Dominant Ferguson Backed by Drillers Bats in Big Win
May 11, 2018 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Tulsa Drillers starting pitcher Caleb Ferguson has not allowed an earned run since his second start of the season on April 12. The impressive streak came to an end on Thursday evening when he allowed a run to score in the second inning against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, but the one run was all the southpaw would allow in the Drillers 9-3 victory in the opening game of a four-game series at Arvest Ballpark.
The Drillers bats got to Naturals starter Foster Griffin early in the game. In the top of the first, D.J. Peters singled, and Connor Joe doubled him in for the first run of the game. An inning later, Peter O'Brien doubled followed by Drew Jackson trading places with him at second base with a double. Angelo Mora then singled to put Tulsa on top 3-0.
After going four straight starts without allowing an earned run, Northwest Arkansas finally got to Ferguson in the bottom of the second. After allowing a leadoff single, Brandon Downes doubled off the top of the wall in left to plate a run.
In the top of the sixth, the Drillers added a couple insurance runs. With one out, Luke Raley smacked his third triple of the year. After an O'Brien walk, Jackson hit his second double of the game to plate a pair, and put the Drillers on top 5-1.
A Drillers win would not be complete without a few long-balls in the game. In the top of the eighth, Joe and Raley went back-to-back as they each launched their seventh homers of the season. Adding to the inning, Keibert Ruiz hit his first double of the season, and then Jackson plated Ruiz and himself by crushing his fifth homer of the season.
The Naturals went on to rally for two runs in the 9th, but it would not be enough as the Drillers convincingly took the 9-3 victory.
WHAT YOU MISSED
*Before the bottom the second, Ferguson went a superb 26.2 innings without allowing an earned run. The lefty had another very good outing on Thursday only allowing the one run and had eight strikeouts in his six innings of work. He leads the Drillers pitching staff with three wins, and leads the Texas League with a 0.54 ERA.
*Jackson had a big night. His two doubles and homer accounted for five RBI.
*Raley was a perfect four-for-four on the night and was a double away from the cycle.
*Joe is having a career year. Prior to 2018, the infielder had hit five home runs in a season twice. He hit his seventh of the year on Thursday.
*After the Drillers three homers on Thursday, the team now has hit 51 in their first 32 games of the season.
*Shea Spitzbarth had two scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts.
*Naturals starter Foster Griffin had previously gone 5-0 against the Drillers in his career.
*Prior to the game, the Dodgers made a number of roster changes. Jacob Scavuzzo, Ariel Hernandez and Josh Sborz were all called up to Triple-A, and Eric Peterson was sent down to Great Lakes. Brian Moran, Zach Reks, Justin Hoyt and Miguel Vargas were all added to the Tulsa roster.
NEXT UP
The Drillers will take on the Naturals in game two of the four-game set on Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 PM in Springdale, with the probable starters being:
TUL Frank Duncan (0-1, 4.58 ERA)
NWA Zach Lovvorn (0-2, 4.94 ERA)
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- Mejias-Brean Blasts Walk-Off Homer - Arkansas Travelers
- Dominant Ferguson Backed by Drillers Bats in Big Win - Tulsa Drillers
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