Drillers Lose Fourth Straight

Errors prove costly for Tulsa as Drillers fall, 3-2.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:53 am

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Aug 4, 2010 10:13 PM CDT

Oklahoma Sports Staff

SPRINGDALE, Arkansas -- A sloppy game resulted in the Tulsa Driller’s fourth straight loss Wednesday night as they fell to Northwest Arkansas, 3-2.

The Naturals got on the board early due to an error during a stolen base attempt.

Northwest Arkansas’ Nick Van Stratten got picked off at second but allowed Derrick Robinson to score on a botched throw at home plate, putting the Naturals up 1-0.

In the second, Tulsa’s Jason Van Kooten doubled and then came in to score on a wild pitch by Mike Montgomery, tying the game.

The Naturals reclaimed the lead in the fifth on a triple, but Tulsa responded in the seventh as Lars Davis singled to left, scoring Van Kooten again and re-tying the contest at 2-2.

But the Drillers’ sloppy play would resurface, as first baseman Jeff Kindel erred in the bottom of the ninth, allowing the Naturals’ Paulo Orlando to score and end the game.

Rex Brothers was credited with the loss for the Drillers, pitching just a third of an inning to give up the unearned run in the ninth. Henry Barrera got the win for Northwest Arkansas.

The two teams will meet again at 7 p.m. Thursday at Arvest Ballpark.