Drillers Fall in Extra Innings 5-4
September 1, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The Tulsa Drillers rallied from a late deficit Wednesday to send their game against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals into extra innings. But missed chances would prove costly as the Drillers would come up just short, falling 5-4 in 11 innings at Arvest Ballpark.
After dropping the 3 hour and 36 minute affair, the Drillers will now be fighting for their playoff hopes as they wrapped up the night 3 games behind both Northwest Arkansas and Arkansas for the top spot in the Texas League North Division.
Tulsa saw prime scoring chances go to waste to begin the game as the Drillers left the bases loaded in the first inning before stranding two more runners in the second.
But Tulsa starter Seth Frankoff did his part as he kept the Naturals off the scoreboard during the first three innings, allowing his teammates to finally break through at the plate in the fourth.
Kyle Garlick and Edwin Rios began the frame with back-to-back base hits off Northwest Arkansas starter Josh Staumont to get the inning going. Following a strikeout by Joey Curletta, veteran Lars Anderson delivered an RBI double to put Tulsa in front 1-0. Tyler Ogle then struck a big 2-RBI single into left to plate Rios and Anderson and give the Drillers a 3-0 advantage.
That lead would be short-lived however, as the Naturals came storming back in the home half of the fourth.
After Frankoff struck out Mauricio Ramos to begin the inning, the next four Northwest Arkansas batters would reach to load the bases and draw the home team to within 3-1. It looked as if Frankoff might be able to escape further damage when he struck out Carlos Garcia for the second out of the frame, but that was not to be. Humberto Arteaga stepped up to the plate and lined a double past Alex Verdugo in centerfield to knot the game at 3-3.
Both starting pitchers delivered scoreless innings of work in the fifth before the game would be turned over to the bullpens.
Northwest Arkansas struck first in the sixth against Josh Sborz as Alfredo Escalera smacked an RBI single into center to give the Naturals their first lead of the night 4-3. The Naturals threatened to extend their advantage, putting runners on second and third with two outs, but Sborz was able to limit the damage by striking out Ramos to keep the Tulsa deficit at one.
It looked as if the Drillers might have a scoring opportunity in the seventh after Ogle was hit by a pitch and Willie Calhoun singled to right to begin the inning. But the rally would come to an abrupt end as Tim Locastro popped a sacrifice bunt attempt into the air with both runners going, leading to a 3-4-6 triple play.
The Drillers did not let the triple play deflate their spirits however, as they rallied to tie the game in the eighth. Alex Verdugo led off with a double and eventually came around to score on a clutch two-out, RBI single by Curletta to tie the game up at 4-4.
Tulsa had chances to take the lead in the ninth and tenth innings, but was unable to push across any runs in either frame, leading to extra innings.
The Naturals finally brought an end to the extra-inning affair in the bottom of the eleventh as they loaded the bases against Tulsa reliever Scott Griggs with one out. Drillers Manager, Ryan Garko, called on Joe Broussard to try and put out the rally, but Frank Schwindel promptly greeted him by dropping a game-winning single into center to send his teammates into celebration mode with the walk-off victory.
Miguel Almonte got the win for the Naturals with a scoreless inning of relief while Griggs fell to 0-2 on the year for Tulsa.
The Drillers and Naturals will play the third game of their four-game series Thursday night with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM. RHP Andrew Sopko (1-2, 5.76 ERA) will look to keep Tulsa's playoff hopes alive while RHP Ashton Goudeau (5-12, 5.18 ERA) will aim to do the same for his club.
• Discuss this story on the Texas League message board...
Texas League Stories from September 1, 2016
- Miller Time - Midland RockHounds
- Sadzeck Smothers Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Mount Comeback with Eight-Run 8th - Arkansas Travelers
- Sadzeck, Riders Shut out Hooks to Snap Skid - Frisco RoughRiders
- Naturals Fall to Drillers by a 5-1 Final - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Riders Game Notes - 7:05 p.m. vs. Corpus Christi - September 1, 2016 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Rangers to Promote Yohander Mendez to Big Leagues - Frisco RoughRiders
- Positive Vibe - Corpus Christi Hooks
- 2016 Texas League South Division Series - Corpus Christi Hooks
- 'Pyro in the Park' Set for Friday Night at Dickey-Stephens Park - Arkansas Travelers
- Fireworks to Highlight Final 2016 Drillers Homestand - Tulsa Drillers
- Drillers Fall in Extra Innings 5-4 - Tulsa Drillers
- Honors, All-Stars and the Long Ball - Midland RockHounds
- Travs & Cards Split Wednesday Doubleheader - Arkansas Travelers
- Naturals, Schwindel Drop Drillers in Extras - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Thornton Thwarts Riders - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Carroll Strong Again, But Bullpen Touched up in 4-2 Loss - Frisco RoughRiders
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
