Drillers Win in De Leon's Return
August 6, 2015 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The Tulsa Drillers opened a four-game homestand with Northwest Arkansas Thursday night, and it was a good opening for a pair of reasons. First, the Drillers posted a 6-2 victory over the Naturals. Secondly, they also saw the successful return of starting pitcher Jose De Leon.
De Leon was activated from the disabled list prior to the game and made his first appearance on the mound for the Drillers since July 16, and he was outstanding. He was limited to only two innings of work and retired all six batters he faced, including three on strikeouts.
The Drillers never trailed in the game after jumping on top by scoring in each of the first two innings. Ronald Torreyes and Peter Lavin opened the bottom of the first with consecutive singles. Torreyes came home with the game's first run on a fielder's choice grounder off the bat of Lars Anderson.
In the second, Brandon Trinkwon drew a leadoff walk. One out later, Yadir Drake belted his third homer of the season to give the Drillers a 3-0 lead. It was Drake's first homer since May 7.
The Naturals got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth as Raul Mondesi tripled off Jharel Cotton with a drive over the head of centerfielder Peter Lavin. With two outs, Mondesi came home with the Naturals first run when Cotton uncorked a wild pitch.
Northwest Arkansas crept closer with another run in the fifth. Jorge Bonifacio doubled and scored on a two-out single by Parker Morin to cut Tulsa's lead to 3-2.
The Naturals would get no closer as the Drillers added two more runs in the bottom half of the sixth. Ronald Torreyes drew a walk and scored all the way from first when Anderson bounced a double into the right field corner. Torreyes was called safe after sliding around the tag attempt of catcher Morin. On the next pitch, Anderson came home to make it 5-2 when Kyle Farmer doubled off the base of the centerfield wall.
Tulsa capped the scoring with a run in the bottom of the eighth. Brandon Trinkwon singled and scored on a base hit by Drake.
Cotton worked five innings and allowed only the two runs to pick up the win in his first relief appearance for the Drillers. The right-hander surrendered only three hits and one walk while striking out five. The victory improved his Tulsa record to 3-4.
Jorge De Leon worked a scoreless eighth inning, and Caleb Dirks retired two batters in the ninth. Ryan Dennick came on to record the final out to collect his second save.
Brian Burgamy was a late scratch from Tulsa's starting lineup. He was in manager Razor Shines' initial lineup, but was removed after batting practice and was placed on the disabled list with a toe injury. Nate Samson was activated to replace Burgamy on the roster.
The two teams will play the second game of their four-game series Friday night at ONEOK Field. Julio Urias (1-4, 3.30 ERA) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Drillers, while Kyle Zimmer (1-0, 2.21 ERA) will take the mound for the Naturals. Starting time is slated for 7:05PM.
Texas League Stories from August 6, 2015
- Brinson's Huge Night Sends Riders to 9-7 Win - Frisco RoughRiders
- Drillers Win in De Leon's Return - Tulsa Drillers
- - Naturals Fall in Series Opener, 6-2 in Tulsa - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Texas Rangers Call up Former Rider Luke Jackson - Frisco RoughRiders
- RoughRiders Helping Fans "Beat the Heat" this Weekend in Frisco - Frisco RoughRiders
- Mier, Musgrove at Whataburger Friday - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Starling, Zimmer Named Naturals Players of the Month - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Swing Away ... and Buckle Up - Midland RockHounds
- Hooks Erupt in 11th to Cap Sweep - San Antonio Missions
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