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TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Tulsa Rallies Late for Series Finale Win

April 24, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, Ark. - The Tulsa Drillers (5-11) rallied for five runs in the top of the ninth for a 8-6 come-from-behind victory over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (6-10) on Sunday afternoon in front of a crowd of 5,769 at Arvest Ballpark.

Trailing 4-3 entering the ninth, the Drillers offense came alive to salvage the series finale as they used three singles, a double, and three walks to put up five runs against the Northwest Arkansas bullpen to take the series finale. Tyler Ogle and Drew Maggi delivered RBI singles while Alex Verdugo dealt a blow to the Naturals hopes with a three-run double to make it 8-4. Northwest Arkansas rallied for two runs of their own in the bottom half of the frame but it was not enough as they fell 8-6.

The game started as a pitcher's duel between Alec Mills (1-1, 2.35 ERA) of the Naturals and Brock Stewart (0-0, 0.82 ERA) of the Drillers. Neither pitcher would end up factoring into the decision but both gave their respective teams solid outings as they each worked 6.0 strong innings. Mills scattered seven hits, allowed three runs (two earned) and struck out two while his counterpart was equally effective giving up only six hits, one run while striking out five on the day.

The Naturals pushed the first run across in the bottom of the second behind a single by Orlando Calixte and some aggressive base-running. Calixte immediately stole second and advanced to third on a ground out by Zane Evans. A batter later, he would score on a RBI sac fly by Carlos Garcia. The stolen base gives Calixte nine on the season, which is good for the most in the Texas League and gives him a slight advantage over teammates Raul Mondesi (8) and Ramon Torres (7) in the rankings.

After four scoreless innings, the Drillers offense would get to Mills in the fifth for a pair of runs. Brandon Trinkwon had a RBI single and then scored on a RBI groundout by Drew Maggi. Tulsa would then extend their lead in the top of the seventh with another run off Mills as Willie Calhoun led off with a double and then Ogle delivered a RBI double to make it a 3-1 game. The lead would not last as Northwest Arkansas would respond with three runs in the home half of the frame. Logan Moon and Torres singled before advancing to second and third on a wild pitch. Bubba Starling then delivered the first run with a RBI single and Hunter Dozier, the team-leader in RBI, followed with a two-run double to give the Naturals a 4-3 lead.

Northwest Arkansas claimed the four game series by the tally of three games to one. Bubba Starling paced the offense by going 3-for-4 with two doubles, a RBI, and two runs scored while Torres, Calixte, and Frank Scwhindel all had multi-hit games.

Northwest Arkansas will hit the road as they begin an eight game road trip tomorrow night in Springfield against the Double-A St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals will send RHP Trey Nielsen (1-2, 6.43 ERA) to the mound in Game 1 of the four game series while the Naturals will counter with LHP Matt Strahm (0-1, 2.93 ERA). You can catch the live play-by-play action with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on your home for Naturals baseball on KQSM 92.1 the Ticket at 6:15 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch at 6:30 p.m. from Hammons Field in Springfield, Missouri.

Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Twitter @NWANaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime and #CrowntoCrown for all of our up-to-date information on the Season Nine of Naturals Baseball, tickets, groups, promotions, roster, season standings, player statistics, and updates on Naturals alumni.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark. For more information, including statistics, ticket options, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.

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Texas League Stories from April 24, 2016


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