Drillers Bats Quieted in 2-1 Defeat
May 16, 2018 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The Tulsa Drillers had produced back-to-back late inning wins the previous two nights against Springfield and the stage was set Wednesday afternoon for another one, but it was not to be. The Cardinals made sure that consecutive, solo home runs in the fourth inning hold up and edged the Drillers 2-1 at ONEOK Field.
The narrow loss spoiled an impressive 2018 debut on the mound by Logan Bawcom. Bawcom was recently signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers after playing independent ball for the Sugar Land Skeeters. He started the game off well, allowing only two hits through the first three innings. His only hiccup came in the top of the fourth when Randy Arozarena and Lane Thomas launched back-to-back homers into the terrace in left field.
The Drillers first hit did not come until the bottom of the fourth, and it came on a wild play. After Connor Joe drew a walk, Zach Reks lined a single up the middle to center field and made a big turn around first base. Shortstop Edmundo Sosa tried to catch Reks off base and get the out by throwing to first, but he overthrew and allowed Joe to come all the way around to plate the first Drillers run.
Tahlequah native Ryan Helsley silenced the Drillers bats all afternoon. The only other scoring chance for Tulsa came in the top of the eighth when Mike Ahmed led the inning off with a walk and was bunted to second by Hamlet Marte. Helsley then struck out Tyler Colvin, and his day came to an end after allowing only 2 hits in 7.2 innings.
Hector Mendoza replaced Helsley to face Luke Raley. On a 2-2 count, Raley dropped a single to center field, but Lane Thomas made a strong throw to the plate to prevent Ahmed from scoring.
The Drillers were unable to rally in the ninth as they fell 2-1 to the Cardinals.
WHAT YOU MISSED
*Bawcom came to the Drillers with plenty of minor league experience. He has spent time in the Dodgers, Mariners, Padres and Athletics systems since 2010, and has gone 30-30 with a 3.18 ERA. He made five appearances with the Drillers in 2016.
*Brian Moran tossed 2.1 scoreless innings out of the pen and notched three strikeouts.
*Andrew Istler threw a perfect inning out of the pen.
*Joe made a great catch on a foul ball in the top of the ninth. He fully extended and reached over the wall of the Cardinals dugout to haul the popup in.
*The start of the game was delayed about 90 minutes with the threat of rain in the Tulsa area.
*Before the game, the Dodgers placed Drew Jackson on the disabled list backdated to Monday and placed Caleb Ferguson on the temporary inactive list. Cael Brockmeyer was added from Oklahoma City and Bawcom was officially activated.
UP NEXT
The Drillers will go for the series win on Thursday night in the finale against the Cardinals. First pitch at ONEOK Field is scheduled for 7:05 PM, with the probable starters being:
SPR Conner Greene (3-2, 3.63 ERA)
TUL Mitchell White (0-0, 6.43 ERA)
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