Northwest Arkansas Naturals Nip Tulsa Drillers 3-2 - AA, Texas League

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com - SPRINGDALE, Ark. - It was more of the same for the Tulsa Drillers Monday night - another low-scoring game, another loss for the Drillers.
Northwest Arkansas broke a 2-2 tie with a run in the eighth inning and posted a 3-2 win over Tulsa at Springdale's Arvest Ballpark. It was the fifth straight loss for the Drillers and their tenth in the past eleven games. During their current road trip, the Drillers have lost six of seven games, all by two runs or less.
Tulsa got off to a quick start Monday as Chris Nelson hit his second home run of the season in the top of the first inning for a 1-0 lead.
The Naturals were held scoreless until the fourth inning by Drillers starting pitcher Alan Johnson. Juan Richardson drew a walk to begin the fourth, and Kila Kaaihue followed with a base hit. After a sacrifice bunt by Mario Lisson moved the runners to second and third, Brian McFall tied the game with a sacrifice fly.
Northwest Arkansas took its first lead in the fifth inning as Adam Donachie walked and scored on a single by Angel Sanchez.
The Drillers responded with a run of their own in the top of the sixth. With one out, Jeff Kindel tripled and scored on a single by Daniel Carte.
It remained 2-2 until the bottom of the eighth. Jose Duarte led off with a base hit and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Sanchez. After a walk to Richardson, Adam Bright relieved Johnson on the mound, and before throwing a pitch, Bright nearly picked Richardson off of first base. But, the Naturals designated hitter was ruled safe.
When Bright got back on the mound, Duarte broke for third base and appeared to be thrown out by the Tulsa pitcher, but umpires ruled that time had been called and sent Duarte back to second base.
The call proved to be critical. After Bright struck out Kaaihue, Lisson singled off Ryan Mattheus, allowing Duarte to come home with the tie-breaking run.
Tulsa got the tying run on base in the ninth inning when Jeff Dragicevich drew a leadoff walk. Neil Wilson sacrificed him into scoring position, but Chris Hayes struck out Dexter Fowler and retired Corey Wimberly on a liner to third to end the game.
It was a tough loss for Johnson who worked 7.1 innings for the second straight start. The right-hander allowed the three runs on seven hits and three walks. The loss dropped his record to 1-4.
Reliever Greg Atencio gained the win for the Naturals, surrendering one run in three innings. The save for the side-arming Hayes was his first of the year.
The Drillers will conclude their road trip Tuesday morning in Springdale. Brandon Hynick (1-2, 5.85 ERA) will pitch for Tulsa against Julio Cesar Pimentel (2-2, 3.09 ERA). First pitch at Arvest Ballpark is scheduled for 11:05AM.

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