Reks' Four RBI, Robinson's Two Homers Lead Drillers to Victory
Published on May 23, 2018 under Texas League (TL1)
Tulsa Drillers News Release
The Tulsa Drillers headed to San Antonio on Tuesday night to open a three-game series with the Missions who carry the Texas League's best record. Zach Reks and Errol Robinson led the way, as the Drillers put together 16 hits and defeated the Missions 9-6.
It did not take long for the Drillers to get on the board. Colin Rea got the nod on the mound for the Missions, and Luke Raley jumped on the rehabbing major leaguer's second pitch of the game and roped a double. After D.J. Peters walked, Zach Reks knocked in a pair of runs with a double down the line to left to put Tulsa on top 2-0.
The Missions came roaring back in the bottom of the first. The inning started with Drillers starter Mitchell White hitting the leadoff man before allowing a single. Ty France then launched a long homer to right to give the Missions a 3-2 lead.
San Antonio added another run in the bottom of the second with a solo-shot to center by Fernando Tatis Jr.
The Drillers plated a pair of runs over the next two innings. In the top of the third, Peters doubled and Reks knocked him in with an RBI single. In the fourth, Errol Robinson led the inning off with his third long-ball of the season to even the score at 4-4.
The back-and-fourth contest continued in the bottom of the fifth. After the first two men reached, the Drillers went to the bullpen, bringing on Chad Girodo to face Ty France. France promptly notched an RBI single to put the Missions back on top.
San Antonio added another run in the seventh, but the Drillers rallied in the top of the eighth. Robinson led the inning off by crushing his second homer of the game. A single and two walks loaded the bases for Raley who legged out a soft single to second base for an RBI. Peters then brought home two more runs with a single to center, and Reks capped off the five-run inning with a sacrifice fly to give the Drillers a 9-6 lead.
This would be all that the Drillers would need as reliever Dylan Baker recorded three straight groundouts in the bottom of the ninth to seal the 9-6 victory.
WHAT YOU MISSED
*Reks had a huge night by going a perfect 4-4 with 4 RBI. In 12 games with the Drillers, he is batting .447 with 12 RBI.
*Raley extended his hitting streak to 12 games, tying Jacob Scavuzzo for the longest streak this season.
*Robinson's long-ball in the eighth inning was the Drillers 70th home run of the season.
*The Drillers are back on top of the Texas League North Division after the Springfield Cardinals were defeated in Corpus Christi.
*Tuesday was the first chance for the Drillers to face highly touted prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. who was 3-4 with an RBI in the game. He is the San Diego Padres top prospect and is the seventh overall prospect in Major League Baseball according to MLB.com. His father, Fernando Tatis Sr. was a former Driller and enjoyed an 11-year Major League career with five different teams.
*A storm in the Houston area delayed the Drillers first leg of their trip to San Antonio. The team had to rush to their connecting flight that was being held up to finish the trip to San Antonio.
*There was a 31-minute rain delay in the top of the seventh.
UP NEXT
The Drillers will face the Missions in game two of the three-game set on Wednesday night at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium in San Antonio at 7:05 PM. The probable starters are:
TUL Devin Smeltzer (1-3, 7.02 ERA)
SA Cal Quantrill (2-3, 5.32 ERA)
Texas League Stories from May 23, 2018
- Pitching Propels Missions in Series-Evening Win - San Antonio Missions
- Missions Edge Drillers 4-3 - Tulsa Drillers
- $1 Tickets for Baby Supplies + New 'Woof' Wednesdays - Springfield Cardinals
- Mariscal Delivers Game-Winning RBI as Travs Get Clutch Late - Arkansas Travelers
- Tulsa's Late Rally Steals Opener from San Antonio - San Antonio Missions
- Reks' Four RBI, Robinson's Two Homers Lead Drillers to Victory - Tulsa Drillers
- Hooks Rally Past Cardinals in Road Trip Opener - Springfield Cardinals
- Frenzied Fifth Finishes Cards - Corpus Christi Hooks
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