TL1 Tulsa Drillers

Gustafson Survives Scare, Out-Duels Ferguson

June 21, 2013 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


For five innings Friday night, Northwest Arkansas right-hander Andy Ferguson held the Tulsa Drillers without a hit. When the Drillers finally ended the no-hit bid, they also ended Ferguson's shutout. Tulsa strung together three hits and scored two times in the sixth inning, and Tim Gustafson and a trio of relievers made it hold up as the Drillers defeated the Naturals 2-0 before another sellout crowd at ONEOK Field.

The two runs were enough for Gustafson who was outstanding. He blanked the Naturals through six innings on only five hits. The right-hander issued four walks and recorded five strikeouts while evening his record at 5-5.

Tim Gustafson pitched six shutout innings in Tulsa's 2-0 win over Northwest Arkansas Friday night at ONEOK Field.

Gustafson survived a scare in the top of the fifth. After a leadoff single, a double play left the bases empty with two outs, but Hernandez prolonged the inning with a base hit. Navarro then hit a liner that struck Gustafson and caromed into left field for a double. Following a visit to the mound from trainer Chris Dovey and pitching coach Darryl Scott, Gustafson remained in the game and walked Eibner to load the bases. He escaped the jam and preserved his shutout by striking out Orlando Calixte.

The Drillers finally broke through against Ferguson in the bottom of the sixth. Delta Cleary Jr. ended the right-hander's no-hit effort when he dropped a single into left field to open the inning. Following a sacrifice bunt from Cristhian Adames that moved Cleary Jr. into scoring position, Angelys Nina opened the scoring with a triple into the gap in left-center field.

With Nina at third, Kiel Roling grounded out, but Dustin Garneau delivered a clutch, two-out hit with a lined single into left field to give Tulsa a 2-0 lead.

Isaiah Froneberger took over to open the seventh and survived a one out, bases loaded situation to preserve the shutout.

Mike Marbry pitched a scoreless eighth before turning the final inning over to former Naturals' hurler Cole White. White began the season with Northwest Arkansas before being released by the Kansas City Royals. He played a key role in the Drillers first-half title, saving five games.

White surrendered a leadoff single to Ramon Hernandez before walking Rey Navarro. With runners at first and second at no outs, the right-hander got a double play grounder off the bat of Brett Eibner. The Tulsa closer then ended the contest by striking out Orlando Calixte on a 95 m.p.h. fastball.

The Drillers defense contributed to the victory with four key double plays. In addition, the Naturals stranded 11 base runners in the game.

The two teams will continue their four-game series with game three Saturday night. Pitcher Collin McHugh will make his Drillers debut. McHugh pitched in the majors earlier this season with the New York Mets. The Naturals will send Jason Adam (2-8, 6.23 ERA) to the mound. First pitch at ONEOK Field is scheduled for 7:05PM.

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Texas League Stories from June 21, 2013


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