Sports stats

TL1 Tulsa Drillers

Drillers Fall to Reyes and Cardinals

August 30, 2015 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


The Tulsa Drillers quest to hold their ground in the Texas League's North Division pennant race came up short Saturday night at ONEOK Field. In one of the best pitching matchups of the season, Springfield's Alex Reyes came out with the victory as the Cardinals defeated the Drillers 3-2. A sellout crowd of 8,492 watched the action on Oklahoma City Thunder Night.

The defeat dropped Tulsa five games behind first-place Arkansas with only nine games remaining in the regular season.

The marque pitching duel featured two of the Top 30 prospects in all of Minor League Baseball. Reyes is rated as the #18 prospect, while Tulsa's starter, Jose De Leon, is ranked as the #26 overall prospect. Both right-handers pitched effectively.

The only damage against Reyes came in the very first inning when Yadir Drake and Lars Anderson delivered consecutive one-out hits. Drake singled and scored when Anderson doubled to the base of the wall in right-centerfield.

Springfield answered in the top of the second with the only run against De Leon. Bruce Caldwell led off with a double, then scored on another double from David Washington. The Redbirds nearly took the lead when Patrick Wisdom dropped a single into shallow centerfield. Washington attempted to score on the hit, but he was thrown out at the plate on a strong throw from Peter Lavin.

Tulsa catcher Kyle Farmer tags out David Washington in the second inning of Saturday night's game. (Rich Crimi)

The Cardinals took the lead with a pair of runs in the sixth off reliever Ralston Cash. Nick Martini drew a leadoff walk from Cash, and Caldwell followed with a double that put runners at second and third. Mike Ohlman brought both of them home when he just missed a homer with a drive to deep left-center field. The two-run double gave the Redbirds a 3-1 lead.

The Drillers made a bid for a comeback win in the bottom of the ninth. Lavin, Arruebarrena and Jarek Cunningham opened the inning with three straight hits off reliever Robby Rowland to plate a run and cut their deficit to one run.

Springfield turned to Ronnie Shaban to replace Rowland. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third, the Redbirds intentionally walked Brandon Trinkwon to load the bases. The strategy worked as Shaban retired Drake on strikes and Anderson a fly out to end the threat and the game.

De Leon departed after 4.2 innings and did not factor into the decision. He allowed the one run on six hits while striking out six and not issuing a walk.

Reyes evened his Double-A record at 2-2 with the victory. He pitched the first six innings, and gave up only three hits and one run. Reyes walked three and struck out eight.

Game two of the three-game series between teams is scheduled for Sunday night. The Drillers have yet to announce a starting pitcher, while the Cardinals will send Kyle Hald (3-6, 5.12 ERA) to the mound. Starting time is scheduled for 7:05PM.

Check out the Tulsa Drillers Statistics



Texas League Stories from August 30, 2015


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.

Other Recent Tulsa Drillers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central