TL1 Tulsa Drillers

Drillers Rally Falls Short in 2-1 Loss to Frisco

Published on August 20, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


Lars Anderson of the Tulsa Drillers
Lars Anderson of the Tulsa Drillers
(Tulsa Drillers, Credit: Rich Crimi)

For eight innings Thursday night, the Tulsa Drillers offensive output was non-existent. Facing a two-run deficit, the Drillers' bats did come to life in the ninth. The first three batters of the inning reached safely to produce a run, but with the bases loaded and one out, the rally fell short as a double-play grounder ended the game, giving the Frisco RoughRiders a 2-1 win at ONEOK Field.

It was a frustrating ending to a frustrating night for the Drillers. Tulsa was held without a hit through the first 6 2/3 innings and had only two entering the ninth.

The Drillers fell behind early as it didn't take the RoughRiders long to match their one-run output from the previous night. Leadoff batter Preston Beck hit the game's second pitch from Ross Stripling over the right field fence for his fifth home run of the year to stake the Riders to a 1-0 lead.

Frisco used another long ball to double its lead. Kellin Deglan led off the top of the fifth with his first Double-A homer to make it 2-0.

Frisco starter Connor Sadzeck did not allow a hit in his six, shutout innings. Reliever Jose Valdespina took over Sadzeck and retired the first two batters in the bottom of the seventh before issuing a two-out walk to Brandon Dixon. Brandon Trinkwon ended the no-hit bid when he dropped a base hit in front of left fielder Zach Cone. With the tying runs on base, Valdespina escaped the trouble by getting an inning-ending ground out from Erisbel Arruebarrena.

Tulsa's rally in the ninth began with back-to-back singles from Peter Lavin and Kyle Farmer off Riders' closer David Martinez. Lars Anderson followed with a double that plated Lavin with the Drillers first run that cut the Riders lead to 2-1.

Martinez recovered to retire Dixon on an infield grounder, keeping the runners at second and third. The Riders intentionally walked Trinkwon to load the bases. The strategy worked when Arruebarrena again grounded into a double play, ending the game.

The loss overshadowed a strong outing from Stripling. He allowed only four hits and two runs in his six innings. The loss dropped Stripling's record to 3-4.

Despite the defeat, the Drillers remain only one game out of first place in the North Division standings of the Texas League.

Tulsa will open a three-game series with Midland Friday night at ONEOK Field. In the opener, Chris Anderson (9-7, 4.11 ERA) will take the mound for the Drillers, while Dillon Overton (3-2, 4.40 ERA) will pitch for the RockHounds. Starting time in downtown Tulsa is scheduled for 7:05PM.

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Images from this story

Lars Anderson of the Tulsa Drillers
Lars Anderson of the Tulsa Drillers
(Rich Crimi)		   



Texas League Stories from August 20, 2015


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