NATURALS CLAIM FIRST PLACE WITH 8-6 WIN OVER TULSA

TULSA, Okla. - Eight runs in the first four innings and six strong innings from starter, Scott Blewett , were the needed ingredients for the Naturals to concoct an 8-6 win over the Tulsa Drillers on Wednesday night at ONEOK Field. The victory, coupled with an Arkansas Travelers loss at Springfield, vaulted Northwest Arkansas into sole possession of First Place in the North Division Standings for the first time this season.
The bats got going immediately against Tulsa starter, Justin DeFratus (2-3, 5.40). After Nicky Lopez singled home Erick Mejia from third base three batters into the game, with two men on and two outs, Anderson Miller cranked a three-run shot over the right-center wall to push the Naturals early advantage to 4-0.

Donnie Dewees added a solo home run in the second inning, his first of the season and first since July 27, 2017 and Miller stayed hot in third inning. The 23-year old outfield scorched a solo shot down the leftfield line for his second home run of the night and seventh of the season, adding to the Northwest Arkansas advantage of 6-0. The Naturals tacked on two more runs in the fourth inning to take an 8-0 lead.
It marked the first time in Miller's career he's gone yard twice in one game. He finished 2-for-5 on the night and matched his career-high in RBIs with four on the evening. It was the first time he'd recorded four RBIs in a contest since August of 2015.
Blewett (4-4, 5.40) dominated Tulsa (30-35) from the outset. The 22-year old right-hander, worked around two baserunners in the first inning and went on to retired 10 straight batters through the fourth inning before the Drillers scored a run in the fifth. He threw a scoreless sixth inning and went out for the seventh frame and the Drillers finally got to him.
After the Drillers scored four runs in the seventh inning, Walker Sheller entered to toss two innings of shutout relief and Jake Newberry notched his 12^th save of the season.
The series continues tomorrow night with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch with left-hander, Emilio Ogando (4-3, 5.84) on the mound for the Naturals against righ-hander, Andrew Sopko (1-0, 1.50).
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.
-Naturals-