Drillers Use Familiar Formula to Top Naturals
The Tulsa Drillers used a familiar formula to record a victory over Northwest Arkansas Monday afternoon at ONEOK Field. The Drillers got a pair of home runs and another strong outing from the bullpen in an 8-2 win over the Naturals.The result wrapped up a successful series for the Drillers
The Tulsa Drillers used a familiar formula to record a victory over Northwest Arkansas Monday afternoon at ONEOK Field. The Drillers got a pair of home runs and another strong outing from the bullpen in an 8-2 win over the Naturals.
The result wrapped up a successful series for the Drillers as they claimed four wins in the five-game set with Northwest Arkansas.
The Naturals jumped on top in Monday's game with an unearned run in the top of the third, but the Drillers quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning. Lefthander
After the homer, a walk and an error put runners at the corners, and
Another two-out rally in the fourth gave the Drillers a fourth run.
The Naturals got back on the scoreboard in the fifth, facing reliever
The Drillers again answered with a run in the bottom half of the fifth. D.J. Peters led off with a double and came home on
They used another homer to put the game out of reach in the bottom of the seventh. Raley singled, and Peters was hit by a pitch.
It was more than enough offense for the Tulsa bullpen. A trio of Tulsa relievers combined to limit the Naturals to just three hits and one run over the final six innings.
Things became heated in the bottom of the eighth when Ahmed became the second Driller and the third batter of the game to be hit by a pitch. Home plate umpire Jon Felczak immediately issued warnings to both teams, bringing Naturals manager Mike Rojas out of the third-base dugout. Felczak eventually ejected Rojas from the game.
WHAT YOU MISSED
The Drillers announced a player move just prior to game time.
Yadier Alvarez made his fourth start of the season on the mound for the Drillers and did not allow an earned run in three innings, but he again struggled with his command. Alvarez, who is ranked as the third-best pitching prospect in the LA Dodgers farm system, did not allow a hit on Monday, but he walked six batters. For the season, the right-hander has now issued 14 walks in just 13.1 innings.
Diaz finished 2-4 and raised his average to .412.
Tulsa has now hit 38 home runs in just 23 games this season, a pace that would break last season's record of 168 homers.
Newcomer
Shea Spitzbarth and
UP NEXT
The Drillers will open a four-game series with Arkansas Tuesday night at ONEOK Field. Starting time for the opener is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. in downtown Tulsa. The starting pitchers are scheduled to be:
ARK RHP
TUL RHP