Rogers, Drillers shut out Naturals
Published on May 12, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
TULSA, OK- Esmil Rogers fanned seven in six scoreless innings to lead the Tulsa Drillers over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 4-0 Monday night.
The Tulsa offense handed the right-hander an early lead with a run in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, Daniel Mayora singled and stole second base. After Michael Paulk struck out, Jeff Kindel brought Mayora home with the game's first run with a bloop single into left field.
It remained 1-0 until the fifth when Daniel Carte hit his second home run of the season, a solo shot to into the net above the wall in left field.
The Drillers added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to increase the lead to 4-0. The inning started with another single and stolen base from Mayora. Paulk followed with another single that moved him to third, and Darin Holcomb brought him home with a double to center field. Paulk scored on Michael McKenry's single to complete the inning.
Rogers (1-1) worked around five hits in six innings, fanning seven and issuing two walks. He now leads the Texas League in strikeouts with 33.
The Naturals made a bid to end the shutout as Tommy Baumgardner came on for the top of the ninth. Baumgardner got two outs, but also allowed a hit and hit another batter before giving way to Andrew Johnston.
Johnston hit the first batter he faced to load the bases and bring the tying run to the plate. He recovered to retire Joe Dickerson on a full count, called strike to end the threat and the game. It was his Texas League leading ninth save of the season, and he is now a perfect nine for nine in save opportunities for the Drillers (16-14).
Naturals starter Blake Wood (1-2) lasted five innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits. He struck out just one batter and issued only one walk. Chris Nicoll and Dan Cevette combined to keep the Drilelrs off the board in the final three frames.
Both Cody Strait and Jordan Parraz had two hits apiece for the Naturals (14-16).
The Naturals wrap up their series with the Drillers Tuesday afternoon at 12:35PM. Dan Cortes (0-4, 5.02 ERA) will go for Northwest Arkansas opposite Chaz Roe (1-0, 3.55 ERA).
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.
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