Arkansas - Tulsa Drillers
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