Drillers' Rally Falls Short Against NW Arkansas

The Naturals jumped out to a 3-0 lead on the Drillers Thursday night and held on for the 5-3 win. 

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth when Jorge Bonifacio's single chased home Chesler Cuthbert to put the Naturals up 1-0.  It was Cuthbert's turn to do damage in the bottom of the fifth as his double knocked in two to put NW Arkansas up 3-0. 

Tulsa (52-57) battled back in the top of the sixth when Kyle Parker singled home two to cut the Naturals' lead to 3-2.  Further damage was avoided as Delta Cleary was thrown out at third on the play to end the inning. 

The Naturals (47-64) didn't waste much time in extendeding their lead.  Two batters into the bottom of the seventh, Mitch Canham doubled home Angel Franco to make it 4-2, and Canham came home on a wild pitch later in the inning to make it 5-2.  

With two outs in the ninth and Tulsa down to it's last at-bat, Dustin Garneau launched a solo shot to cut the lead to 5-3 and keep the Drillers alive.  It was short-lived though as Angelys Nina's groundout ended the ball game one batter later. 

Tim Gustafson took the loss for Tulsa, allowing three runs (one earned) in five innings.  Jason Adams pitched six innings, allowing two runs (none earned) to earn the win for NW Arkansas.