Drillers Overcome Rain for Doubleheader Sweep
April 18, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
It took waiting out the longest rain delay in ONEOK Field history, but the Tulsa Drillers and San Antonio Missions played a doubleheader Monday afternoon and evening, but it proved to be worth the wait for the Drillers. Tulsa snapped a four-game losing streak by sweeping the doubleheader with a 10-3 win in game one and a 2-0 shutout victory in the second game.
The twin-bill was scheduled to begin at 12:05PM, but rain delayed the start until 3:51PM, making the 3 hour 46 minute delay the longest in stadium history.
Tulsa used two different ways to post the pair of victories, matching a season high with 10 runs in the opener. In the nightcap, the Drillers took advantage of a big error to break up a dual shutout and complete the sweep.
In the opener, the Missions struck first with a run in the top of the third, but Adam Law helped to promptly tie the game in the bottom half of the inning. With two outs and the bases empty, Law bunted for a base hit and stole second base. From there, Willie Calhoun singled him home to even the score at 1-1.
San Antonio went back in front in the fourth on doubles from Mike Olt and Diego Goris. Calhoun gave them a second run when he forgot how many outs there were in the inning. The second baseman bobbled a slow grounder from pitcher Johnny Hellweg and threw home instead of getting the third out at first base. The run gave the Missions a 3-1 lead.
Pitcher Chase De Jong doubled home two runs in the first game. (Rich Crimi)
The Drillers answered with three runs in the home half of the fourth to go in front for good. With two outs and the bases empty, Hellweg issued consecutive walks before Drew Maggi singled to load the bases. After a wild pitch gave the Drillers one run, pitcher Chase De Jong helped his own cause with a double to the base of the fence in left field that brought home two more runs to give Tulsa a 4-3 lead.
Tulsa used a pair of long balls to increase its lead in the fifth. Kyle Famer extended his hitting streak to nine straight games when he led off with his third homer of the season. After Jacob Scavuzzo and Alex Verdugo singled, Lars Anderson, who just rejoined the Drillers earlier in the day, lined a pitch from reliever Kyle Long into the Missions' bullpen for his first homer of the year to make it 8-3.
Scavuzzo helped the Drillers match their biggest offensive output of the season with a two-run homer in the sixth that made the final score 10-3.
In the second game, the starting pitchers dominated. Brock Stewart, who was making his Double-A debut for the Drillers, and Fabio Castillo kept the game scoreless through the first five innings.
Tulsa finally broke through against Castillo with the help of the error in the bottom of the sixth. A leadoff single from Devan Ahart and a walk to Calhoun put runners at first and second with no outs. After a wild pitch from Castillo, Scavuzzo struck out.
The Missions intentionally walked Anderson to load the bases before calling on reliever Adam Cimber. Cimber induced what looked like an inning-ending double play grounder from Yadir Drake, but the ball caromed off the glove of shortstop Nelson Ward. Both, Ahart and Calhoun scored on what was the first error by a Missions' infielder this season.
Reliever Grant Dayton, who had worked a scoreless sixth, made sure the two-run lead held as he made quick work of the Missions with a 1-2-3 seventh to close out the win.
Stewart who was 2-0 in two starts with Rancho Cucamonga this season continued his strong form. The right-hander worked the first five innings, blanking the Missions on only three hits.
Farmer did not play in the second game, keeping his hitting streak at nine straight games.
The two teams will close out their three-game series Tuesday night at ONEOK Field. Chris Anderson (1-1, 6.75 ERA) will pitch for Tulsa against Bryan Rodriguez (1-0, 1.54 ERA) of San Antonio. Starting time is slated for 7:05PM.
Texas League Stories from April 18, 2016
- Hooks Top Cards on Monday Night - Springfield Cardinals
- Naturals Fall in Game 2, Look to Salvage Finale on Tuesday - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Overcome Rain for Doubleheader Sweep - Tulsa Drillers
- Brinson's Big Blast Bumps Riders to 9-1 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Cardinals vs Travs at DSP for 4 Game Series - Arkansas Travelers
- Teachers Night T-Shirt and Ticket Packages Available Right Now - Springfield Cardinals
- David Nail Headlines Big Country Bash on Saturday, July 23 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Riders Game Notes - (DH) 5:35 p.m. vs. Arkansas Travelers - April 18, 2016 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Missions Topped by Cards 9-4 - San Antonio Missions
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.
