TL Tulsa Drillers

Drillers Drop Scoring Battle in Amarillo

Published on June 29, 2023 under Texas League (TL)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


AMARILLO, TX - Amarillo's HODGETOWN is often referred to as a hitter's friendly ballpark, and Thursday night it played to its reputation. Tulsa and Amarillo combined for 19 runs, with the majority of them coming in the first four innings, including seven from Amarillo in the first inning. The Drillers threatened but were never able to overcome the big deficit and fell 12-7 to the Sod Poodles.

The loss was a season high fifth straight for the Drillers. It also left them with a 0-2 record to open the second half of the season.

The game started on a good note for the Drillers when Imanol Vargas doubled home Jorbit Vivas in the top of the first for a quick 1-0 lead.

It quickly disappeared under Amarillo' big first inning that came against Tulsa starter Nick Frasso. Six of the inning's first seven batters reached safely against Frasso on five hits and a hit batter. A double from Caleb Roberts plated the fourth run of the inning and ended Frasso's night.

Antonio Knowles came on and was greeted by a three-run homer from Tim Tawa that completed the big inning.

The team's traded runs over the next few innings with the Sod Poodles answering every attempt from the Drillers to get back into the game.

Kody Hoese cut Tulsa's deficit to 7-3 with a two-run homer in the second. The blast was the second of the year for Hoese and ended up on a street outside the stadium.

Amarillo responded with two more runs on Tawa's second homer of the night in the third.

The Drillers pulled to within 9-5 in the top of the fourth when Yusniel Diaz tripled home Diego Cartaya and scored himself on a ground out from Carson Taylor.

But the Sod Poodles answered with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the fourth.

Taylor delivered the Drillers last attempt at a comeback with a two-run homer in the sixth that made it 11-7.

Amarillo closed the scoring with a single run in the bottom of the sixth.

Tulsa made things somewhat interesting in the top of the ninth. After the first two batters struck out, three straight walks loaded the bases, but the threat ended when Cartaya grounded into a game-ending fielder's choice.

HIGHLIGHTS AND HAPPENINGS:

*Amarillo finished with 15 hits, the most allowed in a game by Tulsa pitchers this season.

*Frasso was charged with five runs in 1/3 of an inning.

*The Drillers used six pitchers in the game and only John Rooney had a scoreless outing, holding the Sod Poodles without a run in the eighth.

*Ricky Vanasco made his first appearance since joining the Drillers and gave up two runs in one inning of work.

*The Sod Poodles stole five bases in the game, three by Jordan Lawlar.

*Tulsa's Austin Gauthier walked in the fourth inning and has now reached base in 17 straight games.

*The Drillers announced a roster move just before Thursday's game. Outfielder Josh Stowers was placed on the Injured List and was replaced on the active roster by Ismael Alcantara. Alcantara, who was hitting .204 with 3 home runs and 16 RBI for Great Lakes, played in ten games for Tulsa last season.

*The Drillers scored at least seven runs in the game and that means fans can purchase a large, one-topping pizza from Mazzio's for just $7 on Friday. The special offer is good throughout the day and is only available online at Mazzios.com when you use the code DRILLERS at checkout.

UP NEXT:

The Drillers will continue their six-game series in Amarillo with game three on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. at HODGETOWN. The starting pitchers have been announced as:

TUL - RHP Kyle Hurt (2-3, 3.89 ERA)

AMA - RHP Luke Albright (5-2, 5.65 ERA)

Check out the Tulsa Drillers Statistics

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Texas League Stories from June 29, 2023


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