The Arkansas Travelers managed only four hits in a 2-1 loss to the Tulsa Drillers on Tuesday night at ONEOK Field in Tulsa.
Arkansas did not have a hit until the sixth inning when Drew Maggi reached on a leadoff single off Tulsa starter Dustin Richardson.
Richardson allowed 1 run on 3 hits in 6 2/3 innings with 5 strikeouts and 2 walks.
Tulsa took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Yadir Drake scored on Travis Witherspoon's groundout and Brandon Dixon came home on Ali Solis' sacrifice bunt.
The Travs cut the lead to 2-1 in the seventh. Brian Hernandez hit a one-out single, advanced to second on a passed ball by Solis and came home on Kentrail Davis' RBI single. But that was all Arkansas could get as Zack Wright flew out to center field to end the inning.
Arkansas had the tying runner on first base in the top of the ninth when Cal Towey was hit by a pitch, but Hernandez hit into a double play and Wade Hinkle grounded out to end the game.
Travs starter Nate Smith (3-2) allowed 2 runs on 5 hits in 6 2/3 innings and struck out 7 while walking 3.
Davis, Maggi, Hernandez and Sherman Johnson each had a hit for the Travs, who were outhit 5-4.
NATURALS 5, CARDINALS 3
Bubba Starling had a two-run home run and a RBI double to help Northwest Arkansas earn its 10th consecutive victory, beating Springfield at Hammons Field in Springfield, Mo.
Starling finished 2 for 4 with 3 RBI.
Naturals starter J.C. Sulbaran (2-2) scattered 6 hits in 6 innings, allowing 1 run and striking out 3. Other than Jacob Wilson's home run in the second inning, Sulbaran did not allow a Cardinals baserunner to reach scoring position.
Mike Bianucci also homered for Northwest Arkansas.
Sports on 05/06/2015