TULSA WALKS OFF IN SERIES OPENER, 6-5

TULSA, Okla.-- The Tulsa Drillers (68-66/29/34) used a walk-off single by Delta Cleary Jr. in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (52-82/27-37) by a final score of 6-5 on Tuesday night from ONEOK Field. RHP Matt Murray tossed 7.1 allowing four runs on eight hits and struck out five in the effort.

The Naturals cracked the scoreboard first using a sacrifice fly by Brian Fletcher in the first inning to score Lane Adams. But the Drillers responded with four straight hits that yielded three runs in the home half to take the lead. Murray settled down after.

The right-hander retired the next eight in a row and did not allow a run until the eighth inning. Meanwhile the Naturals offense supported his effort scoring two runs in the top of the second on a Juan Graterol two-run double to tie the game at three.

Graterol smoked his fourth home run of the season to lead off the seventh inning to give the Naturals a 4-3 lead. Parker Morin, the next batter, followed suit and roped a solo home run around the rightfield foul pole to extend the advantage.

The Drillers scored two runs including Cleary Jr.'s walk-off single off LHP Brandon Finnegan (0-3, 2.45) in the bottom of the ninth to win, 6-5.

Jorge Bonifacio finished the night 3-for-4 with his 20th double of the season. The 21-year old Dominican-born outfielder is 17-of-37 over his last 10 games for a .459 batting average. Bonifacio has multi-hits in five of the 10 games.

Graterol wrapped up his night 2-for-3 with three runs batted in while Morin finished 2-for-4 with a single in the fourth.

The Naturals have not announced a starter for game two of the series as RHP Eddie Bulter (5-9, 3.53) will take the ball for the Drillers. Butler has made six starts since returning from Colorado and is just 1-5, 5.40.

Tune in to 92.1-FM the Ticket and join the "Voice of the Naturals," Benjamin Kelly, with a 6:50p.m. Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch from ONEOK Field.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark. For more information including statistics, ticket options, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.

-Naturals-