Springdale, AR -
Tim Wheeler had three hits from his leadoff position, but the Tulsa Drillers couldn't capitalize, losing for the ninth time in 12 outings, 4-0 Wednesday afternoon at Northwest Arkansas.
The Naturals scored the only run they'd need in the bottom of the first inning when Derrick Robinson singled, moved to second on an error, to third on a single and scored on Tim Smith's two-out ground out.
Tulsa had a scoring opportunity in the fourth when Wheeler and Thomas Field led off with back-to-back singles and each were moved over on a Ben Paulsen sacrifice bunt. But, Wilin Rosario and Scott Beerer each struck out to end the threat.
Northwest Arkansas would add two more runs in the bottom of the frame on Jamie Romak's eighth home run of the season.
The Drillers had a runner at third in the fifth, sixth and eighth innings as well, but couldn't get the run across.
Christian Friedrich took the loss for Tulsa, allowing three runs, two earned, on nine hits in five and a third innings to slip to 4-and-5.
The loss pushes Tulsa to three games back of Arkansas in the Texas League North Division. Arkansas plays at home tonight against the Springfield Cardinals, who have lost four straight.
