Drillers and Cards Spilt Double-Header
Published on August 8, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Sunday was filled with both good and bad moments for the Driller starting pitchers. Christian Friedrich, game one starter, struggled for his second consecutive start, this time against the Springfield Cardinals. Rob Scahill on the other hand, carried the Drillers for seven strong innings in the second half of the double-header, collecting his ninth win of the season. Tommy Field and Mike Mitchell shined in both games of the double header, leading the Drillers and Cardinals to split the two on Sunday.
Game one Sunday marked the return of starting pitcher Christian Friedrich to the mound for the Drillers after a short stay on the inactive list. It was his first outing since his July 26 start against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
It quickly became a forgettable start for Friedrich, as the lefthander walked three of the first four batters he faced to begin ballgame. With the bases loaded Donovan Solano then crushed a grand slam, his first of the year, over the right-center field fence.
The grand slam was the second Friedrich had given up in his last two starts.
The Cardinals extended their lead in the second, when Ryan Jackson doubled to left field. The double scored two, giving the Cardinals a 6-0 advantage after two innings of play.
Adam Jorgenson threw three shut-out innings for the Drillers Sunday night in the first game of the double-header. The Drillers and Cardinals split both of the games that were played. (Rich Crimi)
Friedrich then surrendered his second home run of the game in the top third, off the bat of Audry Perez. The home run was the catcher's seven of the year, as he crushed the Friedrich pitch over the berm in left-center field.
Friedrich's night was complete after the third. His night was over after allowing eight earned runs in three innings, giving up seven hits, walking four, and striking out four.
Down 8-0 after three innings, the Drillers added runs in both the fourth and sixth innings.
Erik Wetzel was credited with his thirteenth RBI of the year, when he doubled to left in the fourth scoring Mike Mitchell from second base.
Tommy Field added a run in the sixth, with his fifteenth home run on the year. Field launched the John Gast offering over the terrace in left field. It was his first RBI in his last seven games, as it brought the Drillers within six, 8-2.
Adam Jorgenson relieved Friedrich in the fourth, as he tossed three shut-out innings on two hits.
The Drillers rallied for a single run in the seventh, however Field grounded out to second base ending the first half of the double header, 9-3.
After starting the first game on a run-scoring streak, the Cardinals were held scoreless by the Drillers and starter Rob Scahill through the first four innings in game two.
The Cardinals also held the Drillers in check, until the bottom of the fourth when the Drillers put two runs on the board.
Mike Mitchell began the inning with his first home run of the year, giving the Drillers their first lead of either game.
After two batters failed to reach base, Field extended the Drillers lead with his second home run of the night. The blast gave the Drillers a 2-0 lead, after four innings of play.
The Drillers added another run in the fifth, with some help from the Cardinals infield. Scahill reached on an error with one out, with Tim Wheeler and Mitchell both following with singles. Mitchell's base knock drove in the Drillers third run of the game, as Scahill scored from third base.
In the seventh, Scahill became the most recent pitcher to surrender a Matt Adams' home run. The home run was Adams' twenty sixth of the year, and represented the Cardinals only run.
After the first two Drillers reached base, a Lars Davis single brought in Field from second, giving the Drillers their fourth score of the game.
Scahill finished all seven innings of the ballgame to stop the Drillers four-game losing streak. The complete game was his first of the year, as he limited the Cardinals to eight hits over the seven innings.
The Drillers and Cardinals will complete their four-game series Monday night at ONEOK Field, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05PM. Alex White will take the mound for the Drillers, in his second rehab start and be followed by Josh Sullivan (2-7, 6.14). The Cardinals will give the ball to Michael Blazek (10-5, 5.86) in the series finale.
Texas League Stories from August 8, 2011
- White Shines In Drillers 12-4 Win - Tulsa Drillers
- Cardinals Fall to Drillers 12-4 - Springfield Cardinals
- Travs Come Back For Win, Split Series - Arkansas Travelers
- Travs' 'Extra' Effort Sinks Naturals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Missions Stun 'Riders Late, Win 3-1 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Game Notes, August 8 - Midland at Corpus Christi - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Big Inning Undoes Travs Sunday - Arkansas Travelers
- Cardinals Split Doubleheader with Drillers - Springfield Cardinals
- Drillers and Cards Spilt Double-Header - Tulsa Drillers
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