Drillers topple Naturals
Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2008
TULSA - Beginning their eight game road trip, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals dropped a 7-3 decision to the Tulsa Drillers.
The Drillers were able to capitalize on three home runs and nine hits.
The Drillers (14-23 ) wasted little time in putting runs on the board when in the bottom of the first inning, Chris Nelson sent the ball over the left field wall for a two-run homer.
Moments later, the Drillers added another run in the bottom half of the third, before opening up the flood gates in the seventh inning.
The Drillers entered their half of the seventh inning holding onto a 3-2 lead. Justin Nelson reached first base on a lead-off walk and later advanced to third when Jeff Dragicevich singled on a line drive to right field.
Kyle Crist came on in relief of starter Julio Pimentel to face Drillers catcher Neil Wilson. With runners on the corners, Wilson drilled the first pitch he saw over the wall for a three-run homer.
Dexter Fowler followed with a triple and then scored off a sacrifice flyout to center field.
The Drillers ended the inning with a 7-2 lead. They would give up one more run in the eighth inning before securing the win in the top half of the ninth.
With the win, Drillers starting pitcher Brandon Hynick improved to 2-2 this season. Hynick pitched seven innings, striking out two batters while walking one. He allowed two earned runs on eight hits.
The Naturals (19-18 ) tried to dig themselves out of the early 2-0 hole using Brian McFall's seventh home run of the season in the top half of the second inning.
The solo shot not only cleared the fence, but also the street next to the ballpark.
Down 2-1 in the third inning, the Naturals knotted the game after Angel Sanchez scored from third base on a single by Juan Richardson.
Unfortunately for Northwest Arkansas, the Naturals stranded runners on second and third base.
The game was not tied for long when the Drillers added the go-ahead run in the bottom half of the third inning.
The Naturals would score one more time in the eighth inning when Richardson scored off a single by Marc Maddox.
Pimentel (2-3 ) recorded the loss for the Naturals. Pimentel tossed six innings, before being removed after facing two batters in the seventh.
Pimentel allowed five runs on six hits with one strikeout and four walks.
The Naturals continue their road trip at 7 tonight against the Drillers.
FEEDBACK:
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online