Drillers Beat Travs, Snap Skid
Published on July 10, 2014 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The Tulsa Drillers opened a homestand Wednesday night at ONEOK Field carrying a season-high four-game losing streak, but their luck changed even before the opener began. Just prior to game time, the Travelers starting pitcher Michael Roth, who only four days ago picked up a victory in the majors with two perfect relief innings for the Los Angeles Angels, was scratched from his appearance for undisclosed reasons. With Roth out, the Drillers scored in each of the first five innings and coasted to an 8-5 victory over the Travs.
Designated hitter David Bergin led the big night with three hits, including his first Double-A homer. The Drillers finished with 13 hits in the game.
The loss for Arkansas was its seventh straight.
The Drillers took advantage of an error to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Delta Cleary Jr. led off with a base hit and was on second base with one out. Taylor Featherston hit a ground ball back to pitcher Michael Brady, and Cleary Jr. was caught in a rundown. Instead of an out, the play turned into a run when second baseman Alex Yarbrough's throw to third was high, allowing Cleary Jr. to slide home with the game's first run.
Tulsa loaded the bases in the second on three straight hits from Bergin, Jose Gonzalez and David Kandilas. Cleary Jr. followed with a sacrifice fly that made it 2-0.
The Drillers all but put the game away with a four-run third inning. Ryan Casteel and Trevor Story singled in front of a two-run double by Jared Simon. Bergin followed with his home run into the Budweiser Terrace in left field to up the lead to 6-0.
After Mike Bianucci put the Travs on the board with his third homer of the year in the top of the fourth, the Drillers big offensive night continued in the bottom half of the inning. Cristhian Adames doubled and scored on a base hit by Casteel.
In the fifth, Bergin doubled and scored on a single by Cleary Jr. to make it 8-1.
The Drillers would not score again, and Arkansas made things interesting late. After scoring single runs in the sixth and eighth innings, the Travs got the potential game-tying run to the plate in the top of the ninth.
After a two-out error by third baseman Adames extended the game, a walk and single loaded the bases. Bianucci dropped a base hit into left-center field off Kraig Sitton, plating two runs and bringing catcher Jett Bandy to the plate. With a chance to tie the game, Bandy hit a sharp liner off closer Cole White, but it was directly at Kandilas in left field. The outfielder made the catch to end the game, which took 3 hours and 28 minutes to complete.
Tulsa starting pitcher Carlos Hernandez picked up a much-deserved win in the contest. Hernandez entered the game with only a 1-4 record despite carrying a 2.80 ERA. The lefthander surrendered 2 runs on 7 hits in 5.1 innings.
White picked up his fifth save.
Brady, who was making only his third professional start, was tagged for the loss, dropping his record to 0-3.
The two teams will be back in action Thursday night. Jon Gray (7-4, 4.04 ERA) will be on the mound for the Drillers, while the Travelers will start former Tulsa Union High School hurler Drew Rucinski (7-4, 2.35 ERA). Starting time is scheduled for 7:05PM in downtown Tulsa.
Texas League Stories from July 10, 2014
- Gray Edges Roth in 3-2 Tulsa Win - Tulsa Drillers
- Dozier's Blast Lifts Naturals over Springfield, 5-4 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Small Ball Allows Hooks to Even Series - Frisco RoughRiders
- San Antonio Missions Game Notes: July 10 at Midland (7:00 PM CST) - San Antonio Missions
- The Aplin of Our Eye - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Geovany Soto to Rehab Tonight for Frisco - Frisco RoughRiders
- ONEOK Field to Host CrossFit Competition - Tulsa Drillers
- Marte Perfect at the Plate as Hounds Win 6th Straight - Midland RockHounds
- Streak Fizzles in Frisco - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Late Comeback Not Enough to Stop Skid - Arkansas Travelers
- Drillers Beat Travs, Snap Skid - Tulsa Drillers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
