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TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Tulsa thumps Naturals in Drillers' Stadium finale

September 7, 2009 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


TULSA, OK - One day after being eliminated from post-season contention, the Tulsa Drillers poured on the offense Monday night in a 18-4 rout of the Naturals in the final game at Drillers Stadium. Next season, the Drillers open their new downtown stadium, ONEOK Field, the latest new ballpark to join the Texas League.

The offense clicked early and clicked often for the Drillers Monday. Rehabbing Rockies' outfielder Dexter Fowler, who starred in the league one year ago, scored the game's first run on a wild pitch from Naturals' starter Jason Godin in the first. The Drillers got two more in the second on a two-run double from Fowler, and poured it on with seven in the third to open a 10-1 lead.

Jose Duarte's leadoff homer in the top of the third got the Naturals on the board, but the offense never got untracked as Northwest Arkansas looked ahead to its upcoming date with the Springfield Cardinals in the Texas League North Division series, resting starter Anthony Lerew, veteran catcher Vance Wilson, and a couple of other players.

Jeff Howell's RBI double in the fourth brought in Jeff Bianchi, but six more runs came across for the Drillers in the bottom of the frame to make it a 16-2 ballgame.

A solo shot in the seventh by Bianchi and an RBI single in the ninth by Kurt Mertins represented the other two runs for the Naturals. Bianchi went 3-for-4, raising his Texas League average to .315.

Jason Godin (0-2) took the loss for the Naturals, allowing ten runs (eight earned) in 2 1/3 innings. Ben Swaggerty and Juan Abreu were responsible for the other eight runs before first baseman Corey Smith pitched a scoreless eighth, allowing two walks but no hits. Smith became the second position player to pitch for the Naturals this season after Cody Clark made two scoreless appearances earlier in the year.

Tulsa designated hitter Ryan Harvey was the primary source for Drillers' offense, with two homers and six RBI. Catcher Mike McKenry also had four RBI and Dexter Fowler had four hits and three RBI. Three different Drillers including Fowler crossed the plate three times. Ninth-place hitter Danny Sandoval also had four hits as Tulsa (36-34, 74-66) amassed 22 hits on the evening.

Reliever Shane Lindsay (3-1) got the win for Tulsa as starter Brandon Durden allowed just one run, but left after the third inning.

Northwest Arkansas finished the second half with a 37-33 record and a 73-67 record overall for the season. The Naturals won 75 games in their inaugural season in 2008.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics



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