The Northwest Arkansas Naturals’ troubles at the plate followed them to Tulsa on Wednesday night.
Tulsa held Northwest Arkansas to two hits as the Drillers defeated the Naturals 7-0 in the opening game of a four game series at ONEOK Field.
The Naturals (2-11) were shut out for the second time in three games and extended their losing streak to 10 games. Northwest Arkansas’ last victory was April 5, when it defeated Frisco 3-2 in Texas.
Tulsa (6-7) didn’t have any problems at the plate as the Drillers pounded out 11 hits against three Northwest Arkansas pitchers. Lead off man Taylor Featherston gave the Naturals fits all night, going 4 for 4 with 2 doubles, 2 runs scored and 1 RBI. Harold Riggins turned in a big night as well, going 3 for 4 with 1 home run and 1 double while driving in 3 and scoring 1 run.
Northwest Arkansas didn’t help itself in the field, either. The Naturals committed four errors in the game, including two throwing errors and a passed ball by catcher Parker Morin. First baseman Mark Threlkeld and third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert also had throwing errors.
The Drillers scored the only run they needed in the first inning. Featherston led off with a double to left field against Naturals starter Sam Selman and came home when the next batter, Joey Wong, singled to left field.
Tulsa added single runs in the third and fourth innings to make it 3-0.
Tim Smalling led off the third with a walk, then stole second and advanced to third on Morin’s throwing error. Featherston followed with a single to right field to drive in Smalling.
Ryan Casteel started things in the fourth inning with another walk and advanced to second on Morin’s passed ball. Brian Humphries moved Casteel to third with a sacrifice bunt, and Harold Riggins drove him in with sharp single to left field.
It remained 3-0 until the bottom of the seventh, when Tulsa added two more runs. Smalling scored when Wong reached on a force attempt, and Dustin Garneau had an RBI single that drove in Featherston for a 5-0 lead.
Riggins capped the Drillers’ scoring in the eighth inning with his two-run home run to right field that drove in Brian Humphries.
Jon Gray (1-1), the No. 1 prospect in the Colorado Rockies organization according to Baseball America, earned the victory. He allowed both of Northwest Arkansas’ hits while striking out 5 and walking 2 in 5 2/3 innings. Ryan Arrowhead allowed no hits in 21/3 innings, and Cole White pitched the final inning.
Selman (0-1), the No. 12 prospect in the Kansas City Royals organization, gave up 3 runs, all earned, on 6 hits while striking out 1 and walking 3 in 4 2/3 innings. Cody Fassold allowed 2 runs, 1 earned on 3 hits in 2 1/3 innings before Angel Baez closed out the game by allowing 2 runs, both earned, on 2 hits in 1 inning.
Lane Adams went 1 for 3 with a double for Northwest Arkansas, and Jared Schlehuber was 1 for 4.
Tonight’s games
NW ARKANSAS AT TULSA WHEN 7:05 p.m. Central WHERE ONEOK Field, Tulsa RADIO KQSM 92.1 in Northwest Arkansas WEBSITE nwanaturals.com
PITCHERS Naturals: Andy Ferguson (RHP, 0-0, 6.75 ERA). Drillers: Tyler Anderson (LHP, 1-0, 0.82 ERA)
LOOKING AHEAD TODAY at Tulsa, 7:05 p.m.
FRIDAY at Tulsa, 7:05 p.m.
SATURDAY at Tulsa, 7:05 p.m.
SUNDAY Off
ARKANSAS AT SPRINGFIELD WHEN 7:10 p.m. Central WHERE Hammons Field, Springfield, Mo. RADIO KARN-AM, 920, in central Arkansas WEBSITE travs.com
PITCHERS Travelers: Drew Rucinski (RHP, 2-0, 1.80 ERA); Cardinals: Seth Blair (RHP, 1-0, 4.22) SHORT HOPS Pitchers Mike Morin and Michael Brady were promoted to Class AAA Salt Lake on Wednesday. The Travelers received pitcher David Carpenter from Salt Lake.
LOOKING AHEAD TODAY at Springfield, 7:10 p.m.
FRIDAY at Springfield, 7:10 p.m.
SATURDAY at Springfield, 6:10 p.m.
SUNDAY at Springfield, 4:10 p.m.
WEDNESDAY’S GAME Tulsa 7, NW Arkansas 0
TODAY’S GAMES All times Central San Antonio at Midland, 7 p.m.
Corpus Christi at Frisco, 7:05 p.m.
NW Arkansas at Tulsa, 7:05 p.m.
Arkansas at Springfield, 7:10 p.m.
Sports, Pages 19 on 04/17/2014