Drillers Unable to Overcome Big Third Inning
April 22, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The Tulsa Drillers began their 4-game road trip in Springsdale, Arkansas on Thursday night, but were unable to overcome one poor inning in which the Northwest Arkansas Naturals put up five runs, which was all they would need to defeat the Drillers 5-2.
Drillers' starter Felipe Gonzalez (0-3) was unable to make it through the third inning in this one, being pulled after two and a third innings mainly due to an inability to find the strike zone.
Gonzalez walked five batters and allowed four hits. He was able to avoid damage in the first two innings, but the wheels came off in the bottom of the third.
Gonzalez retired Naturals left fielder Carlos Garcia on a ground out to start the inning, but then was unable to record another out.
Gonzalez walked the next two batters before allowing an RBI single to Hunter Dozier. Right fielder Orlando Calixte reached on another walk, then he and Dozier came around to score on a Zane Evans' double. Evans was the last batter Gonzalez would face on the night as Ryan Garko went to the bullpen with the Drillers down 5-0.
The bullpen provided a bright spot to this night, picking up in the third inning and not allowing another run the rest of the night.
Rob Rogers and Ralston Cash combined to go four and two-thirds innings of scoreless baseball while only allowing one batter to reach with five combined strikeouts.
Dale Thayer also tossed a scoreless inning with a strikeout in the eighth inning.
On offense, Drillers catcher Kyle Farmer continued his hot start to the season, extending his hitting streak to ten games with an RBI double in the fourth inning. Farmer is now leading the team with a .359 average through 13 games.
In just his fourth game of the season with the Tulsa Drillers, Lars Anderson connected for his second home run of the year off Naturals starter Christian Binford (1-2).
Tulsa was unable to figure out the Naturals' relievers, however, as Eric Stout tossed three scoreless innings, and Kevin McCarthy recorded his first save of the season with a quiet ninth inning.
Tulsa will try to rebound against Northwest Arkansas tomorrow night with Scott Barlow (0-1, 0.93 ERA) taking the hill for the Drillers and Jake Junis (0-1, 6.00 ERA) for the Naturals. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05PM.
Texas League Stories from April 22, 2016
- 3 Home Runs Not Enough for Drillers in Springdale - Tulsa Drillers
- Burg, Beck Bolster 'Riders - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Travs Edge Cardinals in Narrow 3-1 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Missions' Bats Erupt to Even Series - San Antonio Missions
- Naturals Claim 5th Straight Victory at Home - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Balanced Offense Helps San Antonio Even Series - San Antonio Missions
- Riders Game Notes - 7:05 at Corpus Christi Hooks - April 22, 2016 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Riders Holding Fan Vote for Star Trek-Inspired Jerseys - Frisco RoughRiders
- RockHounds Are All Heart (Of the Order) - Midland RockHounds
- Travs Take Opener in Arkansas - Springfield Cardinals
- RockHounds Crush Missions 9-2 - San Antonio Missions
- Drillers Unable to Overcome Big Third Inning - Tulsa Drillers
- Travs Bats Stay Hot in 9-4 Series Opening Win - Arkansas Travelers
- Sadzeck, Cordell Lead RoughRiders - Corpus Christi Hooks
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