Travs Edge Drillers 3-2
July 29, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The Tulsa Drillers got a strong start on the mound from Seth Frankoff Friday night, but the Arkansas Travelers got a stronger one from their ace Jordan Kipper. Kipper allowed only one run before turning the game over to the bullpen as the Travelers defeated the Drillers 3-2 at ONEOK Field. The loss dropped Tulsa two games behind the first-place Travs in the North Division standings of the Texas League.
The offense was limited in Friday's matchup, but each team scored a run in the third inning to open the game's scoring. In the top of the third, Anthony Phillips drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and to third on a passed ball. He would score on a two-out infield hit by Andrew Daniel that gave the Travelers a 1-0 lead.
The Drillers matched the Travs with a run in the bottom half of the third. Kyle Garlick singled to open the inning and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Willie Calhoun.
Arkansas went back in front to stay with another run in the fifth when Phillips led off with a double and scored on a base hit from Tim Arakawa.
The Travelers extended their lead to 3-1 in the sixth, thanks to Eric Aguilera. The Arkansas first baseman greeted reliever Yimi Garcia with his 12th home run of the season to lead off the inning. The run would prove to be the difference in the game.
Garlick closed out the scoring in the bottom of the ninth. With two outs and the bases empty, the right fielder belted his sixth home run of the year onto the right field berm to pull the Drillers to within 3-2. But, they would get no closer. On the next pitch, Keynan Middleton retired Edwin Rios on a line out to the centerfielder to end the game.
The three runs from the Travelers was enough offense for Kipper. The Arkansas right-hander limited the Drillers to only the one run on three hits in 6.1 innings. He walked two and struck out five. The victory improved Kipper's record to 10-5, leaving him only one win behind Tulsa's Chase De Jong for the most in the Texas League.
Frankoff was making only his third start at any level this season, and he pitched effectively. In five innings, he was charged with two runs, only one earned, on four hits. His Double-A record fell to 0-2 despite lowering his season ERA to 2.28.
Garlick provided the Tulsa offense. He finished with three of the team's five hits and scored both runs.
The Drillers and Travelers will continue their series Saturday night at ONEOK Field. The pitching matchup will feature Tim Shibuya (1-6, 3.88 ERA) against Victor Alcantara (3-7, 4.80 ERA) as the Drillers look to snap a two-game losing streak. Starting time in Tulsa is scheduled for 7:05PM.
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Texas League Stories from July 29, 2016
- Newest Hook the Difference - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Riders Surge Early, But Missions Take Game Two - Frisco RoughRiders
- Kipper & the Travs Keep Rolling in Tulsa - Arkansas Travelers
- Travs Edge Drillers 3-2 - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Nipped in Springfield, 5-4 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Bunt of the Year - Midland RockHounds
- Four-Run Fourth Carries Riders Back to Win Column - Frisco RoughRiders
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