Tulsa defeats Naturals, avoiding sweep

SPRINGDALE -- The Tulsa Drillers waited until the very last to avoid a four-game sweep on Sunday afternoon.

Tulsa scored five runs in the ninth inning and then held on for an 8-6 win against Northwest Arkansas before a crowd of 5,769 in the final game of the four-game series.

TULSA 8, NORTHWEST ARKANSAS 6

Tulsa (5-11) batted around in the ninth inning, taking advantage of two walks and an error and using three hits to score five runs.

"It's hard to get swept in a four-game series, but we tried," Tulsa Manager Ryan Garko said. "You've got to get out of here with one win."

Northwest Arkansas (6-10) led 4-3 after eight innings, but the bullpen squandered the lead with the go-ahead run scoring on an error before Alex Verdugo delivered a three-run double for a 8-4 lead.

"We've done that a couple of times, giving up a five spot or six spot on the road," Naturals Manager Vance Wilson said. "We got a couple of guys in the bullpen that haven't showed what they're capable of. Once we get them back on track, we have a very solid team. That's frustrating, but on the other hand it's hard to sweep a team in a four-game series."

Tulsa led 3-1 before Northwest Arkansas scored three runs in the seventh inning with Bubba Starling singling home a run followed by a two-run double by Hunter Dozier.

"It's tough to give up a lead and then come back in the ninth," Garko said. "A couple of guys that have been scuffling a little bit had some big hits there. Hopefully, they can use that as a springboard to get some things going."

Dale Thayer, a 35-year-old veteran, earned the win for Tulsa, going the final two innings.

Thayer has thrown 593 1/3 career innings in the minors and has pitched in the Major Leagues each of the last seven seasons with three different teams before joining the Los Angeles Dodgers organization this season.

"Dale made some pitches," Garko said. "We kicked a couple of balls around in the ninth and made it hard on him. He had to get five outs there. He's got a shot to be in L.A. soon. We've got some injuries in Los Angeles, and Dale's a guy we brought in. There wasn't a spot for him Oklahoma, but he's been in the big leagues for a long time. It's nice to have him around."

SHORT HOPS

• The two teams combined for 14 runs on 25 hits in the game, including 7 runs on 7 hits just in just the ninth inning.

• The Naturals stole two bases on Sunday and lead the Texas League with 35 swipes.

• Winning pitcher Dale Thayer signed with the Chicago Cubs in 1999 in the 47th round out of Chico State of California.

On Deck: The Naturals finish off April with six straight road games in as many days, beginning at Springfield on Monday. Lefty Matt Strahm (0-1, 2.93) will start for Northwest Arkansas while Trey Nielson (1-2, 6.43) will be on the mound for Springfield. Strahm has struck out 15 batters in 15 1/3 innings this season. Nielson gave up 10 runs in his first two starts this season but blanked Corpus Christi for five innings in his last start for his first victory.

Tonight's Promotion: Northwest Arkansas opens a four-game road series at Springfield.

On The Air: KQSM-FM 92.1

On The Web: www.nwanaturals.com

Sports on 04/25/2016

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