Tulsa Drops Series Opener to Northwest Arkansas

The Drillers pitching staff gave up nine runs in two innings to allow the Naturals to take the lead.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:53 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa Drops Series Opener to Northwest Arkansas

Originally Published: Aug 3, 2010 11:35 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

SPRINGDALE, Arkansas -- The Tulsa Drillers surrendered two big innings to the Northwest Arkansas Travelers Tuesday to lose 10-6, their third consecutive loss.

Northwest Arkansas’ (65-43) bats exploded in the bottom of the fourth. Back-to-back solo home runs with two runs on the board by Tim Smith and Manuel Pina closed the lead to one run. Four at-bats later with two on, Derrick Robinson homered to right field to tie the game 6-6.

Eric Hosner hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the seventh to break the tie. Unable to retire a batter, the Drillers gave up a two-run single four at-bats later to push the lead to 9-6. Two outs later, Chris McConnell doubled to left field to score Manuel Pina from second.

The Travelers took their lead in the bottom of the first on a wild pitch to bring Derrick Robinson home from third.

A Warren Schaeffer RBI single tied the game for Tulsa (51-56) in the top of the second. Three at-bats later, Anthony Jackson hit two-run infield single to take its only lead of the game. In the next at-bat, Charles Blackmon doubled to right field to score Jackson and push its lead to 4-1. Bronson Sardinha hit a line-drive single to center to bring Blackmon home and extend the lead to four runs.

A Blackmon sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth scored Michael Mitchell from third and gave the Drillers a 6-1 lead.

Rowdy Hardy (4-1) pitched 3.2 innings for Northwest Arkansas in the win, allowing just three hits and striking out two. Tulsa starter Corey Riorden allowed three home runs in his outing but earned a no-decision. Andy Graham (4-3) received a loss for his one-inning outing after allowing four earned runs on three hits.

Tulsa will try to snap its losing streak at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Arvest Ballpark.