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DRILLERS HALT NATURALS STREAK IN 5-2 LOSS

With another single on June 14, Nicky Lopez is enjoying a 13-game hitting streak. (John Owen)
June 15, 2018

TULSA, Okla. - Northwest Arkansas had the club's three-game winning streak snapped at the hands of the Tulsa Drillers on Thursday night by a 5-2 final score at ONEOK Field. The loss now evens the series at 1-1; but keeps the Naturals in a tie for first place with four

TULSA, Okla. - Northwest Arkansas had the club's three-game winning streak snapped at the hands of the Tulsa Drillers on Thursday night by a 5-2 final score at ONEOK Field. The loss now evens the series at 1-1; but keeps the Naturals in a tie for first place with four games remaining in the first half.
The Naturals (33-33) struck first in the opening inning against starter, Andrew Sopko (2-0, 2.13). After a pair of single by Erick Mejia and Nicky Lopez , clean-up hitter, Elier Hernandez hit a broken bat, slow-roller to shortstop and was thrown out at first base; but Mejia never broke stride and scored from 2nd base.

Tulsa countered with a run in the home half of the first inning against Emilio Ogando and the 1-1 score held through the first three innings.
Alex Liddi broke the tie with his ninth home run of the season in the top of the fourth; but the Drillers struck for three runs in the bottom half and took a lead of 4-2 of which they would not relinquish.
Reliever, Yunior Marte pitched 2.2 innings of shutout relief and struck out four hitters to help keep the Naturals in the game. Right-hander, Pedro Fernandez was saddled with the losing decision after two innings of three-run relief.
The series continues tomorrow night at 7:05 with the Naturals yet to announce a starter. Left-hander, Devin Smeltzer (2-5, 5.49) will toe the slab for Tulsa. Smeltzer is 0-1 in three starts against the Naturals this season with a 15.12 ERA and has allowed three home runs.
Join the Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly, for a 6:45 p.m. pregame show leading up to the 7:05 p.m. first pitch on 92.1-FM, the Ticket.
Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Facebook and Twitter @NWANaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime and #CrowntoCrown for all of our up-to-date information on the 2018 season of Naturals baseball.
 
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.
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