Drillers Lose Big Lead in Saturday Loss
August 13, 2023 - Texas League (TL)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Tulsa Drillers' Luis Diaz at bat
(Tulsa Drillers, Credit: Rich Crimi)
TULSA, OK - The Tulsa Drillers were unable to hold a sizable lead in a 10-9 loss to the Amarillo Sod Poodles on Saturday night. After the fourth inning, the Drillers had an 8-2 lead, but the Tulsa bullpen surrendered eight runs over the final five frames as Amarillo rallied for the victory at ONEOK Field.
A key moment in the game occurred during the Drillers first trip to the plate. With two outs, Tulsa loaded the bases on two walks and a hit batter. Kody Hoese came up next and worked a 2-1 count before hitting a ball over the fence down the left field line. It was originally signaled as a fair ball and a grand slam home run. However, after a discussion between the umpires, the home run call was reversed to a foul ball, taking the four runs off the scoreboard. Hoese struck out two pitches later to end the inning.
Amarillo followed by scoring the game's first runs in the second inning on a two-run homer from S.P. Chen.
Tulsa stormed back with a five-run bottom of the second. With two outs and a runner at second base, the Drillers earned five consecutive hits from the top five batters in the lineup to take a 5-2 lead.
The Drillers added three more runs in the fourth inning on a solo home run from Ismael Alcantara and a two-run blast from Imanol Vargas, increasing the lead to 8-2.
In the next half inning, the Sod Poodles matched the Drillers with three runs themselves on a sacrifice fly and Tim Tawa's two-run homer, bringing the score to 8-5.
The Drillers added a ninth run in the sixth inning when Jorbit Vivas scored from third base on a passed ball.
Over the next two innings, Amarillo scored five runs, beginning with home runs from Ivan Melendez and Tawa to tie the game in the seventh. A.J. Vukovich put the Sod Poodles on top 10-9 with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning.
Tulsa could not rally, going down in order in both the eighth and ninth innings.
HIGHLIGHTS AND HAPPENINGS:
*River Ryan got the unexpected start on the mound and lasted just three innings with 71 pitches thrown. His final line was two runs allowed on three hits and three walks with six strikeouts. It was his first appearance since July 29.
*Braydon Fisher pitched the seventh and eighth innings and received the loss. He allowed two runs on two hits, and all six outs he recorded were strikeouts.
*The home run reversal in the first resulted in the ejections of Hoese and interim manager Juan Apodaca.
*Yusniel Diaz earned a hit in the second inning to increase his hitting streak to 12 straight games. During the streak, Diaz is batting .452 and has a 1.469 OPS.
*The two teams combined for 13 walks and 31 strikeouts.
*Since the Drillers scored at least seven runs in the game, fans can purchase a large, one-topping pizzas from Mazzio's on Sunday for just $7. The special offer is good throughout the day and is only available online at Mazzios.com and when you use the code DRILLERS at checkout.
*Vargas drove in three runs and now has 70 RBI for the season, the fifth most in the Texas League.
UP NEXT:
The Drillers and Sod Poodles will conclude their series on Sunday afternoon at ONEOK Field with Tulsa needing a victory to gain a split of the series. Starting time for the finale is slated for 1:05 p.m. and the probable pitchers are:
Amarillo -RHP Jamison Hill (5-6, 5.28 ERA)
Tulsa - RHP Ben Casparius (0-5, 8.72 ERA)
Images from this story
 Tulsa Drillers' Luis Diaz at bat (Rich Crimi) |
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