Bullpen Leads Drillers over Naturals
August 22, 2021 - Texas League (TL)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Jacob Amaya drives in one of the Drillers six runs as the Tulsa Drillers top the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 6-4
(Tulsa Drillers, Credit: Rich Crimi)
Tulsa- The Tulsa Drillers relied heavily on their bullpen Sunday afternoon in the series finale with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Tulsa's starting pitcher Landon Knack left the game after only recording two outs, causing the bullpen to be involved earlier than expected. A group of four relievers proved up to the task, and Tulsa's offense provided enough run support to earn a 6-4 win at ONEOK Field.
Los Angeles Dodgers #3 prospect Michael Busch led the offense, going 2-4 with a home run and two runs driven in.
With the victory, the Drillers claimed a series win over the Naturals by taking four of the six games.
The Naturals scored in the opening inning when Vinnie Pasquantino doubled, plating Jeison Guzman from first.
After striking out Meibrys Viloria for the second out of that first inning, Knack departed with an apparent leg issue. Andrew Schwaab came on from the bullpen and got the final out of the inning.
The Drillers answered back in the bottom of the first. Jacob Amaya's walk led off the inning, and Busch followed with a two-run homer for a 2-1 lead.
The Drillers added one more run later in the inning. After a single and a walk, Juan Zabala drove in Tulsa's third run with a single.
The Naturals tied the game in the third. After back-to-back singles to lead off the inning, Pasquantino drove in one with a single.
Centerfielder Devin Mann allowed a second run to score when the hit rolled under his glove, bringing the game to 3-3.
Tulsa scored two in the third to regain the lead. Busch led off with a double, and Miguel Vargas followed with a single. Ryan Noda drove in Busch with his double to deep left center. Vargas then scored on a wild pitch to give the Drillers a 5-3 lead.
Northwest Arkansas got one of the runs back in the top of the sixth, but the Drillers answered in the bottom half of the sixth. They loaded the bases on two singles and a walk before another walk forced in a run to increase the lead to 6-4.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
*Following Knack's departure, Schwaab worked 3.1 innings, allowing two runs but only one earned. Austin Drury followed Schwaab and was charged with one run in 1.2 innings.
*Aaron Oschenbein earned his third win of the season after pitching 2.1 scoreless innings. Zach Willeman collected his third save with a scoreless ninth inning.
*Noda had a solid day at the plate, going 2-3 with an RBI and a walk.
*The Drillers finished their twelve-game homestand with a winning 7-5 record.
*Tulsa concluded its season series with the Naturals with a 15-9 record.
UP NEXT
The final installment of the Coors Light Propeller Series begins when Tulsa takes on the Wichita Wind Surge Tuesday, August 24 at 7:05 PM at Wichita's new Riverfront Stadium.
The series is currently tied 12-12.
Neither starting pitchers has been announced.
Watch or listen live on MiLB.tv or AM 1430 The Buzz on the iHeartRadio app.
Images from this story
 Jacob Amaya drives in one of the Drillers six runs as the Tulsa Drillers top the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 6-4 (Rich Crimi) |
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