Tulsa Completes 4-Game Sweep of Naturals
Published on June 13, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
In search of a four-game sweep of Northwest Arkansas, the Tulsa Drillers came out swinging Wednesday afternoon. The Drillers scored four first-inning runs and never trailed in a 5-2 victory over the Naturals at ONEOK Field.
The sweep moves Tulsa three games in front of Northwest Arkansas in the North Division standings of the Texas League and 2 1/2 games in front of Springfield, pending the outcome of the Cardinals game with Arkansas Wednesday evening. The Drillers have only six games remaining in the first half that ends on June 19.
It was the second sweep this season between the two teams. The Naturals swept a four-game series from the Drillers at ONEOK Field in the middle of May.
It was also the second straight big offensive game for the Drillers. They totaled 14 hits in the victory, two more than they had in the win the previous night. In the two victories, they compiled a .377 team batting average.
Angelys Nina backhands a ground ball in Wednesday's game to help complete the four game sweep of Northwest Arkansas. (Rich Crimi)
The big first inning Wednesday came against Cuban defector Noel Arguelles and started with a pair of singles from Josh Rutledge and Angelys Nina. Nolan Arenado plated the game's first run with a sacrifice fly that scored Rutledge.
After Kiel Roling drew a walk, Corey Dickerson made it 3-0 with a triple into the right field corner. Kent Matthes capped the big inning with a run-scoring single that increased the Tulsa lead to four runs.
The Naturals were able to cut their deficit in half with single runs in both the second and third innings off Drillers starting pitcher Joe Gardner. In the second Johnny Whittleman walked, advanced to third on a double by Mario Lisson and scored on a sacrifice fly by Rey Navarro. Julio Rodriguez singled and scored in the third to cut the lead to 4-2.
Northwest Arkansas threatened again in the fifth when the inning started with a double by Yem Prades and a walk to Paulo Orlando. With runners at first and second and no outs, Tulsa called on Cory Riordan from the bullpen. The right-hander got a fly out before Whittleman singled to load the bases. Riordan escaped the jam and kept the lead at two runs by striking out both Lisson and Navarro.
Ben Paulsen got one of the runs back with a solo homer into the Naturals' bullpen in right field to lead off the sixth inning. For Paulsen, it was his fifth home run of the season but his first since May 3.
The Drillers restored their four-run lead in the seventh on a run-scoring hit by Tim Torres.
Because Gardner did not pitch the required five innings, Riordan picked up the win to improve his record to 3-1. He was outstanding in his three relief innings, retiring nine of the ten batters he faced, including the final seven in a row.
Josh Sullivan and Coty Woods each worked a scoreless inning to finish the game.
The Drillers big offensive day included a second straight three-hit game by Josh Rutledge. The infielder is 8-15 in his last three games.
Angelys Nina also continued his hot hitting, going 2-5. Nina has now hit safely in 9 of his last 10 games, compiling a .372 average during the stretch.
In addition, newcomer Corey Dickerson and catcher Jose Gonzalez each collected two hits in the game.
The sweep gave the Drillers a 5-3 mark in the eight-game homestand. They now travel to North Little Rock for a four-game series with Arkansas. In the opening game Thursday night, Tulsa's Dan Houston (6-5, 3.25 ERA) will take the mound against Mike Piazza (1-1, 3.00 ERA) who will be making his first start of the year for the Travelers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:08PM at Dickey-Stephens Park.
Texas League Stories from June 13, 2012
- Haerther Goes Yard Twice; Drives in Four in Travs' 6-1 Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Cardinals Fall to Travs 6-1 - Springfield Cardinals
- Game Notes, June 13 vs. San Antonio - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Tulsa Completes 4-Game Sweep of Naturals - Tulsa Drillers
- Drillers Sweep Naturals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Frisco Splits Series with Midland After 10-2 Loss - Frisco RoughRiders
- Frisco Splits Series with Midland After 5-2 Loss - Frisco RoughRiders
- Arvest Ballpark Ranked as Best in League - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- 'Riders Win Marathon in Oswalt Cameo - Frisco RoughRiders
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