Late Runs Doom Drillers against Naturals

Originally Published: May 20, 2010 10:11 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

SPRINGDALE, Arkansas – Northwest Arkansas used a late surge to hand the Tulsa Drillers their fifth straight loss 5-2 Thursday.

The Naturals (25-14) started the scoring quickly, with a two-run home run by Mike Moustakas in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. The Drillers (15-24) cut the lead in half with a solo home run by Jason Van Kooten in the third inning, and then tied the game in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Wilin Rosario.

After the rough first inning, Tulsa pitcher Christian Friedrich held the Naturals in check for the rest of his outing. He left after the sixth inning with the score tied at two, having given up only three hits since the opening frame.

Andy Graham entered to replace Friedrich in the seventh, and was doomed by one costly mistake. After giving up a single, Graham attempted to pick off the runner at first base. His throw sailed past the first baseman, and the runner advanced all the way to third on the play. Anthony Seratelli drove the run in with a sacrifice to retake the lead, which the Naturals never gave back.

Al Alburquerque entered in the eighth, and NW Arkansas got two more insurance runs on Moustakas’ second two-run homer of the night. The Drillers went down in order in the ninth to end the game.

Graham (2-1) was credited with his first loss of the season, despite giving up only hit in his inning of work. The run he surrendered was unearned, but turned out to be the game winner. Aaron Crow (2-3) earned the win, giving up two runs on seven hits in seven innings of work. Blaine Hardy came away with the save after closing the door in the final two innings.

The Drillers have now lost five games in a row, but will return to ONEOK Field to host a four-game series against the Springfield Cardinals starting at 7:05 p.m. Friday.