SPRINGDALE, AR- The Northwest Arkansas Naturals brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning, but fell 6-3 to the Tulsa Drillers on Wednesday night at Arvest Ballpark. The Naturals will look to avoid being swept in the three game series tomorrow night.

The Tulsa Drillers offense got on the board first in the top of the third inning. Mike Zuanich blasted his third home run of the season over the left field fence to make it a 1-0 game.

Yordano Ventura (0-2) pitched a gem for the Naturals. The right-hander went a Double-A season long seven innings in his third start for the Naturals. Ventura also struck out a season high seven, allowing just two hits and one run.

Brandon Hynick (3-1) was just as good on the mound for the Drillers. The right-hander went seven shutout innings allowing just five hits while striking out two. Tulsa broke the game open with a five-run top of the ninth inning. The inning was capped by a Cesario grand slam that made it a 6-0 contest.

Former Natural, Tim Sexton, surrendered all of the Naturals' runs in the top of the ninth inning. Kevin Kouzmanoff got the offense going with a one-out double, his second of the season. He moved up to third base on a single by Carlo Testa. Mario Lisson followed with a two-out two-run double to bring the Naturals back within four. Christian Colon pinch-hit and reached on an infield single, in his first at bat since returning from the disabled list, moving Lisson to third base. Manny Pina followed with a pinch-hit RBI single to make it a 6-3 contest. The Drillers then summoned Joey Williamson out of the bullpen. Williamson got Yem Prades to pop out to first base to end the game, and earn his first save of the season.

The Naturals will wrap-up their three-game series with the Tulsa Drillers on Wednesday night at 7:05 PM. The Naturals will send left-hander Ryan Dennick (5-4, 5.05) and right-hander Parker Frazier (4-11, 3.80). The game can be heard on ESPN 92.1 The Ticket.