DeLuca Delivers Walk-Off Winner to Cap Rally
May 3, 2023 - Texas League (TL)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Tulsa, OK - Jonny DeLuca has been one of Tulsa Drillers most productive hitters this season and that production continued Wednesday afternoon against San Antonio in dramatic fashion. With score tied and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, DeLuca a lined a game-winning single off the left field fence, giving the Drillers a 3-2 walk-off win over the Missions.
It was DeLuca's second big hit in the game as he had homered leading off the sixth inning to account for Tulsa's first run of the game. His ninth-inning hit marked the first lead of the game for the Drillers.
The outfielder finished 3-5 with a single, a double and a homer. He now has three straight three-hit game.
The Missions had taken their first lead in the game with an unearned run in the top of the third. Luis Aviles Jr. opened the inning with a lead-off single and later scored on a two-out throwing error.
DeLuca tied the game with his eighth homer of the season before Brantley Bell put the Missions back in front 2-1 when he led off the top of the eighth with a home run.
The Drillers staged their last inning rally against reliever Nick Hernandez. With one out, Eddys Leonard reached base on an infield single. From there, Hernandez developed control issues and helped the Drillers to tie the game by issuing three straight walks that forced home a run.
Luke Bachar took over for Hernandez and threw a first pitch ball before DeLuca lined his second pitch off the wall for the game winner.
It was Tulsa's second walk-off win of the season.
HIGHLIGHTS AND HAPPENINGS:
*Both starting pitchers had strong outings. Tulsa's Nick Nastrini allowed just one hit and the unearned run in five complete innings.
San Antonio's Duncan Snider surrendered one run in his five innings of work. DeLuca's homer was one of only three hits he allowed.
*Nastrini appeared to be struck on the right forearm in the fifth inning on a liner off the bat of Bell. The liner caromed to the shortstop and turned into an out. After a quick visit from athletic trainer Jesse Guffey, Nastrini remained in the game and completed the fifth inning before being replaced to open the sixth.
*River Ryan followed Nastrini to the mound in what was his first relief appearance of the season. Ryan gave up just one hit, Bell's homer, three innings of work.
*Tanner Dodson worked a scoreless ninth inning and was credited with his team-leading third win of the season.
*DeLuca finished 3-5 with a single, a double and a home run. He has now record three hits in three straight games
*Eight of the Drillers last 11 games have been decided by one run. They are 4-4 in those eight games.
UP NEXT:
The Drillers and Missions will return to the field for game three of their six-game series on Thursday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at ONEOK Field, and the pitching matchup is scheduled to be:
San Antonio - TBA
Tulsa - RHP Emmet Sheehan (0-1, 3.86 ERA)
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