Naturals Sweep Drillers

TULSA, OK - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals got a brilliant start from Noel Arguelles on their way to a 2-1 win over the Tulsa Drillers on Thursday night at ONEOK Field. The win completes the sweep of the four-game series, and moves the Naturals within one game of the lead in the North Division.

The Naturals offense got things started early against the Drillers. Yem Prades led off the game with his seventh double of the season and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by shortstop Christian Colon. Sharlon Schoop followed with a single to give the Naturals a 1-0 lead just three hitters into the game.

Jorge De La Rosa, who was making his second start on a major league rehab assignment with the Drillers (24-16), settled down after the first inning. He went four innings in total allowing three hits and one run, while striking out four. Arguelles matched him pitch for pitch going six innings scattering seven hits and allowing just one run.

The lone run allowed by Arguelles (2-3) came in the third inning, when the Drillers Josh Rutledge singled, advanced to second on a balk, and was chased home by a Tim Torres single to tie the game at one.

The Naturals (23-17) retook the lead in the sixth inning stringing together a Johnny Whittleman walk, a Mario Lisson single, and an RBI single from Eric Duncan to make it 2-1. The second run came against Drillers reliever Chris Riordan (2-1) who suffered the hard luck loss. Ethan Hollingsworth worked the last three innings to pick up his first save of the season.

The Naturals travel to North Little Rock to open a four game series with the Arkansas Travelers tomorrow night at 7:05 PM. Justin Marks (2-1, 4.94) against Eddie McKiernan (3-1, 1.46). The game can be heard on News/Talk 1030 AM KFAY.