Drillers Suffer Late Loss Before Record Crowd
July 19, 2014 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
It was nearly a perfect night at ONEOK Field on Saturday. Before the game, the Tulsa Drillers honored their former coach Mike Coolbaugh, who lost his life seven years ago when he was struck by a foul ball while coaching for the team. Mike's three children threw out the game's ceremonial first pitch.
On an unusual 79 degree July night, a paid crowd of 8,076 watched the action in downtown Tulsa, marking the 15th sellout at ONEOK Field this season, the most in franchise history, breaking the record that was set just last year.
For seven innings, the action on the field was just as memorable. The Drillers carried a two-run lead over Arkansas and appeared
OF Tyler Massey made multiple impressive diving and sliding catches in right field Saturday night. (Rich Crimi)
on their way to extending their winning streak to six straight games and to moving into sole possession of first place in the North Division standings of the Texas League.
Unfortunately, the Travelers had other ideas and erased the lead with four runs in the eighth inning and defeated the Drillers 5-2 to snap Tulsa's winning streak at five games. The result instead allowed Arkansas to take over first place, one game in front of the second-place Drillers.
The comeback by the Travs spoiled a magnificent performance from Tulsa starting pitcher Tyler Anderson. The lefthander allowed only two hits in six shutout innings while walking two and striking out six. Despite the no decision, he lowered his ERA to 2.40.
Tulsa newcomers Trevor Story and Chris O'Dowd combined to give Anderson a lead in the bottom of the second inning. Story led off with a double and advanced to third on Jayson Langfels' fly out to deep right field. O'Dowd then dropped a soft liner over the head of third baseman Brian Hernandez for a base hit that put the Drillers in front 1-0.
It remained that way until the fifth when Tulsa doubled the margin. Delta Cleary Jr. doubled to lead off the inning and then scored on a two-out base hit from Ryan Casteel. Casteel was playing in his first game since suffering a fractured bone in his face on July 11.
The lead held until the Travelers erupted in the eighth inning. The fateful inning began when reliever Nelson Gonzalez issued a leadoff walk to Maikol Gonzalez. Alex Yarbrough singled to put runners at first and third.
Nate Striz was summoned from the Tulsa bullpen, and Hernandez greeted him with a sharp grounder that took a bad hop past third baseman Langfels. The double plated Maikol Gonzalez to cut Tulsa's lead to 2-1.
Mike Bianucci drilled the next pitch to the fence in left-center field, bringing home both runners to give the Travelers the lead. A two-out hit from catcher Jett Bandy then scored Bianucci to give Arkansas a 4-2 lead.
The margin swelled to three runs in the ninth when Drew Heid singled and scored on a base hit by Hernandez.
Tulsa made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth, as Cleary Jr. and Tyler Massey opened the inning with consecutive singles, bringing the potential tying run to the plate. But, Arkansas closer Cam Bedrosian, the son of former National League Cy Young Award winner Steve Bedrosian, recovered to strike out the next three batters and end the contest that took 3 hours and 32 minutes to complete.
The frustrating loss continued a tough trend for Anderson. In his last three outings against Arkansas, the Tulsa pitcher has not allowed a run in 16.2 innings pitched. Despite the scoreless performances, he has not received the win in any of the three starts.
The Drillers will wrap up their homestand Sunday night against the Travelers. The pitching matchup will feature Richard Castillo (2-9, 5.20 ERA) and Drew Rucinski (8-4, 2.37 ERA). Rucinski, a former Tulsa Union High School pitcher, made his major league debut with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim ten days ago. Starting time is scheduled for 7:05PM at ONEOK Field.
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Texas League Stories from July 19, 2014
- Travs Rally Late, Pen Dominates for 5-2 Win - Arkansas Travelers
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