TULSA, Okla. — Anderson Miller hit a three-run home run in the first inning, and Nicky Lopez had four hits and scored two runs as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals beat the Tulsa Drillers 8-6 on Wednesday.
The home run by Miller capped a four-run inning and gave the Naturals a 4-0 lead after Lopez hit an RBI single earlier in the inning.
Trailing 8-1, the Drillers cut into the deficit with four runs in the seventh inning, including a single by Drew Jackson that scored Will Smith.
The Drillers saw their comeback attempt come up short after Smith hit a solo home run in the ninth inning to cut the NW Arkansas lead to 8-6.
NW Arkansas starter Scott Blewett (4-4) picked up the win despite allowing five runs and six hits over six innings. Opposing starter Justin DeFratus (2-3) took the loss in the Texas League game after a rough outing in which he allowed eight runs and nine hits over four innings. Jake Newberry recorded his 12th save of the season.
SPRINGFIELD 4, ARKANSAS 3
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Edmundo Sosa hit a three-run double in the seventh inning, leading the Springfield Cardinals to a 4-3 win over the Arkansas Travelers on Wednesday.
Ian McKinney got Beau Amaral to fly out with runners on first and second to end the game for his first save of the season.
The double by Sosa scored Andrew Knizner, Victor Roache, and Chris Chinea to give the Cardinals a 4-1 lead.
In the top of the eighth, Arkansas scored on a sacrifice fly by Chuck Taylor that brought home Braden Bishop. In the following at-bat, Joey Curletta hit a solo home run to cut the Springfield lead to 4-3.
Springfield right-hander Anthony Shew (3-2) picked up a quality start and the win after allowing one run on five hits over seven innings. Opposing starter Nathan Bannister (4-5) took the loss in the Texas League game after allowing four runs and seven hits over 6 1/3 innings.
Curletta homered and singled for the Travelers.