Drillers Clinch Tl North Division First Half Title with 3-1 Win
Published on June 16, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Poised to clinch the first half championship of the Texas League's North Division on Saturday night at Dickey-Stephens, the Tulsa Drillers' got a pair of RBIs from their leadoff hitter, Josh Rutledge, and a sensational pitching performance from their starter, Edwar Cabrera, as they defeated the Arkansas Travelers by a final score of 3-1 to clinch the title.
Rutledge emphatically started the game as he took the very first offering from Travs' (25-42) starter, A.J. Schugel, out on a line to left field for an early 1-0 Drillers (39-28) lead. Schugel would bounce back after the homer by retiring the next seven batters he faced to work through the lineup one time. A one-out triple by the Drillers' nine-hole hitter, Mike Mitchell, led to Rutledge's second RBI. After working the count full, Rutledge flew out to left field, deep enough for Mitchell to score from third to give the Drillers a 2-0 lead.
The Drillers would collect their third and final run of the game in the fourth inning after consecutive singles to start the frame set up another sacrifice fly opportunity. Nolan Arenado led the inning off with a single to centerfield. He would then advance to third base on a single to center off the bat of Ben Paulsen to put runners on the corners with no one out. Corey Dickerson would extend his at-bat to a 2-2 count before he elevated a pitch to right field to cash in Arenado from third.
Similar to how Schugel bounced back after the leadoff homerun in the first inning, he would regain control of the game following the fourth-inning sacrifice fly as he would go on to retire the final 12 batters he would face, starting with Dickerson's sacrifice fly. Overall, Schugel pitched well as his final line read: seven complete innings, four hits, three runs (one HR), zero walks, and five strikeouts.
In the sixth inning, the Travs would finally get to Cabrera as they were able to take advantage two of his limited mistakes in the game. With one out, Cabrera plunked Renny Osuna on an inside fastball. Looking to apply pressure to Cabrera, Osuna took off on the left-hander's first movement in an attempt to swipe second base. Cabrera was aware of Osuna leaving first and he attempted to pick him off by throwing to the bag at first base. The throw, however, sailed over the Driller's first baseman, Paulsen, and allowed Osuna to secure the steal of second and then advance to third on the Cabrera error. Jean Segura, who was moved down a spot in the lineup to give him more RBI opportunities, delivered a solid RBI single to centerfield to score Osuna and get the Travs on the board.
The Travs would threaten again in the eighth inning as they put the tying run on base, but Cabrera worked out of the inning without surrendering a run. Drillers' closer Coty Woods would then work a perfect ninth inning on three groundouts to wrap up the victory.
Having lost the first three games of this four-game series with the Drillers, the Travs will look to salvage the final game of the series on Father's Day. Sunday's game is set for a 6:00 pm start. Gates open at 5:00 pm.
Texas League Stories from June 16, 2012
- Cisnero Fires 2-Hit Shutout, Hooks Snap Two Game Slide - Frisco RoughRiders
- Drillers Clinch Tl North Division First Half Title with 3-1 Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Drillers Win First-Half Title - Tulsa Drillers
- Cardinals Beat Naturals 7-2 - Springfield Cardinals
- Big Inning Does in Naturals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Rangers Purchase Grimm; Option Tateyama; Transfer Feliz to 60-Day DL - Frisco RoughRiders
- Drillers Win Season-Best 6th Straight - Tulsa Drillers
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