Drillers Pounded By Naturals, 9-3

Originally Published: May 18, 2010 3:28 PM CDT

Dave Carty
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

SPRINGDALE, Arkansas -- Four straight hits and an early 3-0 lead wasn’t explosive enough of a start for the Tulsa Drillers as the team dropped its third-straight to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, 9-3.

It was a fortuitous start for the Drillers, who battered right-hander Eduardo Paulino for three first inning runs. Daniel Mayora began the damage with a leadoff double and was knocked in on a Scott Beerer single.

Before the Naturals could record an out, the Drillers pushed across three runs, two of which scored on a Bronson Sardinha double.

But after that, the Drillers bats were silent.

Tulsa managed seven more hits against three Naturals pitchers, but failed to score another run.

It didn’t take long for the Naturals to jump on Drillers’ starter Greg Reynolds. Northwest Arkansas victimized Reynolds for 9 earned runs on 13 hits in 4.2 innings, including a grand slam by Tim Smith in the fifth inning.

The teams meet again Wednesday at 10 a.m.