TL1 Tulsa Drillers

Missions Spoil Smeltzer's Strong Outing

Published on May 30, 2018 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release


Tulsa Drillers pitcher Devin Smeltzer
Tulsa Drillers pitcher Devin Smeltzer
(Tulsa Drillers)

One day after Tulsa pitchers surrendered 11 runs and a season high in hits, the Drillers got an impressive start on the mound from Devin Smeltzer Wednesday night, but the result was another loss to San Antonio. The lefthander did not allow a hit until the seventh inning, but that runner later scored the game's first run in what was eventually a 2-0 win for the Missions at ONEOK Field.

Smeltzer turned in one of the best outings by a Tulsa pitcher this season, opening the game by retiring the first 15 Missions' batters in order. The first base runner came when Michael Gettys worked a walk to lead off the top of the sixth.

The first hit for San Antonio did not come until Ty France doubled to open the seventh. Smeltzer retired the next two hitters but was removed with two outs and France still on second base.

Brian Moran was summoned from the bullpen and walked River Stevens to put runners at first and second. Gettys delivered the game's key play when he dropped a hit into right-center field. France easily scored on the hit, but Stevens was thrown out at the plate on a relay throw from shortstop Errol Robinson. Stevens collided with Tulsa catcher Keibert Ruiz on the play, and both players received treatment from their team's respective trainers. Ruiz remained in the Tulsa lineup, but Stevens was taken out of the game.

The Missions added an insurance run in the ninth off reliever Dylan Baker to double their lead.

The Drillers were limited to only three hits in the loss with the last one coming on a two-out single by Connor Joe in the sixth inning.

With the defeat, Tulsa saw its losing streak extended to a season high four straight games.

WHAT YOU MISSED

*Smeltzer turned in the longest outing of the season for a Tulsa pitcher, working 6.2 innings. He allowed just the one hit and was charged with the one run. He walked two batters and struck out seven. The hard-luck loss dropped his record to 1-5.

*San Antonio also got a strong start on the mound from Jacob Nix. In his first appearance of the season, Nix allowed only two hits in four shutout innings. The right-hander had been out since March with a groin injury.

*It was only the third time this season that Tulsa has been shutout, and the second time at ONEOK Field.

*Yusniel Diaz accounted for two of the Drillers three hits, finishing with a pair of singles.

UP NEXT

The Drillers will close out their series with the Missions Thursday night at ONEOK Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM in downtown Tulsa, and the starting pitchers are slated to be:

SA Logan Allen (6-2, 3.62 ERA)

TUL Tyler Pill (0-1, 5.40 ERA)

Check out the Tulsa Drillers Statistics

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Tulsa Drillers pitcher Devin Smeltzer
Tulsa Drillers pitcher Devin Smeltzer
   



Texas League Stories from May 30, 2018


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