Anderson's 11th Inning Pinch Hit Gives Drillers Walk-Off Win
May 11, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Tulsa Drillers Pitcher Brock Stewart
(Tulsa Drillers, Credit: Rich Crimi)
Lars Anderson was scheduled for a day off on Wednesday afternoon as the Tulsa Drillers opened a four-game series with the Arkansas Travelers at ONEOK Field. But Anderson ended up with one at-bat, and he made it a successful one. He singled with one out in the bottom of the 11th inning to score Cody Bellinger with the winning run as Tulsa posted a 4-3 walk-off win over the Travelers.
The heroics were needed after the Drillers failed to hold a late, three-run lead. Bellinger began the walk-off rally with a one-out base hit. Jacob Scavuzzo made it two straight hits when he lined a double over the head of left fielder Bo Way, putting runners at second and third.
Tulsa manger Ryan Garko originally called on Tyler Ogle to pinch hit, but when the Travelers turned to right-hander Alan Busenitz from the bullpen, Garko summoned Anderson. The decision worked as Anderson bounced a 2-0 pitch just out of the reach of second baseman Alex Yarbrough, allowing Bellinger to trot home with the winning run.
The game-winning hit gave the Drillers their third win in their past four games.
For most of the contest, Tulsa seemed on its way to a routine victory thanks to some early offense and an outstanding outing from starting pitcher Brock Stewart.
The Drillers started quickly with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, Willie Calhoun singled and scored when Kyle Farmer followed with a double. After Alex Verdugo flied out, Bellinger brought Farmer home with a two-out double to make it 2-0.
It remained that way until the Drillers added a third run in the seventh. With two outs, Devan Ahart doubled and scored on a base hit by Drew Maggi.
Arkansas erased Tulsa's 3-0 lead with a three-run rally in the top off the eighth. Cal Towey greeted reliever Jordan Schafer with a leadoff double. After a strikeout and a groundout, Anthony Phillips singled home Towey for the Travs first run.
The key play of the inning then occurred. Bo Way hit a soft, two-hopper that went through first baseman Bellinger's legs for an error that prolonged the inning. After a stolen base, Yarbrough delivered a two-run single that tied the game at 3-3, setting up Anderson's big pinch-hit over an hour later.
The Travs late rally ruined an impressive outing from Stewart. A strong start to the season for Stewart got even better Thursday in what was his fifth outing of the year for the Drillers. The right-hander was dominant, allowing only one hit in seven shutout innings.
He departed with Tulsa holding its 3-0 lead and was in line for the victory. The 6th round draft pick out of Illinois State in 2014, began the year at Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, going 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA in two starts for the Quakes. Thursday's shutout performance lowered his ERA to 1.20 in his five starts with the Drillers.
Reliever Ralston Cash ended up with the win, improving his record to 2-1 with two shutout innings of work.
Tulsa out-hit Arkansas 13-5 in the game. Scavuzzo led the way with three hits, while Maggi, Bellinger and Farmer picked up two each.
The single from Anderson was only the second hit for a Tulsa pinch hitter this season.
The Drillers will continue their series with the Travelers Thursday night at ONEOK Field. Tulsa has not announced a starting pitcher for the game, while Arkansas will send Tyler Carpenter (0-1, 4.76 ERA) to the mound. Starting time is scheduled for 7:05PM.
Images from this story
 Tulsa Drillers Pitcher Brock Stewart (Rich Crimi) |
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