TL1 Tulsa Drillers

Drillers Win After Big Trade

Published on July 19, 2018 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


On a night when the Los Angeles Dodgers shipped a package of Tulsa players to Baltimore to acquire All-Star shortstop Manny Machado, the Tulsa Drillers were still able to pick up a big victory over Arkansas on Wednesday. Jacob Scavuzzo stayed hot and provided three more hits, including a game-tying single late in the game that helped the Drillers rally for a 4-3 win over Travelers at ONEOK Field.

A little more than an hour before game time, word arrived that the big trade for Machado was close to finalizing and the Tulsa roster would be affected. The news forced a change in starting pitchers for the Drillers as Andrew Sopko got the late notice to replace Dean Kremer on the mound. Kremer was eventually included in the trade to Baltimore.

Sopko had no trouble preparing as the game was scoreless until the two teams traded runs in the fourth inning. After a single and a walk started the top of the fourth for Arkansas, Logan Taylor knocked in the first run of the game with an RBI single.

In the bottom of the inning, Scavuzzo launched a ball over the Busch Terrace beyond the left field fence to even the score at 1-1.

One night earlier, the Travelers Joey Curletta had two homers, including a heartbreaking game-winner in the ninth. The former Drillers outfielder struck again in the top of the fifth. Curletta continued his hot streak against Tulsa and gave the Travs a 3-1 lead on a two-run homer that landed in the bullpen in right field.

In the bottom of the fifth, with two outs, Tyler Goeddel singled and Drew Jackson got hit by a pitch to put a couple of runners on. Luke Raley followed by grounding a ball that found a hole between the first and second baseman for an RBI single, cutting the Tulsa deficit to 3-2.

The score remained the same until the bottom of the eighth. Jackson and Will Smith walked in front of Scavuzzo. The Drillers hottest hitter did not disappoint, and struck again with a clutch RBI single to tie the game. The Travs then intentionally walked Zach Reks to set up a double play ball, but D.J. Peters had other plans. On the first pitch, he delivered a deep fly ball to left for a sacrifice fly that gave the Drillers a 4-3 lead.

The Travelers did not go quietly in the ninth. After Donnie Walton was hit by a pitch to start the inning, Stetson Allie was called upon for the save chance. Allie struck out the first batter on three pitches, but Walton swiped second to put the tying run in scoring position. Allie then got Chuck Taylor to line out before intentionally walking Eric Filia.

Having already knocked in two runs, Curletta stepped in and looked to be a hero for the Travs for a second-straight night. He hit a hard grounder into the hole, but shortstop Jackson made a diving, backhanded grab before jumping up and throwing to first to end the game and preserve the Drillers 4-3 victory and the series win over the Travs.

WHAT YOU MISSED

*The trade that brought Machado to the Dodgers sent five minor leaguers to Baltimore, including three Drillers. Yusniel Diaz, Kremer and Zach Pop were all on the Drillers roster and a part of the package. Diaz played in 59 games with the Drillers hit .314 in Tulsa this season. Zach Pop was recently called up from Rancho Cucamonga, but did not make an appearance for the Drillers. Kremer made one start with Tulsa, a seven-inning complete game shutout on July 5.

*Sopko was supposed to start the series opener against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Thursday night, but was given the nod after Kremer was scratched. Sopko worked five innings and kept the Drillers in the game after giving up only three runs.

*Scavuzzo notched three more hits and extended his hitting streak to 20 games. He is now seven games shy of tying the Drillers record of 27 straight games with a hit, set by Ruben Mateo in 1996.

*Yadier Alvarez, Devin Smeltzer and Allie combined for four scoreless innings out of the Drillers bullpen.

UP NEXT

The Drillers will head to Springdale to start a four-game series with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Thursday night. First pitch at Arvest Ballpark is scheduled for 7:05 PM, and the probable starters have not been determined.

Check out the Tulsa Drillers Statistics

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Texas League Stories from July 19, 2018


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