Series Preview: Naturals Host Tulsa
Published on August 3, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
The Naturals are at home in Arvest Ballpark to take on the Drillers in a four game series. The Naturals may already have a playoff spot, but are looking to get healthy and get some newly minted members of the rotation some needed experience, while the Drillers would really like to win the second half North Division crown and have playoffs in their brand new ballpark. Thus this becomes a pivotal three-game series, as the Naturals and Drillers come into this series tied for the division lead in the second half standings.
The Naturals (22-15, 64-43) come home after losing three of five in Springfield. The Naturals have scored just four runs total in their last four games.
Everett Teaford had the best pitching performance of his season on the road. Teaford pitched six shut out innings, allowed just two hits, as he picked up his team leading ninth win of the season. It was a spot start however; Teaford is returning to the bullpen but is expected to be deployed in a late-inning relief role.
Eric Hosmer has been strong at the plate for the Naturals. Hosmer is hitting .319 with seven home runs, and 16 RBI's in 19 games with the Naturals.
Tulsa (22-15, 51-55) is coming off a series split with the Travelers in North Little Rock. Before that series, the Drillers took two-of-three from the Naturals in Tulsa.
Veteran OF Bronson Sardinha leads the Drillers in hitting with a .317 average, which would rank as among the league leaders if he had enough plate appearances to qualify. He has seven home runs to go along with 37 RBI's since joining the Drillers in mid-May.
Keith Weiser's eight wins lead Tulsa's pitching staff. He is 1-2 against the Naturals this season. No Tulsa pitcher has more than one victory against the Northwest Arkansas this season.
By the numbers, Tulsa is hitting .246 as a team (seventh in the Texas League), and they have a staff ERA of 4.11(seventh). The Naturals remain ranked first in the league in batting average (.288), and the staff ERA is at 4.06 (sixth in the Texas League).
The series gets underway Tuesday night with right-hander Mario Santiago(6-6, 3.09) going against right-hander Cory Riordan (6-4, 3.84). Santiago is on the mound for the Naturals for the first time since July 11th. He is back with the team after playing for Puerto Rico in the Central American and Caribbean Games. The last time he was on the mound in a Naturals uniform he got a no-decision in Corpus Christi. He is 2-1 with two no-decisions against the Drillers this season. After a slow start to his season, Riordan has been on a roll for Tulsa recently. He is coming off of back-to-back wins including a victory over the Naturals in his last start. He pitched seven innings, gave up three earned runs, and struck out eight in the victory in Tulsa. He is 1-0 with a pair of no-decisions against the Naturals this season. On the road this season, Riordan is 2-1 with a 3.88 ERA. In 117 1/3 innings of work this season, Riordan has walked 29, and struck out 99. His 99 strikeouts are the third most in the Texas League.
Left-hander Mike Montgomery (3-1, 2.79) will be activated and take the hill for the Naturals on Wednesday, and he will go against left-hander Keith Weiser (8-6, 4.07). Montgomery is making his first start for the Naturals since going on the Disabled List with a forearm injury. He made his last start for the Naturals back on June 15th, where he pitched 3 2/3 innings while giving up one earned run. Weiser, the wins leader for Tulsa this season, is coming off a seven inning shutout performance. He is 1-2 against the Naturals this year.
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.
Texas League Stories from August 3, 2010
- St. Louis Starter Kyle Lohse Coming to Springfield - Springfield Cardinals
- Series Preview: Naturals Host Tulsa - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Hosting Cardinals August 6-9 - Tulsa Drillers
- Santiago, Eigsti Return to Active Roster - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Beltre Blazing A Trail To The Majors - Frisco RoughRiders
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