Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon
Scores
All Scores Triple-A Scores Double-A Scores High-A Scores Single-A Scores Rookie Scores
Schedule
Complete Game Schedule Triple-A Schedule Double-A Schedule High-A Schedule Single-A Schedule Rookie Schedule Sync Schedules
Teams
Teams by Affiliate Teams by Name Teams by Class Teams by League Ballparks
Watch
Watch Games Subscribe Highlights Prospect Highlights Streaming FAQ Help Center Gameday Audio Podcast Bally Sports Live
Tickets
Tickets
Shop
MiLB Store Auctions Shop Copa Shop Marvel
Standings
Full Season Rookie Leagues Playoffs Playoff Procedures
Stats
Full Season Rookie Leagues Trending Players Top Prospect Stats
News
Pipeline Transactions Copa de la Diversión Baseball Traveler Malmö Oat Milkers MiLB App MiLB Newsletters Sweepstakes & Contests
Prospects
Top 100 Top 30 by Team Top 50 International Draft Top 250 Trending Players
Playoffs
MLB

VILORIA DRIVES IN TWO AS HEASLEY DEALS IN 4-1 WIN OVER DRILLERS

Meibrys Viloria drove in two early runs in the 4-1 win at Tulsa on August 19, 2021. (Alan Jamison)
By Naturals PR Department
August 23, 2021

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals got two runs on the board early from the bat of Meibrys Viloria* and were backed up with a strong six-inning outing from starting pitcher Jonathan Heasley* (6-2) in a 4-1 win over the Tulsa Drillers Thursday night at ONEOK Field. Viloria put the Naturals ahead

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals got two runs on the board early from the bat of Meibrys Viloria and were backed up with a strong six-inning outing from starting pitcher Jonathan Heasley (6-2) in a 4-1 win over the Tulsa Drillers Thursday night at ONEOK Field.

Viloria put the Naturals ahead with two outs in the first inning, hitting back-to-back doubles with Vinnie Pasquantino (MLB Pipeline’s No. 19 Royals’ prospect), doubling home Pasquantino for an early 1-0 lead. He then led off the fourth with a solo home run, his first with the Naturals this season and sixth overall to extend the lead to two runs.

Northwest Arkansas added one more run in the fourth inning, as Seuly Matias scored from third on a Tulsa throwing error. Then in the sixth, Brewer Hicklen scored from third base on an RBI fielder’s choice off the bat of Jimmy Govern that pushed the lead to 4-0.

Four runs of offense was more than enough for Heasley (MLB Pipeline’s No. 15 Royals’ prospect), who finished six innings for the fourth time this season in his 17th start of 2021 for the Naturals. The right-hander struck out five across 6.0 innings of one-run baseball, with the one run not coming until there were two outs in the sixth inning.

That was the first earned run Heasley has allowed in August, ending a streak of 17.2 innings to begin the month without surrendering an earned run.

The bullpen backed up Heasley’s strong performance, as Daniel Tillo pitched two scoreless innings following him and Colin Snider fired off a 1-2-3 ninth inning to earn his third save of the year.

Northwest Arkansas (48-44) looks to even the series with Tulsa (50-43) on Friday at 7:05 p.m. as Ronald Bolaños will start for the Naturals, joining the club to continue his MLB Rehab Assignment.