Drillers Strike Late to Beat Naturals
Published on July 19, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
For seven innings Sunday night in the opening game of a four-game series, Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas were involved in a closely contested pitcher's duel, but that changed over the final two innings. Tied at 1-1, the Drillers scored twice in the eighth and five times in the ninth to record an 8-1 victory at Arvest Ballpark. The result kept Tulsa in a first-place tie with Arkansas in the North Division standings of the Texas League.
Starting pitchers Jeremy Kehrt and Luke Farrell were both outstanding. Farrell allowed only one run in six innings, while Kehrt surrendered only four hits and one run in seven innings of work.
The Naturals only run came on a two-out rally in the very first inning. After Kehrt retired the first two hitters, Jorge Bonifacio and Alex Liddi delivered back-to-back doubles to open the scoring.
Tulsa evened the score in the top of the third when Brandon Trinkwon and Adam Law opened the inning with consecutive singles. Ronald Torreyes followed with a sacrifice fly that tied the game at 1-1.
It remained that way until the eighth. The Tulsa rally began when Trinkwon reached safely on an error by Naturals' reliever Aroni Nina. A single by Law and a walk to Torreyes loaded the bases with one out. Erisbel Arruebarrena gave the Drillers the lead with a base hit that plated Trinkwon. One out later, reliever Sam Selman walked Lars Anderson to force in another run and up Tulsa's lead to 3-1.
The Drillers put the game away with their big five-run ninth. With one out, Yadir Drake singled and Trinkwon walked. Law and Torreyes provided run-scoring singles to give Tulsa a four-run lead. Brian Burgamy doubled home Law and Torreyes before scoring himself on a double by Anderson.
Kehrt picked up the win to even his record at 6-6. Deck McGuire, who just returned from Triple A this past weekend, worked two scoreless relief innings to record his first save of the season.
Law, hitting in the ninth spot, led an 11-hit attack for Tulsa by going 3-4 with 2 runs scored and 1 run batted in. Torreyes was the only other Drillers' hitter with more than one hit, finishing 2-3. Torreyes, Burgamy and Anderson knocked in two runs each.
The Drillers and Naturals will play the second game of their four-game set Monday night. Jharel Cotton (3-1, 2.93 ERA) will make the start for Tulsa. Highly-rated Kansas City Royals prospect Sean Manaea will make his Double-A debut for Northwest Arkansas. Starting time in Springdale is slated for 7:05PM.
Texas League Stories from July 19, 2015
- Hooks Harness 'Hounds - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Wisdom Swings Cards Close, But Travs Escape with 3-2 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Drillers Strike Late to Beat Naturals - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Fall to Tulsa in Series Opener - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Needy's Complete-Game Effort Sparks Missions in Opener - San Antonio Missions
- Six Unearned Runs Send Riders to Loss - Frisco RoughRiders
- A Loss ... and a Standing Ovation - Midland RockHounds
- Travs Hold on in Another One-Run Thriller - Arkansas Travelers
- Hooks Rout Riders - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Drop Drillers 5-4 in Homestand Finale - Tulsa Drillers
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