SIX-RUN THIRD INNING POWER NATURALS TO SECOND STRAIGHT WIN OVER DRILLERS

Naturals score six runs in third inning, Sikkema strikes out four in Double-A debut.

(Photo: Kelsey Chanler/NWA Naturals)

By Naturals PR Department

August 3, 2022

SPRINGDALE, AR – Six runs in the third inning were all the Northwest Arkansas Naturals needed, in a 6-4 win over the Tulsa Drillers Wednesday night, the second straight win to open the series. After putting a pair of runners on but leaving them stranded in the second inning against

SPRINGDALE, AR – Six runs in the third inning were all the Northwest Arkansas Naturals needed, in a 6-4 win over the Tulsa Drillers Wednesday night, the second straight win to open the series.

After putting a pair of runners on but leaving them stranded in the second inning against Tulsa’s Bobby Miller, Northwest Arkansas quickly got to the Dodgers’ No. 2 prospect in the third inning.

Tucker Bradley reached on an error to open the inning, then Nick Loftin singled and Tyler Gentry crushed a three-run homer to right field, his 10th of the year with the Naturals and 15th overall in 2022.After a strikeout, John Rave walked, stole second and scored on a Logan Porter single, then CJ Alexander crushed a two-run homer, his first at Arvest Ballpark and second this year with the Naturals.

After the six-run frame, the Naturals did not add any more runs to the scoreboard over the final five innings of at-bats, drawing four walks with three more hits but were otherwise silenced by Tulsa’s bullpen.

Starting pitcher T.J. Sikkema made his Double-A debut and Royals organization debut, pitching into the fifth inning, with four strikeouts over 4.1 frames on just 59 pitches. Sikkema cruised through his first four innings, working around a walk and single to retire at one point nine straight.

Stephen Woods Jr. followed Sikkema, taking over on the mound in the fifth and allowed a pair of inherited runners to score that were charged to Sikkema, but retired the final five he faced for 1.2 scoreless innings in the box score.

After Woods Jr., Asa Lacy took the mound and pitched 2.0 innings for the third straight outing, allowing a pair of runs on a two-run homer in the eighth, but struck out three including the last two he faced.

In the ninth inning, right-hander Jonah Dipoto earned his third save of the season, walking a pair but striking out two as well to keep the Drillers at bay, despite the go-ahead run coming to the plate.

Northwest Arkansas returns to action Thursday at 7:05 p.m. CT and will attempt to win a third straight game with right-hander Jonathan Bowlan taking the mound.