TULSA — The Tulsa Drillers and Northwest Arkansas Naturals each hit two home runs Tuesday night, but it was a walk that decided the opening game of a three-game series at Oneok Field in Tulsa.
A bases-loaded single and a bases-loaded walk helped Tulsa win 7-6.
Eric Hosmer hit a three-run home run — his sixth with the Naturals — to put Northwest Arkansas ahead 6-5 in the eighth inning.
But after missing a chance to add runs in the ninth, the first-place Naturals (19-11 second half) gave up two runs to the North Division’s second-place Drillers (19-12).
After a hit batter, an error and a single loaded the bases, Wilin Rosario hit a RBI single to tie the game. Patrick Keating replaced Henry Barrera (1-1, 1.12 ERA) on the mound and walked the only batter he faced to force in the winning run.
Paulo Orlando doubled in a run in the first inning but Tulsa quickly took a 3-1 lead on Rosario’s RBI single and Jason Van Kooten’s two-run home run.
Charles Blackmon pushed the Tulsa lead to 4-1 with a solo shot in the third.
Anthony Seratelli’s two-run homer got the Naturals with 4-3 in the fifth.
On Deck: The series in Tulsa continues with 7:05 p.m. starts today and Thursday. Eduardo Paulino (7-5, 4.26 ERA) will start for Northwest Arkansas while Tulsa will go with Double-A newcomer Ethan Hollingsworth (0-0, 13.50). Hollingsworth was 7-7 with a 3.35 ERA in 18 starts at Modesto in the Class A-Advanced California League. He allowed 111 hits and 25 walks in 115 2/3 innings while striking out 108. It will be his first start.
The Naturals continue the eight-game road trip with five games in four nights at Springfield. Monday’s game against the Cardinals — in which lefty Everett Teaford had a no-hitter going through 3 2/3 innings — was postponed because of lightning and will be made up as part of a doubleheader at Hammons Field on Sunday.