Drillers Earn Series Split
Published on August 6, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
In the final game of a 4 game set between the North Division First Half Champion Drillers and the North Division Second Half leading Cardinals on Monday night, the two teams put on quite a show. This possible Texas League playoff matchup has all the makings of a classic series if the past four matchups is any indication of the baseball that will be played later between these two squads. Tulsa took advantage of two big innings to down the Cardinals by the score of 10-6 and earn the series split at 2 games apiece. It was the third game in the last 4 nights to go into extra innings.
Springfield got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning off of starter Jhoulys Chacin. After retiring the first four Cards he faced, Chacin allowed a base hit by Xavier Scruggs with 1-out. Scruggs was able to advance to 2nd base on the next play as Audry Perez grounded out to third base. Raymond Kruml put Springfield on top with a ground ball single to centerfield that drove in Scruggs and make the score 1-0.
The Cards struck again two innings later with another run. This time, the rally was started with a single by Texas League All-Star Game MVP Oscar Taveras. The top prospect then stole second base to move into scoring position with one out. Scruggs came to the plate and delivered another single to bring in Taveras and give Springfield a 2 run lead.
Tulsa came storming back in the fifth inning and put a 6-spot up on the scoreboard. A leadoff single followed by a 2-run blast by Corey Dickerson gave the Drillers their first 2 runs. Jimmy Cesario followed with a single and Nolan Arenado walked to give Tulsa 2 more baserunners with only 1 out. Ben Paulsen drove both runners home with his 17th double of the season to give the Drillers a 4-2 lead. The extra-base hit signaled the end of the night for Cardinals starter Scott McGregor who was replaced by reliever Chase Reid.
Angelys Nina rudely welcomed Reid to the game with a single to advance Paulsen to third base. A balk by Reid during the next at bat brought in Paulsen and allowed Nina to move into scoring position at second. Chris Pettit contributed an RBI single of his own to complete the Drillers scoring for the inning and give Tulsa a 6-2 lead.
Springfield clawed back into the game in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a few extra base hits by their most heralded players. Kolten Wong led off the inning off of reliever Tim Sexton with a double, which was followed up two batters later by Taveras' 30th double of the year. Jamie Romak singled before Scruggs once again came through in the clutch with a 2 RBI double to bring the Cardinals to within 1 run.
Taveras tied the game in the eighth with his 20th homer of the season. The bomb came off of reliever Mike Marbry who had just entered the game.
The Drillers took the lead for good in the top of the tenth frame, which began with a double by Lars Davis. After a Pettit sacrifice bunt, the Cards elected to intentionally walk Tim Torres. A strikeout of Warren Schaeffer led to another intentional pass, this time to Corey Dickerson, which loaded the bases for Cesario. The second baseman made Springfield pay by clearing the bases with his firsty triple of the year. Arenado chipped in his 4th hit of the night to drive in Cesario and cap off the Tulsa inning.
The four run lead was more than enough for Zach Simons, who entered the game in the bottom half of the tenth to close it out. Simons walked 2 in the inning but did not allow a hit while securing the 10-6 victory.
Chacin pitched well in his second rehab start for the Drillers throwing 5 innings, allowing 4 hits, 2 earned runs, and striking out 5.
The Tulsa offense was led by Arenado who went 4-4 in the game to continue his streak of hot hitting. He was joined by the rest of the top 4 hitters in the Drillers lineup who combined to go 11-19 (.578) in the game with 8 RBIs.
Tulsa will have an off day on Tuesday and will resume play at ONEOK Field on Wednesday night against the Frisco RoughRiders. Scheduled starters are Parker Frazier (4-12, 3.97 ERA) for Tulsa and Cody Buckel (2-5, 5.23 ERA) for Frisco. First pitch is at 7:05PM.
Texas League Stories from August 6, 2012
- Drillers Earn Series Split - Tulsa Drillers
- Cardinals Beat Tulsa 4-1 - Springfield Cardinals
- Missions Roll 'Riders in Series Finale - Frisco RoughRiders
- Missions Defeat Frisco 12-4 In Series Finale - San Antonio Missions
- Travs Shutout to Conclude Home Stand - Arkansas Travelers
- Naturals Shutout Travelers - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Game Notes, August 6 at Midland - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Beltre Named "Topps Texas League Player of the Month" - Frisco RoughRiders
- Ethan Hollingsworth Named Texas League Pitcher of the Week - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Northern Invader Alert - Corpus Christi Hooks
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