TEXAS LEAGUE

Bullpen gives up 6 in ninth to Drillers

Northwest Arkansas' bullpen imploded in the top of the ninth inning Tuesday night, allowing six runs as it lost 8-4 to the Tulsa Drillers in front of an announced crowd of 3,752 at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.

The Naturals led 4-2 entering the ninth, but the Drillers sent 12 men to the plate and scored 6 runs on 4 hits and 2 errors.

Naturals reliever Andrew Triggs (4-2) struck out Taylor Featherston, but Triggs' wild pitch allowed Featherston to reach first base. Trevor Story singled and Tyler Massey reached on a fielding error by Naturals second baseman Angel Franco, which allowed Featherston to score to pull Tulsa within 4-3.

Will Swanner walked to load the bases for Chris O'Dowd, who hit the game-tying single to score Story to make it 4-4. After Jared Simon grounded out, Jose Gonzalez hit a two-run single to left field to give the Drillers a 6-4 lead.

Delta Cleary Jr. (Jonesboro) flew out for the second out, but Cristhian Adames singled to extend the Drillers' lead to 7-4. Featherston reached on an error by Naturals shortstop Orlando Calixte, which allowed Gonzalez to score for a 8-4 advantage.

Patrick Morin finished 2 for 4 with 2 RBI to lead Northwest Arkansas. Calixte and Jorge Bonifacio had two hits each.

Chris Capuano, who signed with the Colorado Rockies earlier this month, started for Tulsa and allowed 1 run on 4 hits in 4 2/3 innings. Ken Roberts (6-2) gave up two hits in two innings of relief to earn the victory.

Sports on 07/16/2014

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