Ferguson Strong in Drillers Shutout Loss
April 18, 2018 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Errol Robinson of the Tulsa Drillers connects on one of his two hits
(Tulsa Drillers, Credit: Matt Christensen)
After scoring 29 combined runs in the first two games of the series, scoring was hard to come by on Tuesday night in the series finale between the Tulsa Drillers and Midland RockHounds. In the end, a ninth inning rally by the Hounds was the difference as the Drillers were defeated 1-0 at ONEOK Field.
One night removed from Dennis Santana fanning ten batters in his start, Caleb Ferguson picked up right where he left off. The lefty struck out six in the first two innings, and nine total in his five innings of work. The Hounds managed only two singles off of Ferguson and scored no runs.
A crucial point in the game came in the top of the seventh. Midland had runners on first and second when third baseman Mikey White slapped a single to left. Kyle Garlick fielded it cleanly and made a perfect throw to catcher Will Smith who made a clean tag and preserved the scoreless tie.
Karch Kowalczyk and Corey Copping combined to pitch three scoreless relief innings and keep the shutout intact.
The Drillers had a golden opportunity in the bottom of the eighth to push a run across. Errol Robinson led the inning off with a double, but three straight strikeouts ended the threat and kept the score 0-0.
Dylan Baker replaced Copping on the mound in the top of the ninth and he got the first two RockHounds by way of a ground out and a strikeout. Midland then strung together a pair of singles to put runners at first and second.
Tyler Marincov made it three straight singles with a liner to right field that Luke Raley fielded cleanly and fired home. On a close play at the plate, Sean Murphy was ruled safe, giving Midland a 1-0 lead. The play ended the night for Tulsa manager Scott Hennessey, who came out to argue the call and was ejected from the game by home plate umpire Tyler Olson.
The Drillers did not go quietly in the bottom of the ninth. After making two quick outs, Keibert Ruiz, Peter O'Brien and Drew Jackson drew three consecutive walks to load the bases for Robinson. The threat would come to an end as the Tulsa shortstop grounded into a force on the first pitch to give Midland the 1-0 win and the series victory.
WHAT YOU MISSED
*In Ferguson's first start of the season, he only lasted 0.2 innings. In his last two starts, he has given up just one run in 9.2 innings while striking out 15.
*Jackson currently has the longest hitting streak on the Drillers at eight games.
*D.J. Peters now has a six-game hitting streak and leads the team in batting average at .353.
*The game marked the third time this season the Drillers have been shutout, but the first time at ONEOK Field.
*Earlier on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers made a roster move as Emmanuel De Leon was transferred from the Drillers to Oklahoma City, and Wes Darvill was taken off the disabled list and activated to the Tulsa roster.
UP NEXT
After a day off, the Drillers will return to action on Thursday night when they will head to Springdale to face the Northwest Arkansas Naturals for the first time this season. The probable starters in the opening game are:
TULSA RHP Justin De Fratus (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
NW ARKANSAS LHP Emilio Ogando (1-1, 7.00 ERA)
Images from this story
 Errol Robinson of the Tulsa Drillers connects on one of his two hits (Matt Christensen) |
Texas League Stories from April 18, 2018
- Drillers Home for Brief 2-Game Set this Weekend, April 21 & 22 - Tulsa Drillers
- 8 Game Series against Cardinals and Drillers April 19 - 26 - Arkansas Travelers
- Delino DeShields to Rehab with RoughRiders Starting Thursday, April 19 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Homestand Highlights: April 19 - April 20 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Riders Foundation Names 2018 Teachers of the Month - Frisco RoughRiders
- Late Flurry Lifts Travs to Win in Corpus Christi - Arkansas Travelers
- Naturals Edge Missions to Take Series - San Antonio Missions
- Hooks Fall in Homestand Finale - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Ferguson Strong in Drillers Shutout Loss - Tulsa Drillers
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