Drillers use Big Inning to Continue Winning Ways
Springdale, AR – The Tulsa Drillers earned their second win over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Wednesday night behind a big nine-run second inning. The nine runs proved to be enough for the Drillers as they earned a 9-6 win at Arvest Ballpark. The victory improved Tulsa’s record to 6-2 on
Springdale, AR – The Tulsa Drillers earned their second win over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Wednesday night behind a big nine-run second inning. The nine runs proved to be enough for the Drillers as they earned a 9-6 win at Arvest Ballpark.
The victory improved Tulsa’s record to 6-2 on its two-week road trip and put the Drillers back at a .500 winning percentage against the Naturals this season.
A lead-off walk helped the Naturals score the game's opening run in the bottom of the first.
Tulsa answered with its big second inning, sending 12 hitters to the plate. Josh Stowers drove in four runs in the inning, including the first one with a double. Two singles and a throwing error added the next three runs. The final runs of the inning scored on two home runs from the bats of Diego Cartaya and Stowers.
Luca Tresh plated two more runs for Northwest Arkansas in the third inning with a double off the left-field wall to make the score 9-3.
For the second time in his four starts for the Drillers, pitcher Kendall Williams completed six innings. Williams allowed three runs on three hits and four walks. He earned his second win since joining the club on August 2.
Ryan Sublette followed Williams on the mound and worked a scoreless seventh inning.
Jack Little entered in the eighth inning and allowed two hits, which led to the Naturals fourth run.
They made things even more interesting in the ninth inning by scoring two runs on a hit and two walks against Drillers reliever Carlo Reyes. Braydon Fisher took over for Reyes with two outs and the tying run at the plate. Fisher faced just one batter and induced a pop up to end the game and earn his fourth save.
HIGHLIGHTS & HAPPENINGS
*Williams is now 2-1 with the Drillers. His win was the 17th by a Tulsa starting pitcher this season.
*The nine-run second inning matched the Drillers season high for runs in an single inning.
*Cartaya’s home run was his second in as many nights. He now has 19 long balls for the season.
*Stowers’ home run was his third in his last three games played.
*Tulsa stole four bases in the game.
*Major league pitcher Brad Keller pitched a scoreless fourth inning in a rehab assignment for the Naturals. The right-hander is recovering from right shoulder impingement syndrome.
*Yusniel Diaz recorded two hits to increase his on-base streak to 20 straight games. In August, Diaz is hitting .403 with a 1.192 OPS.
*The Drillers scored at least seven runs in the game, meaning fans can purchase large, one-topping pizzas from Mazzio's on Thursday for just $7 each. The special offer is good throughout the day, but it is only available online at Mazzios.com and when you use the promotion code DRILLERS at checkout.
UP NEXT:
The Drillers and Naturals will play the third game of their six-game series on Thursday night at Arvest Ballpark. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. and the starting pitchers are slated to be:
Tulsa – RHP River Ryan (1-5, 2.89 ERA)
NW Arkansas – RHP William Fleming (1-0, 5.84 ERA)