TL1 Tulsa Drillers

Cardinals Strike Early to Beat Drillers

Published on May 7, 2016 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


The first-place Springfield Cardinals scored runs in each of the first four innings Saturday night and snapped a two-game winning streak for the Tulsa Drillers with a 6-4 victory at ONEOK Field. The defeat opened an 8-game homestand for the Drillers and dropped them 5.5 games behind the Cardinals in the North Division standings of the Texas League.

The Redbirds plated single runs in each of the first three innings before scoring three times in the fourth to put the Drillers in a six-run hole they were unable to overcome.

The game started positively for Tulsa starter Chris Anderson, as he retired the first two hitters of the game before issuing a two-out walk to Bruce Caldwell. Luke Voit followed with a double into the left field corner that brought Caldwell home with the game's first run.

In the second inning, Anderson struck the leadoff hitter, Carson Kelly, with a pitch, and Alex Mejia hit the next offering down the right field line for a double. Kelly came home on the hit when right fielder Alex Verdugo's throw went to second base.

The Cardinals' third-inning run was again scored by Caldwell as he drew another walk before eventually scoring on a two-out hit by Kelly.

The three runs in the fourth against Anderson came on three straight two-out hits from Voit, Paul DeJong and Kelly.

The Drillers got on the scoreboard in the fifth with a two-out rally of their own. After retiring the first two batters of the inning, Springfield starting pitcher Trey Nielsen surrendered back-to-back singles to Brandon Trinkwon and Andrew Toles. Kyle Farmer made it three straight hits with a double into shallow left-center field that plated Trinkwon with Tulsa's first run.

The lead was trimmed to 6-2 with another run in the bottom of the sixth. Drew Maggi singled with one out and advanced to third on an error by Caldwell. From there, he scored on a sacrifice fly by Devan Ahart.

Ahart made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth. Pinch-hitter Lars Anderson drew a leadoff walk before Ahart belted his first home run of the season, a line drive into the right field bullpen, to make it a two-run game.

Tulsa would get no closer. Springfield reliever Ronnie Shaban recovered to retire the next three batters to end the game.

Anderson's record fell to 2-2 with the loss. He worked the first four innings and was charged with all six Springfield runs.

The Tulsa bullpen was outstanding in relief of Anderson. Tim Shibuya did not allow a hit in three shutout innings in his ONEOK Field debut, and Caleb Dirks worked a 1-2-3 eighth. Michael Johnson worked a scoreless ninth.

Nielsen improved his record to 3-2 with the win, allowing only one earned run in six innings.

The two teams will be right back in action Sunday afternoon at ONEOK Field. Trevor Oaks (1-1, 2.25 ERA) will pitch for the Drillers against Andrew Morales (3-1, 1.93 ERA) of the Cardinals. Starting time in downtown Tulsa is scheduled for 1:05PM.

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Texas League Stories from May 7, 2016


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