BIG INNING COSTS NATURALS IN 9-4 LOSS TO DRILLERS

Rave homers and Marsh strikes out seven, but Drillers score seven runs in third inning to blow past Naturals.

Nick Loftin drew a walk and scored the Naturals' first run in Saturday night's 9-4 loss at Tulsa. (Kelsey Chanler/NWA Naturals)

By Naturals PR Department

June 12, 2022

TULSA, OK – A seven-run third inning was too much for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals to overcome Saturday night, as the Tulsa Drillers took the penultimate game of the series, 9-4 at ONEOK Field. Alec Marsh retired six of the first seven he faced and bounced back well after a

TULSA, OK – A seven-run third inning was too much for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals to overcome Saturday night, as the Tulsa Drillers took the penultimate game of the series, 9-4 at ONEOK Field.

Alec Marsh retired six of the first seven he faced and bounced back well after a tough third inning, retiring six straight into the fifth and struck out seven total, taking his fourth loss of the year.

The Naturals came within three runs in the fifth inning, scoring four times in the frame on a Logan Porter RBI single and John Rave three-run homer, his second of the week and fifth long ball this season.

Despite a two-hit night from leadoff hitter Maikel Garcia and pair of hits in the ninth, Northwest Arkansas could not get past Tulsa, as the Drillers added a pair of insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings.

Right-hander Will Klein continued his strong week, facing six batters over the seventh and eighth innings, retiring them all with three strikeouts as well.

The Naturals will try again to win the series, Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. CT as Noah Murdock makes his second start of the week.