Jackson and Smith Homer in Drillers Victory
July 7, 2018 - Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The Tulsa Drillers offense did just enough against the Frisco RoughRiders on Saturday night. Errol Robinson provided a timely hit, and Drew Jackson and Will Smith provided the home run power in the Drillers 7-6 victory at ONEOK Field.
Drillers starting pitcher Andrew Sopko recorded two quick outs in the top of the first, but Frisco rallied for an early run. After a hit batter and a single, Juremi Profar delivered an RBI single to put the Riders in front 1-0.
In the bottom of the first, the first three Drillers reached to load the bases. Will Smith then knocked a clutch single to left to tie things up. Zach Reks followed with an RBI groundout that gave the Drillers a 2-1 lead.
Frisco added a pair of runs in the second, and one more on a solo-home run in the fourth by Destin Hood, but Tulsa rallied for three runs in the bottom of the fourth. After a walk and two singles loaded the bases for the Drillers, RoughRiders starter Jonathan Hernandez threw a wild pitch that plated a run. Errol Robinson followed with a looping single that dropped in front of the right fielder, bringing in two runs and giving the Drillers a 5-4 lead.
An inning later, Michael De Leon tied things up with a solo home run, but the Drillers took the lead back in the bottom of the sixth. Drew Jackson led the inning off, and crushed a sky-high opposite field home run to right that gave the Drillers a 6-5 lead.
Will Smith added a run in the bottom of the seventh after a blast into the Busch Terrace in left field. The insurance run would prove to be beneficial going into the top of the ninth. Hood led the inning off for Frisco and hit a ball to deep center. D.J. Peters was running back and looked to have caught the ball, but it fell out of his glove for an error. Luis Mendez then singled to pull within one.
After two walks loaded the bases, Dylan Baker was called upon to record the final out for the Drillers. He threw two balls to Juremi Profar, but came all the way back and struck him out to preserve the 7-6 victory for the Drillers.
WHAT YOU MISSED
*With his two hits on Saturday, Robinson extended his hitting streak to seven games. He has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games.
*In the bottom of the eighth, Jackson swiped both second and third. He now has 15 steals on the year.
*Stetson Allie worked two scoreless innings out of the pen for the Drillers and earned his first Double-A win.
*Baker recorded his seventh save of the season.
UP NEXT
The Drillers will take on the RoughRiders again on Sunday. It will be the first Sunday night game at ONEOK Field this season with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM. The probable starting pitchers will be:
FRI Pedro Payano (3-6, 6.16 ERA)
TUL TBA
Texas League Stories from July 7, 2018
- Paddack Impresses in Debut as Missions Roll Past Travs - San Antonio Missions
- Martinez Walks It off for Cardinals in 10th - Springfield Cardinals
- Offense Stymied in Loss to Missions - Arkansas Travelers
- Jackson and Smith Homer in Drillers Victory - Tulsa Drillers
- Raspas Spin Another Shutout - Corpus Christi Hooks
- De Leon Tees off in 7-6 Loss to Drillers - Frisco RoughRiders
- Naturals Chilled by Raspas in 4-0 Loss - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Travs Hooked in Finale by the Bay - Arkansas Travelers
- Naturals Avoid Sweep - San Antonio Missions
- Mieses 2-Run Homer Caps 5-Run Comeback Win for Cards - Springfield Cardinals
- Raspas Roll Friday Night - Corpus Christi Hooks
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