Martinez Pitches Drillers to Win
Published on August 27, 2021 under Texas League (TL)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
WICHITA, KS- In a series that's been deadlocked all season, Thursday night's contest proved to be no different as the Tulsa Drillers were able to survive a ninth-inning rally from the Wichita Wind Surge for a 4-2 win. Tulsa starting pitcher Jose Martinez shut down the Wind Surge offense early, tossing six scoreless innings, including four hitless innings to begin the game at Riverfront Stadium.
The win puts Tulsa ahead 14-13 in the Coors Light Propeller series with only three games remaining. The win also helps the Drillers in the playoff race as they are now four games back from Wichita and just 2.5 games back from Frisco, the teams with the two best records in the Double-A Central.
The Drillers were unfazed facing Wichita ace Jordan Balazovic, collecting nine hits that resulted in four runs scored off the number 3 prospect in the Minnesota Twins system.
The game was locked at 0-0 until the Drillers attacked the Wichita ace in the fourth. With two runners on, Kody Hoese drove the first run of the game in with a single. Devin Mann brought two more runs in for Tulsa with a ground-rule double to left, for a 3-0 lead.
Tulsa added a fourth run in the fifth. After two singles put two Drillers on base, Hunter Feduccia singled to left bringing Michael Busch to the plate.
Justin Hagenman followed Martinez on the mound, pitching 1.2 scoreless innings.
Wichita rallied against Zach Willeman in the ninth to make the game interesting. After a leadoff walk, Trey Cabbage hit a two-run homer to bring the game to 4-2. From there, Willeman retired the next three batters to secure the victory.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
*Martinez worked 6.0 innings on Thursday night. He has hit the six-inning mark just one other time this season, on June 16 pitching for High-A Great Lakes.
*Ryan Noda continues to have a hot series against Wichita, as he has now scored a run in all three games.
*Tulsa was only able to earn hits off Wind Surge starter Balazovic. The Drillers did not earn a hit off the Wind Surge's bullpen.
UP NEXT
The Coors Light Propeller Series continues when Tulsa meets Wichita in game four of their six-game series on Friday, August 27 at 7:05 PM at Riverfront Stadium.
The pitching matchup is scheduled to be RHP Clayton Beeter (0-0, 3.00 ERA) for the Drillers against RHP Chris Vallimont (5-5, 6.08 ERA) for the Wind Surge.
Watch or listen live on MiLB.tv or AM 1430 The Buzz on the iHeartRadio app.
Texas League Stories from August 27, 2021
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- Walk-Off Walk Pushes Travs over Hooks - Arkansas Travelers
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- Martinez Pitches Drillers to Win - Tulsa Drillers
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- Henry Tosses Five Scoreless in 4-1 Win over Riders - Amarillo Sod Poodles
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