TL1 Tulsa Drillers

Drillers Fall to Cardinals 5-2

Published on June 19, 2016 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


The Tulsa Drillers and Springfield Cardinals began their series on Father's Day at ONEOK Field with each squad knowing the first half title was at stake. But it was the Cardinals who were just a little bit better on Sunday afternoon as the Drillers saw their title hopes slip away with a 5-2 loss.

The Drillers had put themselves in contention for the title with an incredible run that went from May through the start of June, highlighted by a franchise-record ten straight wins. But Tulsa cooled off over the last week as the club went just 4-6 over its last 10 games to let Springfield claim the first-half playoff bid.

With both teams arriving in town late from their respective road games Saturday night, the game began quietly. But the Cardinals broke through in the top of the third as Paul DeJong launched his 12th homer of the season to put Springfield in front 1-0.

The Cardinals added to their advantage in the fourth inning. The visitors loaded the bases off Tim Shibuya on two singles and a walk, bringing catcher Carson Kelly up to the plate. Kelly, who was selected earlier this week to be the starting catcher for the Texas League All-Star Game, delivered an RBI single into center to double the Springfield lead to 2-0.

DeJong then stepped up to the plate with one out and lofted a fly ball into left. Jacob Scavuzzo made the catch and fired the ball to his cutoff man, shortstop Jordan Tarsovich, who redirected the throw from going home to third base. Although Luke Voit scored from third on the flyout, the Drillers were able to get an inning-ending double play as the relay cut down Anthony Garcia at third.

The Drillers seemed to ride the momentum of that double play into the home half of the fourth as Kyle Garlick led off with a double to left. After Scavuzzo flied out for the first out of the inning, Vinny DiFazio and Adam Law worked back-to-back walks off J.C. Sulbaran to load the bases.

Manager Ryan Garko then brought Cody Bellinger in to pinch-hit for Shibuya in the key spot. Bellinger responded by driving a deep fly ball to the warning track in right-center field, just missing a grand slam by a matter of feet. But the drive was far enough to plate Garlick from third and draw the Drillers to within 3-1. But Tulsa would not be able to add on as Sulbaran got Tarsovich to pop out to third to limit the damage.

The fifth inning was scoreless before Springfield took control of the game in the sixth.

With two outs and Tulsa reliever Daniel Corcino on the hill, the Cardinals extended the inning with two straight singles from Kelly and DeJong. Mason Katz then plated them both with a double down the right field line, putting Springfield firmly in front 5-1.

Although the Drillers got individual base hits in the seventh and eighth innings, they were unable to string together any offensive threats. But they did not go down without a fight in the bottom of the ninth.

With one out, Alex Verdugo legged out an infield single on a slow grounder to shortstop and advanced to second when Juan Herrera threw the ball away to first. Tarsovich then traded places with Verdugo as he lined a double into the right-center field gap to draw the score to 5-2.

But that would be as close as Tulsa would get as Springfield brought in Kevin Herget to close out the game. And Herget did his job, getting Brandon Trinkwon to ground out and Willie Calhoun to fly out to secure the win for the Cardinals.

Springfield reliever Ronnie Shaban earned his fourth win of the year with 2.2 innings of scoreless relief work while Shibuya took the loss. Herget was credited with his fifth save of the season.

The Drillers and Cardinals will wrap up the first half Monday night with the second game of their four-game series. Getting the start for Tulsa will be RHP Chase De Jong (7-4, 2.48 ERA) while Springfield will counter with RHP Corey Baker (2-5, 5.10 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

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Texas League Stories from June 19, 2016


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