TL1 Tulsa Drillers

Drillers Home for Eight Games April 22-29

Published on April 18, 2013 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


The Tulsa Drillers return to ONEOK Field for a big homestand against North Division rivals Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas that will begin on Monday, April 22. The Drillers will play eight games in eight consecutive days with the homestand running through Monday, April 29.

The Drillers and clutch-hitting left fielder Kyle Parker return to ONEOK Field Monday, April 22 for an 8-game homestand.

Tulsa will begin the stand with a four-game series against the Arkansas Travelers (Los Angeles Angels), before welcoming the Northwest Arkansas Naturals for an additional four games (Kansas City Royals).

Starting times for the first six games of the stand are set for 7:05PM. The game on Sunday, April 28 will begin at 2:05PM, while the finale on Monday, April 29 will have an early start time of 11:05AM.

Individual tickets for all eight games are available over the internet at TulsaDrillers.com, in person at the ONEOK Field Ticket Office (201 N. Elgin Avenue) or over the telephone by calling (918) 744-5901.

Some of the promotions that will take place during the homestand will include Make-A-Difference Monday (April 22), Thirsty Thursday (April 25), and not one, but TWO fireworks shows, on Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27. A complete list of the promotions is below.

The Drillers fared well against Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas in 2012. They posted an 18-14 record against the Travelers and won 15 of 28 matchups with the Naturals.

WHO'S HOT: Tulsa pitcher Christian Bergman has enjoyed a fast start to the 2013 campaign. In his first three outings of the season, the 2012 California League Pitcher of the Year allowed only one earned run while posting 16 strikeouts in 16.2 total innings.

Outfielder Kyle Parker also started quickly, hitting .435 with 2 home runs and 4 runs batted in during the first homestand. He also had two walk-off, game-winning hits in the homestand, including a ninth inning home run on April 15 that beat Corpus Christi Hooks 3-2.

RIGHTING THE SHIP: The Drillers' season got off to a tough start as they were only 1-5 in their season opening road trip, losing two of their first three games in San Antonio before being swept by the Hooks in Corpus Christi. But they turned that record around in their first homestand, flipping the script on both the Missions and Hooks in their visits to ONEOK Field. Tulsa took two of three from San Antonio and swept Corpus Christi.

TOP PROSPECTS: Northwest Arkansas Naturals starting pitcher Yorando Ventura is the #3 prospect in the Kansas City Royals organization according to MLB.com. Though small in stature, Ventura has one of the best fastballs in the minors, as well as an electric curveball. The Naturals also have the #4 prospect in the organization in shortstop Orlando Calixte.

The Arkansas Travelers may have the Texas League's most talented roster, as it features seven of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's top ten prospects. Third baseman Kaleb Cowart (#1 prospect) leads the highly rated group, followed by relief pitchers Nick Maronde (#2) and Daniel Tillman (#10), first baseman C.J. Cron (#3), second baseman Taylor Lindsey (#4), and outfielders Randal Grichuk (#7) and Travis Witherspoon (#8).

MAJOR LEAGUE EXPERIENCE: Manuel Pina, catcher for Northwest Arkansas, has had two short stints in the Majors. In 2011, he played in four games with the Royals, hitting .214 with two doubles. He also appeared in one game for Kansas City last season.

Arkansas Travelers relief pitcher Nick Maronde made his Major League debut with the Angels in 2012. In 12 appearances, Maronde allowed one earned run in 6.1 innings, striking out seven and recording three holds.

In addition, former Major League pitcher Mike Hampton joined the Travelers staff in the offseason, taking over as pitching coach. The 40-year-old Hampton pitched in the big leagues for 16 seasons with 6 different teams. Twice, he was named to the National League All-Star Team and was named the 2000 NLCS MVP while with the New York Mets.

TULSA DRILLERS SCHEDULE/PROMOTIONS (April 22-29)

Monday, April 22. . . Arkansas Travelers (7:05PM) - Gates Open at 6:00PM

McELROY MAKE-A-DIFFERENCE MONDAY

The six Monday night games of the 2013 season will give Tulsa area children and families in need the opportunity to attend games at no cost. As part of the program, all kids and parents will receive a complimentary Drillers Dog and soft drink.

SEASON TICKET HOLDER APPRECIATION NIGHT

This season, as a way to say thanks, we are offering a number of discounts and prizes at Monday night games for our season ticket holders! For this game, season ticket holders can enter the stadium at 4:30PM to watch the Drillers take batting practice as well as enjoy buy one, get one free on hot dogs!

Tuesday, April 23. . . Arkansas Travelers (7:05PM) - Gates Open at 6:00PM

2 NEWS WORKS FOR YOU $2 TUESDAY

It's another 2 News Works For You $2 Tuesday! General Admission tickets on the outfield lawn are only $2.00 each, while all other tickets are discounted $3.00 off normal prices. In addition, hot dogs, Mazzio's Pizza slices, 21 ounce Pepsi fountain drinks and jumbo soft pretzels will be on sale for only $2.00 each. Finally, from 6:00-8:00PM, Corona bottles will be on sale for only $2 each at the beer carts located next to the Siegi's Sausage Shack behind home plate and the BBQ Cart on the third base concourse.

Wednesday, April 24. . . Arkansas Travelers (7:05PM) - Gates Open at 6:00PM

BARK IN THE PARK

Dog owners are invited to bring their canine friends to ONEOK Field to enjoy the game from the Primeaux Kia Lawn areas courtesy of City Vet Hospital, Animal Aid of Tulsa and 94.1 The Sound. All dogs will need proof of up-to-date vaccinations to gain free admission. Fans with dogs should enter the park through either the Oil Derrick or Arvest (Brady Street) Entrances.

Poop 911 will be on hand to help owners with clean up and Tulsa Animal Welfare will have dogs for adoption.

Thursday, April 25. . . Arkansas Travelers (7:05PM) - Gates Open at 6:00PM

GO GREEN NIGHT / REUSABLE BAG GIVEAWAY

ONEOK Field and the Drillers are "Going Green!" The Drillers will wear special edition green jerseys and the first 1,000 fans, ages 5 and up, will receive reusable bags compliments of The M.E.T., FOX 23 and Z104.5 The Edge. Displays will be located along the concourse that will give you tips and ideas for recycling. There will also be a display of CNG vehicles.

THIRSTY THURSDAY

Our popular Thirsty Thursday promotion is back with 12 ounce servings of Bud and Bud Light and 16 ounce servings of Pepsi on sale for only $1 each.

Friday, April 26. . . Northwest Arkansas Naturals (7:05PM) - Gates Open at 6:00PM

NEWS ON 6 FRIDAY NIGHT FIREWORKS / T-SHIRTS

Following the game, it is another News on 6 Friday Night Fireworks Show, presented by Osage Casino, The News on 6 and 98.5 KVOO. Also, the first 1,500 fans, ages 18 and over, will receive =BE sleeve baseball shirts form Osage Casino.

Saturday, April 27. . . Northwest Arkansas Naturals (7:05PM) - Gates Open at 6:00PM

TULSA'S CHANNEL 8 GRAND SLAM SATURDAY FIREWORKS

It's Grand Slam Saturday and back-to-back Fireworks as ONEOK, Mix 96 and Tulsa's Channel 8 present another great post-game show!

Sunday, April 28. . . Northwest Arkansas Naturals (2:05PM) - Gates Open at 12:30PM

2 NEWS WORKS FOR YOU SOUVENIR SUNDAY / KIDS EAT FREE / DRILLERS THUNDERSTICKS

It's 2 News Works for You Family FUNday Sunday and the first 500 fans, ages 12 and under, to enter the stadium through the Arvest and Oil Derrick Entrances will receive a Drillers Thunderstick. All kids, with a paid admission, will get a Kids Eat Free Coupon that is redeemable for a free hot dog, ice cream and milk. It is all courtesy of the Green Country Chevy Dealers, K95.5FM, and 2 News Works for You.

After the game, all kids will be able run the bases compliments of Danny Beck Chevrolet.

FREE KIDS BASEBALL SKILLS CAMP Before the game, youth baseball and softball players will be allowed onto the field for a clinic with the Drillers. The clinic will run from 12:45-1:30PM. Kids wishing to participate are encouraged to arrive at the stadium by 12:30PM.

Monday, April 29. . . Northwest Arkansas Naturals (11:05AM) - Gates Open at 10:00AM

DAYTIME BASEBALL / OZONE ALERT DAY

The Drillers conclude the homestand with Day Baseball presented by ONEOK. It's also the beginning of the Ozone Alert campaign. Hornsby will present an anti-bullying program before the game and young fans will receive Hornsby tags that include a bag tag and bookmark.

Check out the Tulsa Drillers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Texas League Stories from April 18, 2013


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.

OurSports Central