TL1 Tulsa Drillers

Two Hits Enough for Oswalt and Drillers

Published on June 5, 2013 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


The Tulsa Drillers had only two hits Tuesday night, but the four runs they produced provided three-time MLB All-Star Roy Oswalt with more than enough run support. The Drillers scored four runs on two hits in the fourth inning and Oswalt pitched seven strong innings as Tulsa defeated the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 5-3 to open a seven-game homestand at ONEOK Field.

With one out in the fourth and Tulsa trailing by one, Dustin Garneau delivered the Drillers' second hit of the inning, a three-run home run into the terrace in left field to turn a one-run deficit into a two-run advantage.

The catcher's third homer of the year would prove to be Tulsa's final hit of the night.

Oswalt recorded his second straight win in three starts since joining the Drillers on May 24. The 35-year old allowed three runs on seven hits, while striking out five and walking none.

"This was as good as the last outing," said Oswalt after the game. "I felt good, I felt strong. I threw the ball where I wanted to."

He went on to say that "the plan was to go eight innings. I was going to go back out (for the eighth), but they said no. The plan was 100 pitches, and I was at 90."

Although Oswalt had a strong night, it got off to a rough start. Brett Eibner led off the game with a triple off the wall in deep center field. Orlando Calixte then followed with a sacrifice fly to right-center, scoring Eibner from third for the game's first run.

Yem Prades' solo home run in the top of the fourth added another run to the Naturals' advantage. The third baseman's sixth homer of the season put Northwest Arkansas in front 2-0, but its lead would be short-lived.

The Drillers began their big fourth inning when Kiel Roling drew a leadoff walk. Kyle Parker followed with a line drive single to left for Tulsa's first hit. After a walk to Kent Matthes loaded the bases, Angelys Nina rolled a soft grounder to second base that plated the Drillers first run as the Naturals were unable to turn a double play. Garneau followed with his blast to left to put Tulsa in front 4-2.

The Drillers increased the margin to two runs in the bottom of the fifth without registering a hit. With one out Cristhian Adames walked, stole second base and moved to third when catcher Mitch Canham's throw ended up in center field. A sacrifice fly from Roling scored Adames to put the Drillers up 5-2.

First baseman Matt Fields pulled the Naturals to within two runs when he led off the sixth inning with his 12th home run of the year. They would get no closer, and Tulsa right fielder Kent Matthes played a critical role.

In the eighth inning, a pair of errors had Calixte at second base with only one out. Fields hit a looping liner down the right field line that looked like it would drop for a possible double, but Matthes made a running catch for the second out. The right fielder then crashed into the wall in foul territory before spinning and throwing a strike to third to retire Calixte attempting to tag up from second. The double play ended the inning

Matthes again used his glove to thwart any idea of a Northwest Arkansas rally in the top of the ninth. First, he raced into the right centerfield gap to haul in a drive from Prades to open the inning. Next, Matthes ranged far to his left to catch a fly ball off the bat of Manny Pina.

Former Naturals reliever Cole White capped of his 1-2-3 inning by getting a grounder off the bat of Rey Navarro to end the game and record his first save of the season.

The two teams will be back in action Wednesday afternoon at ONEOK Field. Tyler Matzek (1-5, 4.70 ERA) will take the mound for the Drillers against Danny Duffy (0-1, 2.70 ERA). Duffy will be making his third rehab start while on rehab assignment from the Kansas City Royals. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05PM.

Check out the Tulsa Drillers Statistics

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Texas League Stories from June 5, 2013


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