Knack, Offense Give Drillers Consecutive Wins Over Arkansas
June 10, 2023 - Texas League (TL)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
Tulsa Drillers' Landon Knack in action
(Tulsa Drillers, Credit: Rich Crimi)
TULSA, OK- The Tulsa Drillers earned their second straight win over the Arkansas Travelers Saturday night, increasing their first-place lead. Landon Knack delivered the longest start of the season by a Drillers pitcher and was backed by an offense that scored 11 runs on 16 hits in the Drillers 11-2 win at ONEOK Field.
The victory gives the Drillers a two-game lead in the Texas League North, guaranteeing that the Drillers will end this series in first place with just 13 games left in the race for the first-half title.
The Drillers took advantage of a lead-off walk to score their first run in the opening frame. After Austin Gauthier drew the walk, consecutive singles from Yusniel Diaz and Diego Cartaya allowed Gauthier to score and give the Drillers a 1-0 lead.
Another walk helped Tulsa score two more runs in the second inning. After Brandon Lewis drew a free pass, a triple from Josh Stowers brought him home. One batter later, Stowers scored on Gauthier's second hit of the game.
Tulsa scored four runs in the fourth inning on a three-run homer from Jose Ramos and Cartaya's solo blast.
Knack made another stellar start, tossing four perfect innings to begin the game. He worked a total of 7.2 innings and threw a season-high 101 pitches, earning his second win. He allowed only four hits and did not walk a batter. Knack's only blemish came in the fifth inning when Robert Perez hit a two-run homer into the Budweiser Terrace.
Tulsa scored four more runs to earn its largest lead of the night. In the sixth, a throwing error allowed Gauthier to score from second base. In the eighth, Jorbit Vivas drove in two runs on a double to center, and Kody Hoese produced Tulsa's eleventh run with a sacrifice fly.
Lefty Ben Harris replaced Knack in the eighth and recorded the final four outs to give the Drillers their 37th win of the season.
HIGHLIGHTS AND HAPPENINGS:
*Knack continued to succeed against the Travelers on Saturday as he worked a season-high 7.2 innings with eight strikeouts. In his previous start against Arkansas on April 29, he struck out a career high 11 batters.
*Ramos blasted his 12th home run of the season, which ties for third most in the Texas League. He also drove in three runs for the second straight game.
*Tulsa is now 26-9 when scoring first.
*Gauthier and Diaz each recorded three hits in the game. Gauthier led the team with three runs scored.
*The Drillers scored at least seven runs in the game and that means fans can purchase a large, one-topping pizza from Mazzio's for just $7 on Sunday. The special offer is good throughout the day and is only available online at Mazzios.com when you use the code DRILLERS at checkout.
UP NEXT:
The Drillers will look to split the series on Sunday afternoon when the two teams play the final game of the six-game series. First pitch at ONEOK Field is set for 1:05 p.m. and the starting pitchers are scheduled to be:
ARK - RHP Emerson Hancock (6-2, 5.44 ERA)
TUL - RHP Nick Frasso (1-2, 1.69 ERA)
Images from this story
 Tulsa Drillers' Landon Knack in action (Rich Crimi) |
• Discuss this story on the Texas League message board...
Texas League Stories from June 10, 2023
- Riders Roll for Saturday Night Win - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Knack Knocks Travs Down a Notch - Arkansas Travelers
- Knack, Offense Give Drillers Consecutive Wins Over Arkansas - Tulsa Drillers
- Bullpen Sparkles as San Antonio Defeats Wichita - San Antonio Missions
- Garcia Brilliant in 9-4 Win Over Corpus - Frisco RoughRiders
- Wind Surge Continue to Struggle in Road Series - Wichita Wind Surge
- Cardinals Fall 6-2 in Game 4 Against Naturals - Springfield Cardinals
- Three Home Runs Give Cardinals Series Win Over Naturals - Springfield Cardinals
- Bowlan K's Eight; NWA Snaps 15-Game Road Losing Streak - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
